Philadelphia

On a whim I took the trailer to Philadelphia for the weekend.  My son and I stayed in the suburbs and had a very easy commute into the city.  This was the first time we stayed in the trailer in January but it didn't prove to be an issue at all since I had two electric heaters and the on-board propane heater; and really only needed one.  The campsite was very comfortable with a patio, fireplace, and relative seclusion.  It was especially nice coming home to in the evenings as each night was clear and cool revealing great starry skies.  It was also our first camping trip in Pennsylvania and the first of a conceptual "city" camping trip wherein I use the trailer as a base for exploring an urban, as opposed to rural, environment.  In every case it worked out for the best. 

We drove to Philly on Saturday morning and arrived at the campground at noon.  After setting up we went straight to the city with no particular plan.  I quickly found parking then went to the National Park Service Visitor Center for maps and a clue.  With both in hand we purused the nearby sights then took a carriage ride.  The conductor was extremely informative and gave us a relative plan for the rest of our stay and I quickly learned that Philadelphia has a lot to offer in the way of education and history for my son.  For some reason I thought it would have only a few things that would be of interest but was truly astounded at the educational value this city offers and resolved instantly that more trips were going to be necessary to give him a well-rounded Philadelphia education.  I visited Philadelphia many years ago for a college project but it was a targeted visit and I got from it only what I went for.  On this trip I realized the vastness of the city, how it was laid out, and gained a new appreciation for its proximity and offerings.  Realizing we wouldn't be able to do a fraction of the things I would have liked to we did a walking tour into the evening then hung out at Starbucks and watched the city denizens.  I am still contemplating some of the destitution I saw on this trip and it was more than I have realized.  After sleeping well we returned the following day with a plan, the Franklin Institute.  Once again I parked quickly, by the Boy Scouts of America building, without knowing, and ironically, then toured the Institute.  It was not the quick tour we are accustomed to at the Smithsonian, because we paid to get in and it is not readily accessible, and took up the better part of the day.  This museum has a great number of hands-on science exhibits for children and mine touched every one.  Within a few hours of interaction and demonstrations he was teaching me things and it was awesome.  From there we ate at Whole Foods, the grocery store, which is half way between the Institute and the Rocky Statue.  Having had a healthy meal and a break we went to the Rocky Statue where I tried to explain the movie to my son and the significance of the statue.  He laughed that so many people took their photo in front of the statue and ran the stairs based on a fictional move; one he had never seen by the way; then we took our photo in front of the statue and ran the stairs.  There are unexpected moments I wish I could save and relive - this is in the top 10.  We walked back to the Franklin Institue and revisited a few more exhibits then did a park and waterfront driving tour.  Although it got down to around 20 degrees overnight we were comfortable and warm and fully aware that our lodging was only $70 for the weekend.  I promised my son that when we returned we would watch Rocky to see what all the hype was about and now that I'm done writing that's how we are going to spend the evening. 

As a follow up we watched Rocky the evening we returned home and it completed the experience.  Watching him enjoy the movie was thrilling for both of us; me, becasue I had forgotten half of it and was seeing it through his eyes, and him, becasue he could identify with the city scenes.  When Rocky climbed the stairs during the movie my son was running in place, dancing up and down then commenced to do situps and pushups on the carpet. 

Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Williamsburg

For years I've been saying one of these days we'll get to Williamsburg around Christmas.  I can't quite say we've made it to Williamsburg yet but we did make it to Busch Gardens last week.  This may become an annual tradition it was so much fun.  During the day the park was interesting, to say the least but when the sun went down and the lights predominated it was spectacular.  My son generally keeps his excitement in check.  Even if he likes something I usually don't find out about it until much later.  There was no guessing Saturday night as it seemed something special lay around every corner.  We rode the train, went on rides, sipped hot chocolate, had a fantastic feast in the Germany section of the park and took in the timed light shows.  The whole thing was spectacular.  I am still going to plan a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, hopefully even this year.  Here are some of the photographs we took:
 



Lake Anna State Park, Virginia

If you're from the Washington DC Metropolitan Area it is likely you often hear advertisements about the development of the land surrounding Lake Anna.  Between the nuclear power plant and the commercial developers we can all appreciate the fact Virginia sequestered a wonderful section of land for the state park.  In doing so Virginia showed the same dedication in preserving it's commonwealth treasures as the federal government in the development of our national parks.  This land has been set aside for everyone to enjoy.  When I go to a park like Lake Anna the concept that we all own the land is reinforced by the multitude of activities we can do there.

Nice Day for a Triathalon

Lake Anna hosts several events in the Virginia Triathlon Series because of the pristine lakefront beach which is ideal for recreational swimming.  It has several miles of paved roads for road biking and is situated in an area boasting rolling hills and scenic paved backroads suitable for a variety of training routes.  The multiuse trails are fantastic for everything from beginner single track to cross-country running; even a leisurely stroll.  On a routine training day I've swam laps in the roped off section of beach, rode my mountain bike to the farthest trail and ran several loops.  Once your done training, expecially if you're staying in the well maintained campground, you can take a more relaxing evening swim.  The lake is an hour-and-a-half from Washington DC and is half freeway and half scenic drive through the countryside. 

I'm fond of camping so haven't spent a night in one of the cabins but have ran by them often enough to be curious as they are aesthetically pleasing and have great views of the lake.  I have stayed at the campground several times though and have never been disappointed.  The staff has always been friendly and accomodating, sites are well proportioned, and there is a moderate, comfortable hike to the beach.  The trail goes by a generous pond suitable for kids to explore and a group campfire and amphitheater.  Aside from swimming, biking, running, and strolling  in the park, I've also kayaked from the boat launch and enjoyed peaceful nights under the stars in front of the campfire.  Follow the Glenora Trail to the end to find a secluded bench in a peaceful part of the lake.  On you way you will pass a smokehouse that was built in 1832. 

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge



Breaktime during a circumference paddle



The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is an island in the Chesapeake Bay.  You can see it from the Bay Bridge but it will take almost an hour and a half to reach it from there becasue you have to continue east, then northwest and ultimately south to the island.  I have had several memorable adventures there.  The island is 10 miles in circumference and has several coves and marshland to explore by kayak.  There are also several trails, of varying habitat on the island.  The most remarkable thing I remember about this island are the snakes.  On a circumference paddle of the Island I started out at about the 3 o'clock position, where the boat launch is, and paddled counterclockwise.  By the time I had reached the 12 o'clock position I counted more than 20 northern watersnakes of varying length from a few inches to about 3+ feet.  The morning I arrived I walked to the beach area and stood for a while to judge the wind.  I noticed a watersnake swimming straight toward me.  He came to the shorline then turned and followed it.  I was a little impressed so took pictures and video.  Several minutes later another one came in, followed by yet another.  I launched and paddled around the marsh and counted one after the other.  They are relatively harmless but have a menacing appearance.  After my paddle I inquired at the Visitor Center if I had witnessed a phenomenon or if what I saw was typical.  The staff was pretty much ambivalent, like, sure there are snakes here.  Anyhow, in the few times I've been since I've always seen abundant snakes.  Another thing that made an impression on me were the mosquitos.  I rarely encounter mosquitos or biting flies when camping and having adventures in this area.  At Eastern Neck there are several trails in wooded areas.  One of the trails began at the edge of a forest and it was like going into a curtain of mosquitos.  It was almost comical because I stepped in and was innundated so I quickly backed out.  Once I put on ample DEET and went back in and was untouched.  The island is just south of the beautiful and quaint Chesapeake Bay town of Rock Hall, Maryland, a destination of its own.  I spent one weekend camping in the area, this time in my trailer.  I had a site where I was right next to the bay and I recall a wonderful sunset dinner above the rocky shore.  I was looking across the bay and turned to look to see if anyone else was watching and I noticed the familiar blue glow of TVs emitting from half of the RVs.  The things we can get used to and the things we take for granted are amazing.  Regardless, this is a fantastic area for suburban adventures; Rock Hall has an impressive kayak outfitter with unique and high-end models, there is a great coffee shop on the way to the island, and there are a variety of rivers and streams in the area to explore.  There was also an abundance of deer, and I've seen eagles and fox.  The island is also home to great populations of migrant tundra swan in the winter.



Boardwalk through marshland to a wooded island





Olympic Pride

I was in Walmart Saturday to speak with the manager about the scouts setting up a display to sell popcorn.  Once I was done I decided to get Mario and Sonic at the 2012 London Olympics on 3DS for my son.  While the clerk was getting it from the glass counter he had a discernable smirk.  My thought was there may be a problem with the game or that it was going to be replaced by a new version or something.  I asked him why he was smiling.  He replied, as we walked to the counter, "because we dominated you."  I said, "huh?"  He repeated, "because we dominated you."  I jokingly said, "I don't feel dominated and what the hell are you talking about?"  He told me he was from Jamaica and asked me how it felt that Usain Bolt didn't even look back to me [America] to make me think we even had a chance.  This was not a fraternal conversation as he came off as though he were smugly bragging for what appeared to me to be no reason.  I recall seeing the hundred meter during The Olympics and being in awe of Usain.  When he won I didn't feel dominated, nor was I disappointed an American didn't win, I just was amazed that someone could be so fast.  The Jamaican and I continued the conversation and though I love to watch The Olympics it was a little strange.  He mentioned for the third time that I was dominated.  I recall asking him why he thought I would even care and he pointed to my purchase, 3DS Mario and Sonic at the London Olympics, really?  Albeit there is a reference to The Olympics I failed to see how this could transition to Usain Bolt dominating me, cause seriously, I'm sure Sonic is much faster than him.  Anyhow, the thought crossed my mind to tell him to grab a tape on the way out to the parking lot to measure the 100 meter, but I've picked up a few pounds lately and he might have stood a good chance of beating me.  I'm not too fast even when I'm in shape so I may not have made my point.  My point here though is that I got a first-hand look at the incredible pride people have in the olympians who represent their country.  Athletes representing Jamaica won 12 medals during The Olympics, Americans won 104.  I mentioned the total medal count but he was unphased so I left him with his sense of domination in opposition to my sense of ambivalence and walked out the door.  Currently my son has won 52 medals and I have no doubt he will soon be dominating the rest of the Nintendo field, and he will surely soon be bragging about it to me.  In four years I will be cheering for the American in the 100 and 200 meter sprint. 

Dolly Sods West Virginia

Flag Spruce, Huckleberry bushes, Rocks
atop Dolly Sods

Dolly Sods in West Virginia is part of the Monongahelia National Forest.  It is around 2.5 hours from Washington D.C. and has a very unique ecosystem for the area.  The mountain plateau is similar to Canadian Tundra and contains a variety of shrubs, berries, spruce, and car-sized rocks.  My son has enjoyed this environment for many years and never refuses a trip there while we are caming in the area.  The allure for him is the rock scrambling; for me it is the incredible views.  The plateau is at an elevation of around 4,500 feet but the temperature differences from the valley below are significant.  I've been there in late April and seen a snow field on a shady side of the rocks.  I was there in October several years ago and while walking through the shrubs I mentioned how we didn't to worry about snakes as it was so cold.  Just as we were leaving the trail a harmless green snake slithered throgh the bush I was nibbling huckleberries from.  Naturally, I couldn't help but wonder about the non-harmless snakes that were surely tucked within crevaces the rocks made.  The huckleberry and blueberry shrubs provide a burnished brown color in fall in contrast to the sparse green spruce with a background of rainbow-colored deciduous foilage.  It is one of the finest views I've ever seen.  The forest service contains a great deal of trails throughout the 10-mile plus plateau but our favorite destination is always Bear Rocks Preserve.  This is where a seemingly endless field of huckleberry and blueberry bushes grow.  As I said I am always impressed with the temperature variations from the valley below as well as by how vigorous the wind blows through.  The spruce trees are referred to as flag spruce because branches only grow on the leeward side.  A video we watched on the history of the area related there was a fire many years ago in which the entire plateau burned.  It was an old-growth forest of conifers that supposedly burned down to the rocks.  When it grew back the variety of mountaintop plants that flourished was unprecented.  While we haven't stayed there yet there is a fantastic campground half-way down the access road.  To get there be prepared to leave the pavement and follow an unimproved incline littered with potholes and waves of frost heaves.  Once on top of the mountain the single-lane is very rough and, during busy periods, you will have to pull over frequently for cars coming in the opposite direction.  The views of the valley below are unmatched and the hiking is teriffic.

Westmoreland State Park

Westmoreland State Park 

Fossil Beach at Sunset



Westmoreland State Park in Virginia holds a diversity of memories for me from hiking more than 100 steps up to the top of the cliffs with my one-year old son in a backpack to recent adventures with the Cub Scouts.  Last week, on a whim, my son and I brought our tent so we could swim and search for fossils until sundown then not be concerned about the 1.5 hour drive home.  He enjoyed swimming in the river and bringing up smoothed clay deposits that were being battered about and I enjoyed finding several sharks teeth from the Miocene Era.  We stayed until about sundown then returned to the campground to set up our tent.  I purchased a propane lantern from the Visitor Center, as it was so effective when I used one the scouts had, and I was not disappointed.  Having a light that bright is going to be useful this fall when we want to set up after dark in the mountains.  Westmoreland offers excellent geographical diversity.  There is beachfront on the Potomac, a swamp that is bisected with a boardwalk and tower, and the elevated cliffs.  A substantial trail network runs throughout the park and there are three campgrounds, a freshwater pool, a fishing pier, boat rentals, and excellent beachcombing.