We left the house at 3:15 A.M. and headed to Nashville; TN arrived at 5:15 flight left at 6:15 A.M. I checked in on flight 2315, I sat next to the window and a young black man sat in the middle seat. We talked, and he said he lived in Nashville but was looking to move to Virginia. He had a couple of small children and his mom was a school teacher of special needs children.
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| The morning sunrise in Maryland |
We landed in MD, and the young black man got off the plane.
I moved a couple of seats up and an older couple sat down beside me. The man sat in the middle and his wife in the end (I think she was the boss of the two) he talked my head off. He said he sold hospital equipment and he was having a Christmas party when he arrived home. He asked me if I wanted to go to his party, I said that we were leaving Hartford as soon as we landed and that my daughter and I were going to New York. The plane landed I said goodbye to the couple and I walked to baggage claim to collect my luggage. My daughter was late as usual picking me up.
I moved a couple of seats up and an older couple sat down beside me. The man sat in the middle and his wife in the end (I think she was the boss of the two) he talked my head off. He said he sold hospital equipment and he was having a Christmas party when he arrived home. He asked me if I wanted to go to his party, I said that we were leaving Hartford as soon as we landed and that my daughter and I were going to New York. The plane landed I said goodbye to the couple and I walked to baggage claim to collect my luggage. My daughter was late as usual picking me up.
We filled up with gas at BP 3500 Conner St Bronx NY 10475 (I remember this station because the last time we went to NY my daughter used the restroom here).
My flight arrived in Hartford at 10:40 A.M., and my daughter and I left Hartford, CT driving to Staten Island NY.
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| Traveling through New York |
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| Traveling through New York |
We took I-95 south through Meridian, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, CT, and crossing into New Jersey at Fort Lee went across New Jersey Turnpike on I-95 crossing back into NY. We were going to stay at 310 Wild Wood Av Staten Island but the rate was $150 a night and there was no shuttle on Tuesdays to the Staten Island Ferry.
We asked at the desk of Wild Wood AV Staten Island Inn where we could find a good local place to eat that is nearby? They suggested West Shore Inn Steakhouse, but it was closed for a Christmas Party. The other place they suggested was Mikes's Unicorn Diner 2944 Victory Blvd NY.
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| Eating a salad at Mike Unicorn Diner Staten Island, NY |
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| Mikes Unicorn Diner Staten Island, NY |
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| Mikes Unicorn Diner Staten Island, NY |
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| Mikes Unicorn Diner Staten Island, NY |
Mikes Unicorn Diner, we ordered water with lemon and we shared a plate of fried filet of sole, salad, rolls, green beans, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, cheesecake, pasta, and beets, with bread, it was more than enough to feed two people. After we finished eating, we decided not to go back to New York, so we headed toward Washington DC
We took I-278 over to I 95 it took us 3 hours and 16 minutes to get from NY to Maryland.
We stopped at 702 W 34th ST. Baltimore, Maryland to see the Christmas lights on Keswick Rd and Chestnut Street.
The whole block was decorated for the Christmas holiday, they were movable, indoor, and outdoor displays.
People were scurrying up and down the block.
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| Christmas lights Miracle of 34 St Hampden Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Christmas lights Miracle of 34 St Hampden Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Christmas lights Miracle of 34 St Hampden Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Christmas lights Miracle of 34 St Hampden Baltimore, Maryland |
Then we drove on I-66 for another two hours from Maryland to Royal Front, VA.
We stopped at Cool Harbor Inn located at 141 E 15 Avenue Royal Front VA.
We checked in at about 12 P.M. ($65 for a king bed in a first-floor conference room).
We were so exhausted that we slept until 10 A.M. the next day.
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| Cool Harbor Inn Royal Front VA |
Day 2: Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The next morning we both took a show, packed our bags, and checked out of the hotel.
For breakfast, we had orange juice, oatmeal with apple cinnamon, a banana, and a donut at the breakfast nook in the back of the Inn
We were not far from the Shenandoah Valley National Park.
From Cool Harbor Inn my daughter had to drive to Sky Line Drive to get into the park
From Cool Harbor Inn my daughter had to drive to Sky Line Drive to get into the park
I bought a senior lifetime pass for $10.00, which got both of us into the park.
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| Shenandoah Valley National Park |
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| Shenandoah Valley National Park |
It was about 11:33 A.M. when we entered Shenandoah Valley National Park and we stayed inside the park until we reached Luray VA, where we exited the park to explore the caverns of Luray.
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| Luray Virginia Park |
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| Luray Virginia Park |
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| Luray Virginia Park Caverns |
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| Luray Virginia Park Caverns |
We paid 21.00 dollars to visit Luray Caverns, which included a visit to the Car and Carriage Museum and The Luray Valley Museum.
The Luray Caverns is a guided tour that lasts about an hour, after the tour you are on your own.
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| The Luray Valley Museum. |
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| The Luray Valley Museum. |
We walked down to the Car and Carriage Museum, which has 140 cars, carriages, coaches, & costumes that date back to 1725.
Next, we went to The Luray Valley Museum, which housed Shenandoah Valley artifacts from the 1750s to 1920s.
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| Car and Carriage Museum |
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| Car and Carriage Museum |
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| Car and Carriage Museum |
We ate lunch at Gathering Grounds Patisserie Café 55 E. Main St Luray VA 22835 (Patisserie is a type of French or Belgian bakery that specializes in pastries and sweets in both countries)
I ordered a cup of soup Du Jour and half sandwich for $6.96 and Coke for $1.99 total of $8.94.
(540-743-1121) The ticket said Table 16 2 guest server Melissa at 4:15PM ID0081319.
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| Gathering Grounds Patisserie Café 55 E. Main St Luray VA |
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| Gathering Grounds Patisserie Café 55 E. Main St Luray VA |
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| Town of Luray VA |
We tried to get back to Shenandoah Valley National Park but by the time we got to the area where we could get to the park, the park closed at 5:00 pm.
From Luray Virginia, we took 340 down to Stanley Va., then to I-81 from Virginia to Knoxville, TN.
We stopped at Pilot Store 051 11190 Bailey ton Rd Greenville, Tennessee at 22:50:35 A.M.
They had a subway and gas station I bought two glasses of water for $2.00, one 20 oz drink for $1.35, and at Subway I bought one 12-inch Veggie sub at $5.00 and some chips .99 spent $6.57.
I also bought some lottery tickets.
We drove through Knoxville, TN on I-40 N toward Nashville, TN taking 840 to I-65 S to 360 to 31 Spring Hill to Columbia TN, turning onto Highway 43 and 43 all the way home.
We arrived at home about 3:30 A.M.
My husband was asleep and he had to work the next day, so Lora slept on the sofa and I slept in the recliner.
When my husband got up to get ready to go to work the next morning, both Lora and I got into bed.
The next morning after my husband left for work, my daughter and I climbed into bed but I could not sleep because I could hear it was storming outside, so I got up and lay on the sofa.
The next morning after my husband left for work, my daughter and I climbed into bed but I could not sleep because I could hear it was storming outside, so I got up and lay on the sofa.
End of another long trip
December 18, 2012, Flew
Depart 6:15 A.M. from Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Arrive Baltimore Maryland International Airport (BWI)
Depart Baltimore Maryland International Airport |(BWI)
Arrive 10:40 A.M. Hartford International Airport (BDL)
