Our 2014 Spring Fling

After the long cold winter this year we were looking at getting away for a week or so in search of warm weather. Starting with a visit to West Hartford to hug two grandchildren, Don and I ventured off to New York City for a day to visit the International Car Show. We had happened upon this show a few years ago, and Don was determined to go again. Tax season was over, a job Don has held for a few years, so we were ready for a different environment. The show is held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. We go into New York frequently and always use the Metro North train as it gets us there in about an hour. We walked the mile or so and had a great time seeing all of the great new cars and motorcycles.

On Saturday, we headed south for Virginia. We were heading for Williamsburg, a place we visited a few years ago, but had missed a lot of things like Jamestown and Yorktown. We were hoping for some nice warm weather and got it for one day before the rains came. We crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, , a modern marvel on Virginia's eastern shore. 

We ate dinner at a small restaurant overlooking the bay and watched people fishing from the pier.

We arrived at our Condo at Williamsburg Plantation Saturday night and awoke Sunday to a beautiful day. Most of our week was spent exploring the historic triangle of Williamsburg. Loved hearing about the ongoing archeological dig at Jamestown Plantation. We skipped Williamsburg this trip as we had been there. The weather could have been worse as a lot of the eastern United Staes was experiencing pounding rain and tornadoes. We lucked out and were able to see a lot.

We visited the Yorktown Battlefield, the Moore House where Cornwallis surrendered, and the Yorktown Victory Center where they exhibit a military camp, farm, and have a wonderful museum. 

The Moore House

From there on to the largest winery in the area, the Williamsburg Winery for a wine tasting session. Don is not a wine lover, but he was a good sport and tried them all. We bought a couple of bottles to take home. On Friday we decided to head home, but I really wanted to stop in Chincoteague and Assateague on the way home, so we reserved a room and off we went. Assateague Island, on Virginia's eastern shore is home to two bands of wild ponies that have been there for over 300 years. The island is split between Virginia and Maryland and the two distinct herds are managed quite differently. As a child, having read Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, I was fascinated about the whole trip and the visit to the National Park gave us the opportunity to see the wild ponies in the spring. We saw ponies ready to foal and some new foals that were just born. There is also an amazing beach on Assateague that goes on forever and a beautiful old lighthouse. It is a place we would like to revisit and stay longer.

All in all, it was a great 10 days. Visiting grandchildren at the beginning and end of the trip made it even more special.  Another road trip under our belts.