Tuesday, July 24, 2007

I took a little break....and now I'm back...


This past week, DH and I took a little trip down to the Chesapeake area of Virginia. Jim had an appointment in Virginia Beach, and I went along. Our grandson Randy is stationed in the Navy in Norfolk, so it didn't take much convincing to get me to visit.

While there, we spent a lot of time with Randy and got to see his new apartment.
His new bride Beth had to work most of the time we were visiting, but she enjoyed the Bride's Box that I painted for her as a wedding gift. I was worried about her reaction. I shouldn't have been.

Besides just hanging out together, we spent time sightseeing. I am reading Chesapeake, by James Michener, and since we were in the vicinity, I wanted to go see Jamestown. We also visited the Cape Henry lighthouse at Fort Story. When we checked out the lighthouse, we had no idea it was on an Army base. The security we had to go through in order to get onto the army base to see the lighthouse was an experience in itself.

Here are some pictures - not in any particular order... of our visit...starting with the Bay Bridge tunnel.



Sand Dunes at Virginia beach..


Jim, my DH, walking up the steps to get to the entrance to the Cape Henry lighthouse. There were over 64 steps.....


The exterior of the ancient lighthouse. I can't imagine having to lug all these stones up to the top of the hill where the lighthouse stands.


On the way home we stopped in Cape Charles, Virginia. It's a sleepy little town that is full of charm, a place for summertime visitors..yet it was not at all crowded. Here is something I learned about the Chesapeake Bay.... If you click on the picture, you can read the words...


And an Osprey couple at Cape Charles I couldn't resist....




Another picture of a lighthouse at Cape Henry....





Do you think the Navy has made Randy a bit of a neatnik? I couldn't resist taking this photo of their shoes all lined up inside by their front door.


The beach at Virginia Beach....very 'duney' and natural. So pretty and peaceful. The beaches were wide and deserted of bathers.


The sign at the entrance to the Old Cape Henry lighthouse, the nation's first.


And last but not least....our sailor...Randy, and yours truly...known to Randy as "Mimi". We're so proud of him..so very young, and he has already done one tour of duty in the Persian Gulf.



So long till next time Sailor! Job well done!








10 comments:

Ruth said...

I was so close to Chesapeake Bay a few years ago, but the others on the road trip did not want to see it. Thanks for the pictures. I have read James Michener's book too. Very nice picture of you and your son!
ruth

Mary C said...

Dorothy - welcome back. It looks like you had an enjoyable time. I'm so glad to see these pix - my daughter and I are planning and hoping to visit Jamestown in August. And now I'd like to add Cape Charles to that trip if time permits. And might I add you have a handsome young grandson!

Mary said...

I'm glad you are back, Dorothy! This time I didn't bug you :o)

Having lived near the Chesapeake all my life, I admire your beautiful photos. The Bay Bridge Tunnel is beautiful for sightseeing, isn't it? Is the toll more than $12 yet? I used to love crossing it.

Randy is a handsome guy. You must be so proud of him. You look wonderful in that photo!

Dorothy said...

Mary..yes the Bay Bridge toll is still $12 each way..unless you return within 24 hours, and you get a $7 discount on the return trip. I love going over that bridge and the area just north of it..still relatively untouched by man and full of waterbirds and other wildlife. We checked out southern Delaware on our way home..still looking.

Dorothy said...

Ruth thanks for the compliment.
Randy is our grandson...LOL. But I do appreciate your comments. I'm sorry you didn't get to visit Jamestown on your trip south. I'm a bit of a history lover and saw it many years ago...in the '60s... it sure has changed from then.

Susie said...

I enjoyed seeing all your photos. The picture of you with your grandson is so sweet...
:)

Jayne said...

What a great trip and such great photos too! That's one handsome sailor with his MiMi. :c)

Naturegirl said...

I tuly enjoyed this tour and the last photo well a lot of LoVe there!
hugs NG

KGMom said...

You're back!
Wow--you have a grandson who is married--you don't look old enough.
Goodness--that poster on the meteor is most interesting.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I love beaches--and your photos are so inviting. That wind-swept look of dunes and grasses ...so relaxing.