A Few Slow Days Before Turning West

 August 16 - 20, 2022

Quinby, Virginia

I'm getting spoiled with these less-than-100-miles driving days, added when I did the final reroute back in March. Our first stop in Virginia has a rare 11:00 check-in, and we're at Virginia Landing RV Park at 11:30 with a whole day to enjoy, and our travel already behind us. The last five miles is another one-and-a-half-lane roads through the trees. 

At this point Bill expresses some skepticism - me too!

I'm not a Thousand Trails fan, having never seen one that was worth the rates they charge, and some of the most run-down parks we've encountered. While there's nothing upscale about this one, it's well-maintained (although there are a whole field of sites with electric boxes that no longer work), and the location is hard to beat. The website says they have 285 sites, but I see less than 100 even with the tent sites and seasonal spaces. The host (they're called rangers which is confusing) is delightful, and meets us at the entrance to lead us into the park where we can pick any available site. She has a couple recommendations, and we opt for no sewer with 50 amp to get the ocean view - duh!

Our first Atlantic Ocean-front site ever.

Plenty of room to spread out.

There are also a dozen shaded sites with 30 amp and water. 

This is a wonderful place to slow down and "just be", especially with the continued cooler-lower-humidity temps. I have nothing on my "list" of things to do and see for this stop, having anticipated we might have natural beauty to enjoy at our site. Two of the three RVs surrounding us are vacant, and the whole park is very quiet at all hours. Reading, a beach drive, adding a few more post-Labor Day reservations, naps, and a couple local eateries make up our four days. 

Burtons Shore Beach is too small for respectable zoomies so Tessa opts for a more sedate stroll along the water.

So different from the left coast.

More vintage structures in the surrounding small burgs.

The dated GPS in the Jeep gives us options for "attractions"  it will route us to. I choose Turner Sculpture which I mistakenly think is "a" sculpture - nope, it's a business on the highway :-))

Seeing the sun rise over the ocean is bizarre for me - but then seeing the sun rise period, is rare :-))

The Exmore Diner is a local hang out where we're the only ones who don't know everyone else. By the time we leave we know a few.

Maintaining its authentic diner vibe with mostly original details. 

Our last day is overcast with the Chesapeake Bay west of the campground providing a muted final look at this unique area.

From here we turn west with a route that will take us to granddaughters, high school friends, our 47th and 48th states, more NFL stadiums, and some historic and poignant locations. Hard to believe we're already on the "last side of the loop" - but we've still got lots to see!

Mr chill-big-kid Elliott with one foot up in the chair, eating his lunch :-)

Oliver and Mommy. Can't believe the youngest is almost eight months old already!