Yesterday we were looking for a grocery store on our way to Connie‘s. We just guessed on the freeway exit and ended up in the part of Lakewood where there is a large Hasidic Jewish community. So many of the families were walking around in their finest traditional clothes. Not only was it charming and fascinating, but another reminder of the diversity of our country.

We left Connie‘s headed to George Washington‘s Mount Vernon site. I was indifferent about stopping at the site because although George Washington was a great military leader, our first president, an inventor and farmer, he owned slaves. We did stop and it was beautiful to walkaround. There were renovations going on so we did not see much of the interiors. The views of the Potomac River were beautiful. We did learn that George Washington released all his slaves upon his death. He also owned 1200 books! His business enterprises were extensive—8,000 acre farm, distillery, and a fishery.

To get to Mount Vernon we drove through Delaware and around the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and through to Virginia. We left Mount Vernon headed to Shenandoah National Park. Drove through Alexandria with all its beautiful brick homes. Lots of brick buildings on the East Coast—less concern about earthquakes.

The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Shenandoah National Park is stunning with views of the valleys 2000 to 3000 feet below along with the fall foliage.

We woke up to cold weather(mid 30s) in Shenandoah and decided to walk to the lodge near the campground for a hot breakfast and to use the Wi-Fi.