Neil and Rosie Dewey: Start of Vacation: North Carolina; President's Homes, Quantico Museum, Wash. DC

Washington, DC

Pictured here are the Lincoln's Memorial, the White House, and the Congressional Building.

For our trip to Washington, DC, Neil's cousin, Jane suggested we stay in Springfield, VA, to avoid driving into the city. We could then take the Metro Train into town. Sounded great to us; except our Navigation System on the car wasn't current, and didn't show the new freeway systems that had recently been installed.

We could actually see our hotel from the freeway when we drove into Springfield, but we couldn't get to it!! After an hour of trying, and 3 or 4 trips down different freeways looking for a place to turn around to get back to the hotel, we called. They said they couldn't help us because we didn't know if we were traveling North, South, East or West.... Finally, Neil shot across at a stop sign to get out of the Freeway loop trap and found an exit that took us to the hotel. That was our driving nightmare of the trip. At least it was only once! And, when we got to the hotel, they didn't have a room. They directed us to a nearby nice hotel and we found a place to eat close by! Believe me, we didn't get back on the freeways until we were heading out of town towards Arlington National cemetery. And, we had made sure we got specific directions from the computer before we left the hotel!

Quantico Marine Museum, Virginia...

After our visit to the President's homes in Virginia, we traveled North towards Washington, DC. We stopped at the Quantico Marine Museum in Virginia, which had a wonderful display of World War II memorabilia and pictures. With Neil's interest in WWII he really enjoyed visiting here. It was then on to Washington DC.

FORMER PRESIDENT'S HOMES

George Washington

Neil & I in front of Mount Vernon, Arlington, VA. Home of the first President, George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, a former president and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence.

VASS, North Carolina

After visiting with Jane for a couple of days, we traveled on to Vass, NC, to stay with a high school classmate of Rosie's, Darla (Stevens) Howe and her husband Jim.

While there Rosie & Darla attended a Women's Fashion Show, and Neil & Jim went to a nearby Airborne Museum. Later that day we all toured the area, and visited the Pinehurst Golf Course where several U.S. Open Golf matches have been played.

CHARLOTTE, NC

On the morning of March 9, Neil & I flew out of Seattle, WA, to Charlotte, NC. When we left Seattle it was snowing hard and they were de-icing our plane. We arrived in Charlotte at 8:30 pm in 80 degree weather, and I was wearing my fleece-lined snow boots! Ooops. We went shopping the next day so I could pick up some short-sleeved blouses. I had only brought warmer clothes - sweaters and sweatshirts.

Neil's cousin, Jane Retherford, was selling her 2005 Honda Accord, and we decided to purchase it from her. Instead of having it shipped to us, we chose to make a vacation of it by flying back to pick it up, and then driving it back home. It was a great time to see many famous tourist attractions and visit family & friends along the way.

Neil & I with his cousin, Jane, and her friend, Rob