Hi friends!
Read along as I journal where we are, what we are doing and what each day brings on this East Coast trip headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
August 11th, Laurel Highlands, Great Allegheny Passage and Uniontown KOA
Captains Log: Travel Date, August 11
We tried to load up the Yukon to get on the road but some cuteness arrived. It was difficult to pack and leave with our grandbaby Juliet waving good-bye! However, we managed to get out the door and started driving. Our intention was to get to Shenandoah National Park but we got out the door so late we decided to find a campground in Pennsylvania.
Our stopping point became Uniontown KOA! This was a sweet, unplanned stop for our family. The Youghioheny River runs beside the campground where the kids could fish and go “creeking” at the campsite. Our camp site 125 was on the rivers edge which gave beautiful views of the river and watch people kayaking. We were able to swim at the beautiful pool and enjoy some of the amenities this AWESOME KOA provides.
The Great Allegheny Passage goes right through this KOA, which is exciting for someone who loves being outdoors. You might wonder what the Great Allegheny Passage is, well in short, the most amazing biking/hiking path of 150 miles of trail that I have ever been on. Honestly, I chose this campground just so Matt and I could go biking in the evening! Day trips on this path are absolutely worth it. The trail is so well maintained and has everything you need on the trail available for you.
After a day of travel and set up of camp we fell into bed and looked forward to making it to Shenandoah NP.
August 12th, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Farm Market and Luray KOA
Captains Log: Travel Date, August 12th
We were sad that this stop here in the beautiful Laurel Highlands and Ohiopyle State Park area was only for one day. I definitely want to make it back here in the future for a longer stay! However, Shenandoah National Park was calling our name so we packed up and got on the road.
We meandered our way along the routes as we slowly made headway. Driving through the countryside of West Virginia we saw America’s first spa! (Admittedly, I have put this onto our bucket list of destinations to go to!) I want to see what else this beautiful area in WV holds.
As we made our way through Virginia’s delightful byways, we came across Virginia’s Farm Market. We carefully and gingerly parked the camper here because it was not easy to get into. However, once inside we were treated to spectacular samples of cider, donuts and mouth watering peaches. While we were there, we found out this Farm Market has been in the family for 4 generations! This is a must stop location if you are ever in the Winchester area. We loaded up on some crisp apples and sublime peaches for our trip east and headed back on the road, because the mountains were calling.
As we drove, we began seeing the majestic mountains of Shenandoah NP on the horizon! We had not picked a campground yet so we got on the KOA app and found one in Luray. I had not done any research on Luray KOA so I just booked a site. However, I would encourage you to book one on the outer edges (not 24 or 25) They are beautiful, have great patios and some even pergolas. Our site on the infield was ok, but I was jealous of the other sites. After a day of driving, letting the kids head to the pool here was great. They got out their energy and I was able to lounge pool side to drink in the beauty of the mountains.
August 13th Shenandoah National Park and Williamsburg VA
Captains Log: Travel Date, August 13th
Our family had made plans to get up early and head into Shenandoah National Park. Since we were a little behind schedule getting out the door on day 1, we had a bare minimum amount of time in these beautiful mountains. I thought check out was at 11 am so we hit the ground running to the Harry S. Byrd Visitor Center when we got up. We stopped every so often for photos in the plentiful pull outs as we wound our way to our destination. The visitor center offered a great interpretation style museum and a short 15 minute video about Shenandoah NP, however, we were on a time crunch so we got our mug and stamp and headed back down to the KOA to hook up.
At one point on the way back to the KOA my brain re-engaged and I thought, “How can check out be 11:00? It’s got to be later than that.” So I grabbed the info paper on the KOA and re-read it. I had read the check out time for cabins and not RV sites. We had until 1 pm! My family rolled their eyes at me and we decided to pick a hiking trail to conquer. So to the Lower Hawksbill Trail we went and began our ascent. You know, when one of your children has T1d and you don’t pre-plan the hike, it’s going to be a fail. Dang it! Her blood sugar plummeted and we had to turn back and go to the Yukon. Disappointing and discouraging for Abbie, because she always feels terrible when an adventure gets waylaid by this terrible disease. We gave her some cheering up and some love and her spirits rebounded!
We made it back to camp with time to spare, ate lunch and headed out to Williamsburg. The trip was challenging as we went through the mountains but we finally made it! We were ready to tackle the historic triangle.
August 14th Jamestown Settlement, The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Stay at Williamsburg Thousand Trails
Captains Log: Travel Day, August 14th
Welcome to Williamsburg, VA. This is in my mind one of the great birthplaces of America. From the adventurous people of the Virginia Company settling in Jamestown to the rebels standing against the King to create a nation, Williamsburg offers a peek into the lives and sacrifices of these people.
We found ourselves camping at Williamsburg RV Campground with Thousand Trails. (We were hosted here) One thing I loved about this campground is they give you several sites to choose from and you can check them out BEFORE you set up. We found site A-26. We loved the location, even though it was not the most level site we could have chosen from. A-26 is a large end site near the entrance of the campground and we found that very appealing. The kids loved the pool and the game room where they met some friends and got out their energy. This campground is a perfect base camp for FULL days of historical adventures in the historic triangle.
Our first stop was at the Jamestown Settlement. I can occasionally be an overachiever (insert shocked face here) and thought we could get through all the sites in one day. Fortunately for us, the man at the register said, “Can I give you my opinion?” , being a person of some sensibility I said, “Sure.”
He suggested we do Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and stop in for stamps and mugs at the National Park sites. It sounded like a reasonable plan so we went with it. I am very glad we listened to his advice, we’d have been overwhelmed if we had tried to do it all.
JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT
Jamestown Settlement was a favorite for Abbie and Sam. The museum was interactive and laid out well. The artifacts and information was stunning and it really was incredible to think about how the people had come here to make a colony. After the museum, we made our way to the native american village where we were able to go into the lodges and look at a dug out canoe. However, everyone was amazed at the 3 reconstructed ships harbored at the dock. The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery were the highlight. Walking the decks of the ships and tween decks really opens your eyes up to what a trip across the ocean would have been like! Jamestown Settlement is a reconstructed village with lots of hands on activities and interpreters. We spent quite a bit of time here. Abbie suddenly developed a low blood sugar but fortunately there is a cafe onsite. We grabbed lunch there before heading to Yorktown.
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
This was my personal favorite of the day! Upon our Arrival we were treated to a 30 min lecture on Alexander Hamilton that just happened to be starting. It was amazing, Abbie and Sam seemed a bit lost but Matt, Nate and I drank in the information. I learned more in that 30 minutes than I learned in high school.
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is geared to all ages, but I personally thought that the older kids were able to take more in here than the younger ones. The exhibits are so well done and interactive. We happened on a film that was so well done in one of the galleries. Where it was done in 2D! You really felt like you were there at the battle.
We finished up the day there by going to the encampment and farm. Everything was winding down for the day and a storm was blowing in, so we rushed through it. Highlight here was the firing of the Brown Bess buy a interpreter. I really wish we would have had more time in this outdoor area.
Over all this was a very busy, long day, but was absolutely AMAZING!
August 16th Colonial Williamsburg
Captains Log: Travel Date, August 15th
Colonial Williamsburg is one of my favorite historical places in the United States. We always park at the visitor center where we get our tickets. Because we are educators we get 50% off our passes for Matt and I. If you are a teacher make sure to take your school ID and if you homeschool take your letter from your district or your HSLDA ID card to get the discount.
We love the sound of the fife and drum as we begin the experience here. There is something about that music that makes you want to start marching out the doors to the waiting buses! We are so glad that they have the busing system at Williamsburg, it makes the day so much easier and relaxed. Our family started at the Governor’s Mansion where we were treated to one of the BEST interpreters of the day. After the tour of the mansion, Abbie’s desire was to get lost in the maze and she certainly did that.
One of the highlights of being in Colonial Williamsburg is getting lunch at one of the Taverns. Our favorite is Chownings Tavern located in the middle of the town. It’s location makes for a perfect midday stop. We were treated to colonial style foods in a relaxed family friendly atmosphere.
Shopping and strolling the streets is delightful and before you know it 5 pm is rolling around and it’s time to close up the town. We wanted to see the fife and drum but Mother Nature was not interested in that. Pouring rain ascended on us and we raced to the closest bus stop. I think that was the biggest disappointment to not be able to show the kids the fife and drum.
Back at the camper I had prepared the meal in a crockpot and that was perfect since we returned back to the campsite soaked and tired.
If you have young children rent costumes for them! We did not do that on this trip but honestly, seeing your kids become part of the story is the best. I think it helps cement the learning when they become actively involved recreating history.
August 17th Travel Day From Williamsburg to Cape Hatteras
August 18th Cape Hatteras KOA and beach
Mother Nature woke us with thunderstorms and torrential rains. We hung out in the camper, relaxing and catching up on emails. Laundry needed done and this was a good time to get it caught up. (stinky teen boys) Fortunately, weather here in the Outer Banks is quick to change and by evening the skies had cleared and we went out to the beach for the sun, sand and waves! It was a short time out there but it was great to dip our toes in the ocean and find mole crabs!
