Virginia

Vintage postcard map of Virginia

When I was about four years old, our family lived in Arlington, Virginia.  I was too young to remember much except the house we lived in.  Family photos from that time include some from Skyline Drive.  Years later I insisted my husband take that drive since I did not remember the childhood trip.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are two very scenic byways with areas to stop to enjoy the views. 

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Virginia is a large state with everything from mountains to beaches.  The Appalachian Mountains, The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau are in western Virginia while beaches can be found on the Atlantic Ocean.  Chesapeake Bay is popular for water sports.  There are a few large cities but the majority of Virginia is rural with smaller cities and towns along with farmland and forests.

Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway

A few years ago we spent a week in Arlington, a city adjacent to Washington D. C.   We found it convenient as a place to stay while touring Washington D. C. since the Metro was only a short walk from our hotel and allowed us to see everything in D.C. without having to rely on an automobile, get lost or stuck in traffic. The highlights of Washington D. C. will be in a separate post. 

Iwo Jima Statue

While in Virginia we visited Arlington National Cemetery, spending a few moments at the grave of John F. Kennedy and then at the memorials to those fallen in battle.  We watched the ritual of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.    We also toured George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, which is nearby.  Other places I would like to have seen if we had a few more days of vacation were the Marine Corp Museum in Prince William and the Air Force Memorial which is adjacent to the Arlington National Cemetery.

The Flower Garden at Mount Vernon

Luray Caverns, National Bridge, Natural Tunnel and the Great Dismal Swamp are all interesting natural places to see.  Jamestown was the original settlement in Virginia and Williamsburg was the capitol city in the 18^th century.  Both have outdoor interactive exhibit museums.  Jamestown shows life as it was for those first settlers while Williamsburg features life in the 18^th century.  Find your “must see” places by visiting their website at http://www.virginia.org

Amphitheater at Luray Caverns