VA fun!

Good Morning!

It’s about 6am on this fine rainy Saturday morning. Why up so early? Because I couldn’t sleep. I know, it’s a boring answer. In fact I’ve been up since 3am, which is going to make for a long day considering I’m attending a high school reunion this afternoon. There may be a slight chance I may squeeze in a nap before then- at least I can hope.  Enough about my unusual sleeping patterns.

It’s been exactly three weeks since I started this blog and I have a total of five followers, which I’m stoked about. In the last three weeks much has happened. First, I took my RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) exam and passed. This was for my work at the hospital and the last thing I needed to do after I completed my AS in Health Information Management.  I can’t tell you how good it feels to have this behind me. Now I can fully focus on my finishing my novel and sending it to a literary agent that expressed interest in my work. But before I could do that, I had to enjoy a little R & R which leads me to my second major event in the last three weeks.

During the week of Labor Day I went on vacation to Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky. Why would I leave the beautiful NW for the Midwest? Visiting my friends and visiting historical sites in VA. My dear friend, M,  is a major Civil War buff and makes the perfect traveling companion through VA, not to mention what a delightful woman she is to be around. So here are a few pictures from our trip.

Martha Washington Inn in Abdington, VA. We stayed in this lovely hotel that was used as a hospital during the Civil War. The third floor is supposedly haunted. That’s where we slept, but we didn’t hear or see anything. 

Yours truly with a view from the BlueRidge Parkway.

Virginia Military Institute with the statue of Stonewall Jackson.

Close up.

Staying at The Homestead, built in the 1700’s. This place was unbelievable and by far the finest most luxurious place I’ve ever slept in. I mean presidents come here to vacation or to make major political announcements.

M and I at the Jefferson Pools near the Homestead. These hot spring pools are the reason the Homestead was built. Many notable historical people have come and taken in these waters seeking relief from ailments. It was amazing to float about the pool and thinking about those individuals that had come here hundreds of years ago.

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Fascinating individual reflected in his home.

Inn at Meander Plantation. A bed and breakfast we stayed in. Built in the 1700’s. Jefferson and General Lafayette stayed here.

Montpelier, James and Dolly Madison’s home. This was the highlight of my trip. The energy that I felt as I walked through that house and the grounds will stay with me forever. It is here that I fell in love again with Dolly Madison. I remembered reading about her back in high school history class, but to actually be in her house and hear about her now, it was enough for me to go buy a thick book on this brilliant woman. That’s right I bought a book that had nothing about vampires! I also bought a book about the “Little Great Madison” because I’m absolutely fascinated by this incredible small man that became our fourth president and was one of the masterminds behind the Constitution.

A few other highlights on my trip was seeing my college roommates and caves. My trip became a caving adventure. 

Natural Bridge Caverns in  Natural Bridge, VA

Luray Caverns in Luray, VA

Mammoth Caves National Park, Kentucky

Great Onyx Cave at Mammoth Cave National Park. (Not connected to the Mammoth Cave System)

It was wonderful seeing my friends, caving, visiting historical sites, and staying in fantastic places, but man was it nice coming home. I sure missed my boys, all three of them. My cats haven't left my side since I've arrived.

This last week was spent catching up on household things and now it’s time to buckle down and write! This trip has been a huge source of inspiration, something I didn’t expect. So with that I sign off so I may get some writing in before my reunion.

Stay tuned, more to come on the novel. Maybe some snippets????

Cheers,