Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

One of the things we enjoy doing while traveling around the country is visit the State Capitol buildings.  The State of Virginia has recently done a big restoration project.  This state can brag the have had 8 Presidents from their fair State.  This statue of Geo. Washington was done with precision and accuracy.  Well worth seeing; although their fair son is R E Lee; George Washington holds highest esteem here.  Of course Thomas Jefferson designed the building so how could they go wrong.  Enjoyed our visit very much.  We timed it along with several schools too so plenty of young people there!

Here is a picture of the middle school damaged so badly hit by last weeks tornado.  Although the school had its roof torn off and busses crushed the students are doubling up on another school and life goes on... different schedule but this community is so great!  The town of Gloucester, VA was hit too and although they were damaged they have joined together with their neighbors and are helping each other; clearing downed trees, taking up collection drives, caring for pets misplaced and the list goes on.  They are not just helping their own town but reaching across to other communities hit including Bertie County, NC that had record damage and loss of life.  Wonderful to see and hear about and wonderful to know we still have folks out there caring for each other and not waiting for the government to step up to the plate.  Quite frankly it has taken the government a week to even reach this town but you know they are handling things quite well already.  Kudos to them all!  Happy to see th

Back in 2002 on our 1st trip to the east coast we were introduced to Carolina bbq right here at Rodman's Bones and Buddies in Portsmouth, VA....... you know, it is just as good as we remembered it and although we had to make a call back to AZ to friend Sarah to find out the name of the place it was well worth it. Not only did we get a friendly catch up chat in, but we were able to visit this cute little place and get some good food! Thanks Sarah!! By the way, the service was as good as the food...

The day after the terrible "Tornado" hit -  we left NC and headed for this lovely park in Gloucester, VA. Little did we know they had been hit too by the tornados the night before! This spring the flowers are out and the park is looking pretty spiffy! The dogwoods are still in bloom and the Piankatank river is lovely! Back onto the pickle ball court too and even have a hummingbird at our feeder. Life is good!

Took a free tour of the Naval base in Norfolk and although it was a bus tour around the base and no pictures allowed of actual ships; they did take us down Admiral row. ha!  That's what I call it anyway.  When this naval station was 1st being built back in early 1900's each state that wanted to be represented built a house (for the Admiral's use of course and other activities, i.e, parties) and this one of course was from Pennsylvania!  What a hoot.  Beautiful homes and all unique but hardly homes - they are mansions.  This state is full of history and activities abound and we do have plans to see much more... after leaving here we did do the new waterfront that isn't too active this time of year.  A little early for all the activities yet but fun just the same.  Of course we are staying in Gloucester so we have to cross both the York River and James river to get into the Norfolk area! Love the history and the beauty this state has to offer this time of year! 

We are so blessed and we know it!  Over 100 tornados tounched down in North Carolina yesterday and we were so fortunate to be missed!  It is a lovey day for traveling but wow! After looking at news this morning we realize how different things are for so many.  Over 14 killed and untold how many are homeless!  So sad and it went thru in a hurry.  Certainly thankful for our many blessings!

Very exciting evening!  We have been on a tornado watch most of day but tonight for the past couple of hours have been most exciting!  Yes, siren went off and people gathered at shelter (otherwise known as restrooms).  A good way to get to know your neighbors!  Rain pelting down and thunder showers!  It is raining so hard we cannot hear each other inside the coach! Met a nice couple from Massachusetts and learned we have been crossing each others paths for months now.  Lord willing we will be alright now but I can tell you it is still pouring down rain.  Lots of big puddles and branches down.  Plans are to move on to Chesapeake, VA tomorrow.

This is our last day here in NC for a while and have to say it has been the best visit! Have absolutely loved seeing this place blossom in springtime. Took a long drive (cemetery hunting) and found some of the prettiest countryside I have ever seen. The countryside was bursting with color from flowering dogwoods to azaleas of all colors besides the deciduous trees all coming into their new spring dress! Perfectly lovely and delightful at every turn! The colors abounding and so cheerful and renewing. One thing we did notice is that in several places there were large tracts of land with what could possibly have been old slave shacks?  Not sure but looked like it and so interesting to see amongst nature’s finery.  Although I do suffer terribly with allergies in springtime I love this time of year and especially when I see all the wonder of our beautiful country coming to life! Today, we are on a storm watch with possible tornados! Lord willing there won't be any terrible damage after

Our observant friend Dave found a great tour for us at the Fountain; Donzi; Baja & Pro-Line boat factory. They took us from beginning to end through the factory to see how these boats are made and assembled. The economy has had big impact on their factory but they are starting to come back a little. A great crew of folks working in upholstery shop, doing the gelcoat; fiberglass; assembly, testing and more testing. They make everything from frames to hulls and it is large complex of buildings. Very interesting how they have been at this location for 31 years.

This trip we have chosen the coastal route north and are presently in the very small town of Chocowinity near Greenville. Enjoy the size of the park, altho flat there is quite a bit of walking available so that suits me just fine... A lot of pollen this year as you can see by photo! It pools up in water and lays like paint on the road. Never have experienced pollen like this year but it is lovely here too. Enjoying all the water here and so many turtles! Almost made a very small baby turtle a pet.. only about as big as a fifty cent piece and so light! Cutest little thing you ever did see with it's very tiny tail and little webbed feet! Darling... anyway, decided it would probably die if I took it so decided to leave here in this murky icky looking water! ha! We have had hot - mid 80's to low 60's all in a week and thunder storms to boot but overall very nice! Of course my allergies are playing havoc with me again but that is expected at this time of year...

A wonderful experience at the Wright Brothers National Monument today! We were so fortunate to have the most wonderful ranger "talk". This guy walked us right through the entire time frame of when the Wright brothers first conceived the idea of making a plane to when they finally achieved their goal! They were certainly persistent and it's just a wonderful story of how they worked together. They were very much in tune with each other and the rigors of the time and effort - marvelous story and so inspiring! There was also a film made at the 100th anniversary and interestingly enough all planes today are still using their initial plans. Amazing; 66 years from 1st flight to walking on the moon. Neil Armstrong even took a very small piece of the fabric and wood from the original plane to the moon!  Wow!  It is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute in DC at the Air & Flight Museum on the Mall.