Observations of my new home..

[saravrose]

Well, I've arrived in Virginia. It's actually been here a couple of weeks but I figured it was time for a bit of a breakdown of first opinions from a Northerner on what it feels like to be 'kind of' in the south. First things first.

the accents.. My ears haven't stopped ringing from the accents yet.. I hear drawls, twangs and everything in between and have turned around because I was sure Larry the cable guy was behind me atleast twice. I feel like i'm in a movie and have to make myself concentrate on what's being said instead of how they're saying it.

I'm in the forest. Very literally it's all forest. I think I understand the term 'wild west' now. It all feels kind of put together out here. or worn in. Like an old pair of shoes that someone has had for years.

Don't get me started on tolls. they make me grind my teeth and I hate the dentist.

I love the age of this place. Random conversation about liking ghost stories and my new boss gives me a list of dang near every building in town that's supposedly haunted including a great story about the ghost at my own gig that throws cd's of music he doesn't like across the dining room.

Oh the plans!! So far my baby sister has convinced me... (it wasn't hard) that Baltimore and Boston have to be on the list this summer. and that if we commited ourselves we could probably do every landmark and museum in DC in about four days.

and a bit off topic but the revelation that I know nothing about teenagers has become glaringly obvious. Seriously fourteen year olds.... Do you make them eat their vegetables? do you have to ask them if they've brushed their teeth.. And what about movies and music? Obviously she's not going to tell me when she's not supposed to be allowed something but i'm floundering here. I'm having a great time with both of my sisters with the exception of my twin eating my icecream :evil:. But the more i'm around my baby sister the more I realize they less I know. If she were seven or even two that would be a piece of cake but fourteen..... no clue. and everytime I ask my twin she just laughs at me.

Aside from that it's been a pretty good time. I'm slowly driving my way around the surrounding towns, the rain is making me a little impatient and I'm getting a kick out of the tornado warnings. My sister says that it's because I have no concept of the weather out here. Everyone laughs to themselves when humidity is brought up. Apparently i'm going to hate it... :confused:..

Sari

[AngryCorgi]

Well, I've arrived in Virginia. It's actually been here a couple of weeks but I figured it was time for a bit of a breakdown of first opinions from a Northerner on what it feels like to be 'kind of' in the south. First things first.

the accents.. My ears haven't stopped ringing from the accents yet.. I hear drawls, twangs and everything in between and have turned around because I was sure Larry the cable guy was behind me atleast twice. I feel like i'm in a movie and have to make myself concentrate on what's being said instead of how they're saying it.

I'm in the forest. Very literally it's all forest. I think I understand the term 'wild west' now. It all feels kind of put together out here. or worn in. Like an old pair of shoes that someone has had for years.

Don't get me started on tolls. they make me grind my teeth and I hate the dentist.

I love the age of this place. Random conversation about liking ghost stories and my new boss gives me a list of dang near every building in town that's supposedly haunted including a great story about the ghost at my own gig that throws cd's of music he doesn't like across the dining room.

Oh the plans!! So far my baby sister has convinced me... (it wasn't hard) that Baltimore and Boston have to be on the list this summer. and that if we commited ourselves we could probably do every landmark and museum in DC in about four days.

and a bit off topic but the revelation that I know nothing about teenagers has become glaringly obvious. Seriously fourteen year olds.... Do you make them eat their vegetables? do you have to ask them if they've brushed their teeth.. And what about movies and music? Obviously she's not going to tell me when she's not supposed to be allowed something but i'm floundering here. I'm having a great time with both of my sisters with the exception of my twin eating my icecream :evil:. But the more i'm around my baby sister the more I realize they less I know. If she were seven or even two that would be a piece of cake but fourteen..... no clue. and everytime I ask my twin she just laughs at me.

Aside from that it's been a pretty good time. I'm slowly driving my way around the surrounding towns, the rain is making me a little impatient and I'm getting a kick out of the tornado warnings. My sister says that it's because I have no concept of the weather out here. Everyone laughs to themselves when humidity is brought up. Apparently i'm going to hate it... :confused:..

Sari

And you are originally from...? VA is as far north as anything in the south goes, and it seems to be a mish-mash of new yorkers and carolinians for the most part. The only accent that makes my ears ring are the jersey and ny accents, and the last time I checked, they were from the north.

I have been noticing the tornado hits in VA and honestly must say that is odd. I moved back to TX from VA and apparently the tornados passed me going the other way! ;)

I was used to TX navigation when I moved to northern VA, and I'll say the switch took time. In TX you can navigate by water towers...in VA you look around and its all trees. You have to know where you are at all times or you can lose your bearings.

[saravrose]

I'm from Nampa, Idaho via San Diego. I have noticed that it's easy to get turned around here. But, I haven't gone anywhere without my sisters GPS, in fact I was able to drive across the whole country without getting lost thanks to the little box on my windshield. I haven't noticed many New York accents yet, but i'm in a little town an hour and a half outside of DC. I know what you mean about Virginia being pretty far north I suppose that's why I wasn't prepared for all the accents that i've heard so far. But then again i'm working in a restaurant where one of the chefs is Austrian, the waiters are French and the managers are English. I'm spending more time trying to figure out what people are saying than anything else.

I'm pretty excited about the tornados i've never seen one and I think it would be kind of fun and intense to actually shoot one. But I don't think they're the same kind as you get in the middle of the country..

Sari

[rachelsne]

Virginia is my first American home, Im from England and find the accents very amusing, afterall before I came here, I had heard my husband who is american and the accents on the tv shows like friends, I love the accents although I sometimes get confused LOL

Welcome to the area

oh and check out the local area thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207509)

[saravrose]

thanks Rachel kind of glad it's not just me.. and i'll look in on the thread you mentioned..

[AngryCorgi]

I'm from Nampa, Idaho via San Diego. I have noticed that it's easy to get turned around here. But, I haven't gone anywhere without my sisters GPS, in fact I was able to drive across the whole country without getting lost thanks to the little box on my windshield. I haven't noticed many New York accents yet, but i'm in a little town an hour and a half outside of DC. I know what you mean about Virginia being pretty far north I suppose that's why I wasn't prepared for all the accents that i've heard so far. But then again i'm working in a restaurant where one of the chefs is Austrian, the waiters are French and the managers are English. I'm spending more time trying to figure out what people are saying than anything else.

I'm pretty excited about the tornados i've never seen one and I think it would be kind of fun and intense to actually shoot one. But I don't think they're the same kind as you get in the middle of the country..

Sari

Do you mind if I ask what restaurant?

That reminds me of a restaurant in Herndon, VA called the Euro Bistro. The guy that runs it is the chef (well, at least the head chef). He also is Austrian and worked for many years as a chef on a cruise liner, IIRC. You should get out there and give the little cafe a whirl if you can. The Jagersnitzel there is fantastic. He married a girl (I think she's originally from Thailand) who has influenced the menu as well, so there is a really neat mix of germanic and oriental foods on the menu.

[j00sten]

San Diego, CA? Whereabouts did you live over here? It's nice and sunny as usual over here :)

[Woolburr]

Sari, Sari....did ya forget to wave when you went flying by? Lots of tour guides available on the east coast.;)

[condyk]

Good to hear you're settling down ... at least for this week ;-)

Sounds a very interesting place. Of course, you know I find aspects of the US pretty weird and your description makes me think I would find it also very amusing too. Especially the voices. Any future husbands there? :-) Looking forward to some shots.

[BigBlueDodge]

Virginia.... living in the "south".....well that's blasphemy!. I guess I've never considered Virginia to be southern.

Sara, I did some work in Roanoke, several years back, and I know what you are talking about with all of the trees. I remember flying in and just seeing trees and hills for as long I could see. I never realized how forested Virginia was before that.

[saravrose]

Do you mind if I ask what restaurant?

That reminds me of a restaurant in Herndon, VA called the Euro Bistro. The guy that runs it is the chef (well, at least the head chef). He also is Austrian and worked for many years as a chef on a cruise liner, IIRC. You should get out there and give the little cafe a whirl if you can. The Jagersnitzel there is fantastic. He married a girl (I think she's originally from Thailand) who has influenced the menu as well, so there is a really neat mix of germanic and oriental foods on the menu.

It's called Fotis. Literally the first place on my list from my google searches I was actually fairly impressed with how easy it was to find a gig that was up to my standards. This one is suiting me fairly well I still miss my old job and I really, really hate being new. thanks for the advice on the cafe i'm always on the look out for neat spots to stop in on. My twin took me to a Ruby wednesdays when I requested something I haven't tried before... she obviously can't be trusted when it comes to restaurants. :rolleyes:

San Diego, CA? Whereabouts did you live over here? It's nice and sunny as usual over here :)

I am from Point Loma, my dad still parks his butt on the pier down in OB a couple blocks down from Dog Beach every day. stop by Albertos and get an asada burrito for me.

Sari, Sari....did ya forget to wave when you went flying by? Lots of tour guides available on the east coast.;)

absoulutely and you shall be on the top of my list.... I am wondering where Miss Suzy is?

Good to hear you're settling down ... at least for this week ;-)

Sounds a very interesting place. Of course, you know I find aspects of the US pretty weird and your description makes me think I would find it also very amusing too. Especially the voices. Any future husbands there? :-) Looking forward to some shots.

Dave... dave.... dave.... you should know me better by now.. ;).. Suprisingly no prospects just yet, can't say i'm looking though.. My nosy brother in law is making noises in that area, I think i'll be taking myself to the movies the next time he has 'buddies' over for a barbeque.... as for shots i'm getting there you would really like this little town i'm in. Lots to shoot tons of little white churches with graveyards lots of brick buidings you would find it quaint but very shootable.. ;)

Virginia.... living in the "south".....well that's blasphemy!. I guess I've never considered Virginia to be southern.

Sara, I did some work in Roanoke, several years back, and I know what you are talking about with all of the trees. I remember flying in and just seeing trees and hills for as long I could see. I never realized how forested Virginia was before that.

hmm... raoanoke sounds a little bit familiar no idea what direction though. I am actually pretty comfortable in the forest I had an incredibly embarrassing panic attack driving through Oklahoma though. I know without a doubt that the middle of the country is not for me..

Sari

[j00sten]

Lol, that's funny you mentioned the carne asada burrito, but i got it from roberto's :P

[saravrose]

Lol, that's funny you mentioned the carne asada burrito, but i got it from roberto's :P

hehe.. the sign of a good burrito spot is when your order is taken through bullet proof glass... ;)

[Seamless]

first opinions from a Northerner on what it feels like to be 'kind of' in the south

Two behaviors I immediately noticed when arriving as a college freshman in D.C.:

Slow pace: It's a very cosmopolitan, international area, but the Southern slow pace of life permeates (sidewalks, streets) without the congeniality/hospitality. Movement further slows with hot, wet, snow, icy or humid weather.

Slow service. An immigrant from NYC could easily boil blood waiting for service.


After a short while, getting a bit further into Virginia, I found being connected to a southerner makes introductions nicer, with genuine warmth for former strangers.

[saravrose]

Two behaviors I immediately noticed when arriving as a college freshman in D.C.:

Slow pace: It's a very cosmopolitan, international area, but the Southern slow pace of life permeates (sidewalks, streets) without the congeniality/hospitality. Movement further slows with hot, wet, snow, icy or humid weather.
Slow service. An immigrant from NYC could easily boil blood waiting for service.
After a short while, getting a bit further into Virginia, I found being connected to a southerner makes introductions nicer, with genuine warmth for former strangers.

I kind of thought it was just me and I was going too quickly... but, there is one small exception.... DRIVING... :shock:... scary... very scary. Kind of like being in Mexico scary.

Sari

[Jon]

absoulutely and you shall be on the top of my list.... I am wondering where Miss Suzy is?

hmm... raoanoke sounds a little bit familiar no idea what direction though. I am actually pretty comfortable in the forest I had an incredibly embarrassing panic attack driving through Oklahoma though. I know without a doubt that the middle of the country is not for me..

SariHead toward DC on 29 and hang a right on 234. Then call her . . . Maybe 40 miles. I'll let her know you've landed.

Roanoke - 29 to Charlottesville then over 64 to 81 and head south (or over to the Blue Ridge Parkway and head South). That's a couple hundred miles. You may have come in on 81 to 64.

[condyk]

So what y'all doin' there darlin'? Have a missed a snippet from your eventful life somewhere along the way? Or is this part of your across America jaunt? Seems a bit more long term if you're livin' in the forest in a place - a bit Hansel und Gretlesque!

[AngryCorgi]

My twin took me to a Ruby wednesdays when I requested something I haven't tried before... she obviously can't be trusted when it comes to restaurants. :rolleyes:

I never liked Ruby Tuesdays. About a year ago they remodeled the menu and all for the entire chain, but it didn't help much.

The NoVA area is fantastic for all the good mom-n-pop greek/italian restaurants, and there are some pretty decent indian food spots too. I know of a couple of middle-eastern cuisine joints that are delicious and the belly-dancers are very good.

When in doubt, if you are anywhere near it, just pick something random in Alexandria's Old Town...very few disappointments there.

[digirebelva]

If you are in northern Virginia, the rest of the state really no longer considers that to be a part of the state. At least not above Fredericksburg..to many D@mn yankess:D have moved down from up north. And you want to hear accents, go to the mountains..even living here all of my life I still get a kick out the drawls I hear when I go out there. Humidity oh yeah...try about %100 humidity on some days...most get used to it though. My Canadian wife does not complain, she considers it to be a small price for not have the snow fall amounts;). Glad to have you here.
And yes I say yall..and so does my wife..(funny i havent head eh from her in years) you will to after a while...we find it better than "use guys":D

[SuzyView]

Gee, Sari, you didn't even call me! But that's okay. I'm a little under the weather this week. Can't get my land legs back yet. But I can definitely take a few days off to meet you around here. If you come to DC, you can stay with me or with Jim, I'm sure. He's about 30 minutes from DC, I am a 1 hour bus ride to DC and I do that often myself. If you are in the mood, give me a pm.

The weather has been interesting, but makes everything beautiful. And the humidity is a switch for you. Bread never dries. Chips will go stale. Skin will be oily and never dry, and you will be hot and sticky. Bug spray in the evening outside is a must, mud happens, and the people south of DC may and will have a slower pace. I like it. People in the services are extremely useful and polite. I also love the food here. I don't know if you've ever eaten at a Fosters or 5 Guys, but hamburgers and southern barbeque food is a must here. So, if you are anywhere near me, give me a little notice and I'll jump into my Prius. :)

[saravrose]

So what y'all doin' there darlin'? Have a missed a snippet from your eventful life somewhere along the way? Or is this part of your across America jaunt? Seems a bit more long term if you're livin' in the forest in a place - a bit Hansel und Gretlesque!

well Dave in the wonderful tradition of ME i'm not exactly sure what i'm doing here. It seemed a change was called for and I have felt for several years now that a jaunt across my own country was called for so a bit of planning and voila' I am now a semi-temporary resident of Virginia, my bills have been forwarded, i'm employeed and think that I may stay for awhile.. How long is awhile?... no clue. but what would be the fun if I did?

I never liked Ruby Tuesdays. About a year ago they remodeled the menu and all for the entire chain, but it didn't help much.

The NoVA area is fantastic for all the good mom-n-pop greek/italian restaurants, and there are some pretty decent indian food spots too. I know of a couple of middle-eastern cuisine joints that are delicious and the belly-dancers are very good.

When in doubt, if you are anywhere near it, just pick something random in Alexandria's Old Town...very few disappointments there.

I'll give it a try i'm currently working in one of the restaurants in the historic district here and I absolutely agree that they are heads above what any chain is capable of.

If you are in northern Virginia, the rest of the state really no longer considers that to be a part of the state. At least not above Fredericksburg..to many D@mn yankess:D have moved down from up north. And you want to hear accents, go to the mountains..even living here all of my life I still get a kick out the drawls I hear when I go out there. Humidity oh yeah...try about %100 humidity on some days...most get used to it though. My Canadian wife does not complain, she considers it to be a small price for not have the snow fall amounts;). Glad to have you here.
And yes I say yall..and so does my wife..(funny i havent head eh from her in years) you will to after a while...we find it better than "use guys":D

hehe.. I am looking forward to skipping a winter, or atleast all of the white stuff, I still remember when I was about four and saw it for the first time, imagine my suprise when I realized it wasn't like cotton balls :evil:.. never really gotten over it. As to the accents i'll get used to it eventually my sisters say that they don't notice, I think they're messing with me.... :rolleyes:

Gee, Sari, you didn't even call me! But that's okay. I'm a little under the weather this week. Can't get my land legs back yet. But I can definitely take a few days off to meet you around here. If you come to DC, you can stay with me or with Jim, I'm sure. He's about 30 minutes from DC, I am a 1 hour bus ride to DC and I do that often myself. If you are in the mood, give me a pm.

The weather has been interesting, but makes everything beautiful. And the humidity is a switch for you. Bread never dries. Chips will go stale. Skin will be oily and never dry, and you will be hot and sticky. Bug spray in the evening outside is a must, mud happens, and the people south of DC may and will have a slower pace. I like it. People in the services are extremely useful and polite. I also love the food here. I don't know if you've ever eaten at a Fosters or 5 Guys, but hamburgers and southern barbeque food is a must here. So, if you are anywhere near me, give me a little notice and I'll jump into my Prius. :)

haha.. will see if I pack up my car and head back to my desert climate in July, but for now i'm content to give it a chance.. and I've heard about the 5 guys, the very next time I eat a hamburger i'll give it a go. I did have barbeque in Knoxville, they served me these fried cornbread things that were............. interesting, called hush puppies I was a bit taken aback by the amount of salt..

Sari.

[digirebelva]

I did have barbeque in Knoxville, they served me these fried cornbread things that were............. interesting, called hush puppies I was a bit taken aback by the amount of salt.. Sari.

Love a hush puppy..the salt amount is personal preference..most I have had didnt have a lot on them...

Try some biscuit & gravy...I know alot of places up north dont serve it..;)

[saravrose]

Love a hush puppy..the salt amount is personal preference..most I have had didnt have a lot on them...

Try some biscuit & gravy...I know alot of places up north dont serve it..;)

I had never heard of a hush puppy, had no idea what I was eating and wasn't terribly impressed, there seems to be a subculture of fried foods down here.. not something I normally embrace, I do know biscuits and gravy... it's considered 'farm food' back home. But, not my favorite it reminds me of my grandpa making us eat SOS for breakfast slightly different but it's a big goopy mess of beige colored carbs, i'm much more of a bagel and cream cheese kind of girl. When I eat breakfast at all...

Sari

[Seamless]

DRIVING... :shock:... scary... very scary.

Well then, you obviously have crossed paths with my aunt. ;)

Not until after collision during a storm did she crack open the owner's manual to find out how to turn on the wipers.

[saravrose]

Well then, you obviously have crossed paths with my aunt. ;)

Not until after collision during a storm did she crack open the owner's manual to find out how to turn on the wipers.

don't worry my own sister is scary enough.. :shock:

[AngryCorgi]

There is one thing that I miss about VA...Bob freakin' Evans! They closed all of them nearby here. I have no idea why! ???

[saravrose]

There is one thing that I miss about VA...Bob freakin' Evans! They closed all of them nearby here. I have no idea why! ???

hmmm... I caused a small riot at work over not knowing a kings dominion (right name?).. what the heck is Bob Evans?..

[rdricks]

I can appreciate this thread - I lived most my life in Colorado. I moved to Kentucky just under three years ago. I was laughing at your post, I know the feeling too well!:lol:

[digirebelva]

hmmm... I caused a small riot at work over not knowing a kings dominion (right name?).. what the heck is Bob Evans?..

Kings Dominion (Theme Park)
Bush Gardens (Theme Park) thought I would thow it in for future reference:D
Bob Evans - think of it like a IHOP...not exactely but close

[Mum2J&M]

Virginia is my first American home, Im from England and find the accents very amusing, afterall before I came here, I had heard my husband who is american and the accents on the tv shows like friends, I love the accents although I sometimes get confused LOL

Welcome to the area

oh and check out the local area thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207509)

LOL - that's funny. My husband is from England and we met in Boston. We both lived up there for nearly 20 years. We're in North Carolina now. There are more northerners down here than southerners for God's sake! Do a search for Cary, NC... they've nicknamed it "confinement area for relocated Yankees"! I notice both the NC accents and northern ones, but since moving down here - I REALLY notice New Jersey accents (where I grew up) and even New York and Boston accents. I am so used to the British accent now, I hardly notice it.

[digirebelva]

There are more northerners down here than southerners for God's sake! Do a search for Cary, NC... they've nicknamed it "confinement area for relocated Yankees"!

Its called cheaper living..:) The north is expensive...

[Woolburr]

hmmm... I caused a small riot at work over not knowing a kings dominion (right name?).. what the heck is Bob Evans?..

Kings Dominion (http://www.kingsdominion.com/) is an amusement park...Bob Evans (http://www.bobevans.com/) is a very bad chain restaurant....yuck. Then there is Busch Gardens (http://www.buschgardens.com/BGW/)and Colonial Williamsburg (http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/)...you have lots of "attractions" to get to know!

[Double Negative]

Ahh, Virginia... Yes. A suburb of D.C. Like Maryland. ;)

All linked together by the malls in Tyson's Corner.

[digirebelva]

Ahh, Virginia... Yes. A suburb of D.C. Like Maryland. ;)

All linked together by the malls in Tyson's Corner.


At least Northern Virginia:D

[Double Negative]

At least Northern Virginia:D

Yeah, true, true. I used to hit Purcellville quite a bit back in the day - was nice and quiet, being about 40mins. from D.C.

[AngryCorgi]

Bob Evans (http://www.bobevans.com/) is a very bad chain restaurant....yuck.

Feel free to ignore Dan.

Bob Evans has the best restaurant biscuits on Earth! It's mostly a breakfast-type place.

[Woolburr]

Feel free to ignore Dan.

Bob Evans has the best restaurant biscuits on Earth! It's mostly a breakfast-type place.

You can have my share of "food" from there....or IHOP...

[AngryCorgi]

You can have my share of "food" from there....or IHOP...

IHOP is not as good as Bob Evans...don't try to place them in the same box!!

That's like saying "these 1Ds3 images using the 85L are about the same as a Nikon D40 with the kit lens"...just not the same at all...

[Woolburr]

I know...IHOP is better!

[AngryCorgi]

I know...IHOP is better!

Total poppycock!!

[saravrose]

what if I just say that any chain diner isn't going to stand up to the mom and pops that are everywhere... I do know IHOP and it's great if you like eating food that tastes like a tv dinner..

sari

[AngryCorgi]

what if I just say that any chain diner isn't going to stand up to the mom and pops that are everywhere... I do know IHOP and it's great if you like eating food that tastes like a tv dinner..

sari

I agree. Bob Evans does not taste like IHOP (at least not their breakfast food). Go in there, order an egg on an open biscuit with sausage and gravy (and I add on a tomato too), and it's like eating at home. It's really good.

[digirebelva]

Okay boys it time to go to your corners:):)

[AngryCorgi]

Okay boys it time to go to your corners:):)

But my opinion is truth!!

;)

:D

[SuzyView]

If I were you, Sari, I'd go for the Cracker Barrels by the highway for some home cooking. Jim & Elaine swear by it, we meet there regularly. But I love Fosters and 5 Guys for burgers, but nothing beats the home cooking at my house. I make the most incredible pork chops and barbecue. You need to come north, Babe!

Also, Williamsburg is a must. Tell me when you are going, I can meet you there. I love it and have a season pass.

[Woolburr]

But my opinion is truth!!

;)

:D

Whatever you been smokin'...I want some...I wouldn't eat at IHOP and I sure wouldn't go to that place that is even worse....hehehe:lol:

[Double Negative]

Cracker Barrel curly fries, w00t!

[saravrose]

If I were you, Sari, I'd go for the Cracker Barrels by the highway for some home cooking. Jim & Elaine swear by it, we meet there regularly. But I love Fosters and 5 Guys for burgers, but nothing beats the home cooking at my house. I make the most incredible pork chops and barbecue. You need to come north, Babe!

Also, Williamsburg is a must. Tell me when you are going, I can meet you there. I love it and have a season pass.

I know cracker barrel there's one in boise and I rented books on tape from them while I was driving across the country... What's williamsburg?.. a town?..

[timbernet]

What's williamsburg?.. a town?..

You must have heard about it in history class: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamsburg%2C_Virginia

Very cool place to visit!

[Double Negative]

I've drag raced at Manassas. :)

[saravrose]

You must have heard about it in history class: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamsburg%2C_Virginia

Very cool place to visit!

oh, got ya.. yep, that would be neat I'm actually very close to Monticello, I keep driving past... Maybe Wednesday...

I'm down Suzy, sounds like fun. My sister and I are going to DC in a couple of weeks, if she can manage to keep herself 'ungrounded' long enough for me to hit up her mom for permission.. Lots and lots of stuff to see and do there courtney has a list of museums she's been to and loved, museums she's been to and not loved and the ones she wants to go to. Were going to make a couple day trip out of it. figure it'd be easier to grab a hotel and stay around, there's the light to plan for and I know we won't see nearly enough with just a day trip. But, shortly after that i'll be plotting my next stop. It's strange how tiny the states are out here everything is just compact.. hard to visualize that way...

Sari

[AngryCorgi]

Whatever you been smokin'...I want some...I wouldn't eat at IHOP and I sure wouldn't go to that place that is even worse....hehehe:lol:

Whatever...if you get on the Cracker Barrel bandwagon I'll KNOW your taste buds are fried! ;)

Cracker Barrel curly fries, w00t!

They sell that? The only thing I like at Cracker Barrel is that hash brown casserole for breakfast.

I know cracker barrel there's one in boise and I rented books on tape from them while I was driving across the country... What's williamsburg?.. a town?..

And that's about what their good for... ;)

I've drag raced at Manassas. :)

Manassas was the closest thing to "country" in NoVa without going to Fredericksburg (aka "Rednecksburg"). I purchased a few hand guns in Manassas, and I went to Fredericksburg to get some welding done on my FJ, because none of the auto-shops in the beltway will do anything custom without you handing them a blank check or buying something from their horrible parts bin.

[digirebelva]

Manassas was the closest thing to "country" in NoVa without going to Fredericksburg (aka "Rednecksburg"). I purchased a few hand guns in Manassas, and I went to Fredericksburg to get some welding done on my FJ, because none of the auto-shops in the beltway will do anything custom without you handing them a blank check or buying something from their horrible parts bin.

Sounds like the Northern Influence again :)

[digirebelva]

I thought we seperated you 2...do we need to take away the keyboards away....

[SuzyView]

Sari, come stay with me at my house. I have 2 spare bedrooms. The bus takes you into the Mall at 7:30 a.m. and you can catch the one back anytime between 3 and 7:30 p.m. I can go in with you at 7:30 and show you where to catch the bus back. Don't worry about the cost, I have passes that have money on them just for visitors. I do this trip often, as Jon & Jim knows. And this time of the year, you can hit the memorial before heading into museums at the hot time of the day. There are places to eat now all along the way. Just tell me when you are coming. I'll be around. I have 2 kids that make my life very busy here.

[AngryCorgi]

I regret not seeing the WWII memorial before leaving. Then again, it leaves me an excuse to return! ;)

I miss the mountains being so close too. I used to go hiking up on Old Rag, and got some very nice pictures (film though) from one time we went repelling with the fog rolling over the mountain.

[digirebelva]

Yep love the location..2 hours from DC, the beach, mountains
Havent seen the WWII memorial yet, saw the "wall" way back in 87 when i was at Ft. Belvoir for training.

[SuzyView]

WWII Memorial is amazing. I love just sitting on the benches and looking around. It reminds me of the kind of memorials in Europe with the stone and the water.

[Double Negative]

The memorials are all pretty inspiring. Well done. I agree, Suzie - they have a European feel to them. I've got a gallery of shots (http://litpixel.com/ee/list.php?exhibition=18&ee_lang=eng) of them from a whirlwind tour last year.