June 19th

Next stop, Grottoes, VA for the Grand Caverns (Cavern #1 on the trip route)
The guide was a bit cheesy, but the caverns were quite pleasant.

There really are amazing sights to see.

Just be sure to take a tri-pod, otherwise the shutter captures too much movement in the low light level... Real life, as un-still life. Apparently, graffiti has always been around...A road side view of Virginia during our travels toward Luray.

Now this is the labyrinth I was looking for -- 1 mile of maze within a 7 foot hedge!
This place really was so much fun...

Even with all it's dead ends, we found all 4 goals and our way out!

This is also the only time it rained on our trip -- good thing they provided umbrellas at the start!
Their slogan: "Get Lost!"

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And here we are at Luray Caverns (cavern stop #2).

I didn't care for the irritating attitude of our guide here.

But the reflections in the water really were amazing. (Look again, it's above.)

Here are the famous fried eggs/oysters.

And we're off, again...

June 20th

We're now in Front Royal, VA.

Before I get on to pictures, I'll share a fact I learned because we were curious...

The name came about from a frustrated commander trying to get his soldiers to face the same direction -- he ordered "Front to the Royal Oak." Bystanders were amused and the name stuck.
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Now entering, Skyline Caverns (#3 if you're keeping track).

You too could possibly get a private tour as we did. No extra charge. Just arrive early in the day, probably a week day helps too.
And here's the amazing find that is unique to this cavern... Anthodites (aka Calcite Cave Flower). ~

This guide was rather amusing... His ending statement summed it up: If you enjoyed the tour, my name is Kirby, if not, it's Mike. (in reference to leaving comments)
~

We headed back to town to see if there was anything for us to see or do. There were the historical things, however, that wasn't peaking our interest at the moment. So we tried an art gallery & the such, but it wasn't our thing. There was however one quite amusing sight at an Amish store - let's see if you agree... (you may need to click on it to enlarge it for better enjoyment)

Well, what do you think?

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Next stop, Winchester, VA for the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and The Gardens...
Should you go there (& you should), go to the gardens first, then the tea room (get some Bourbon Street Vanilla there, or to take home, or both!), then the museum (there's a house too, but we didn't go there, so I have no idea about that). We got lucky & were able to stay longer due to a wedding in the gardens. I could have used an extra 10 minutes or so, but that extra 20 minutes was wonderful! (And we didn't even know until we were asked to leave!)

I managed to awaken an idle bird, but it was not too disturbed by us, as it didn't fly off.

Then our final destination was home.

Home again, home again, jiggety jog...

Birthday Party

Miss Mary... ... turns one!
hugging the cake mmmm
it's really good! no! not a bath!all clean

We're off to see the Wizard!

Ok, not really the Wizard. But we're off to see... many people. By "we" I mean, my mom & I. (Or is that, my mom & me? I can't recall that lesson -- it was a rushed one the last week of school...) She arrived at my house yesterday evening. Perfect timing to crash a birthday party dinner. Ok, not really crash. My sister-in-law knew in advance & had a plate for her, my mom was the one surprised. No, not a surprise party for my mom. It was for my brother-in-law, at my sister-in-law's next door. Kapeesh?

Back to the story...

She arrived Thursday evening. We celebrated Craig's birthday -- complete with a birthday volcano! VOL-CA-NO vol-CANO VOOOLLLL-CAAAA-NOOOO (Refer to the vacation blog for a clue.) After that I finished packing. Yes, the procrastinator I was had to do it. (Procrastinators unite... tomorrow!) I did actually have piles & a list, but somehow that actual bit of putting it together just takes me a while.

Due to my brain running a mile a minute I didn't fall asleep for a bit. I was almost ready for bed, then remembered I forgot to grab tissues for the car/travels in general. (Pretty congested lately, can't go without tissues!) Then after I was in bed, lights out & all, I remembered I needed to pack tea. So I got up, grabbed a box & threw it in my "pack tomorrow" pile. (AKA laundry basket with things I used before getting ready for bed) That way I'd at least remember in the morning, but not need to think about it all night. =) [I have a method.]

Up bright & early... showered, finished packing, out the door. All before Keith arose. We had a mission. Nothing Blues Brother like, but a mission nonetheless. Had to take care of banking needs with & for my grandmother, before noon Friday. Thus the early departure was required. (Seeing as she was 3.5 to 4 hours away... and I had to work Thursday -- it had to be done.) But we made it with time to spare. After that, we had a little lunch & ran some errands with her.

Now I'm at my dad's typing away for you. =)

The itinerary:
Visit with family (both sides) in Eastern PA Friday & Saturday morning.
Have lunch with "2nd mom" (childhood thing) & mom Saturday.
Saturday afternoon, off to MD to visit with my aunt & her family.
Monday sometime we'll be off to NC to visit my long lost KC!!!!
Hang out & enjoy my time...
Wednesday on the road again. This time to Monticello. Apparently I haven't been there for 20 years, and it's changed a lot! I look forward to it.
Friday back home again.
Saturday... relax & enjoy the anniversary of my birth. :)

I'm sure this is the last I will post during the week -- so until then...
Peace out man!
(I have no idea why that popped into my head. It was that, "On the road again" & "We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz!")

Backyard Beauties

Not exactly from our yard -- but I was standing in my yard when I took the pictures, so close enough!

Ooops -- forgot to go back & publish this!

I finally feel like the seasons have changed. Non-winter blooming plants are on the rise... particularly my irises! (Too bad it's taken til almost June to fell like spring has sprung.)

Meow~Meow~Meow Meow

Translation: Happy Birthday To You!

My fat cat is 10.

Belated & Advanced Congrats

I wanted to show off my cousin Chad's little girl -- she turned 1 this past Thursday. (I think she's such a cutie!) This is the most recent picture of her I have... but I'm not sure when it was taken. My grandmother gave it to me when I was visiting... (I can't remember when) -- I believe she received it in December (it wasn't dated). Hopefully I'll have a much more recent one soon since he is visiting as I type this. (I'll remember these dates!)Anyway as I said, Thursday was Jasmine's birthday. Happy Happy Birthday to you!!!
Friday, he & Dang got married! Congratulations to you both!!!!
[This is an old picture, possibly from his August visit last year (but don't hold me to that).]

It's gorgeous! (Doesn't it make you want to go to Thailand too?) I hope he brings home lots of pictures for my grandmother (cause she shares!).
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Oh, and next week is Dang's birthday (That's my "advanced" one.) -- So I hope you had a wonderful ceremony & have a delightful birthday.
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Best wishes! :)