Newsletter 8 – Back to Fairfax for the ‘Special Occasions’ at Bates’

We left our lovely Boutique hotel at Sudbury and continued south into Connecticut, we were then able to use the ‘HOV lane’ this was if you had 2 or more passengers in the car, much faster, drove on great Parkways beautiful trees and on into New York State, the traffic slowed down as we were approaching the George Washington Bridge, this was awful, must admit that we haven’t experienced too many traffic hold ups on this trip, considering the amount of traffic, even with roadworks the traffic still keeps moving well.  Double fines if caught speeding in a roadwork signed area!!  On to the Bronx Expressway, looks rough high rise housing around here.  Finally onto the New Jersey Turnpike and on to the Hyatt at New Brunswick – a theatre city.  Nice hotel, walked down to Church Street for dinner, lots to choose from, our choice was an excellent Italian restaurant, followed by a walk around, very balmy evening then sat in the lounge and listened to some jazz. 

Next morning back onto the New Jersey Turnpike, speed limit 65mph, Pete doing 81mph, he does like the Mustang with the cruise control!!  Beautiful Delaware Bridges, one for traffic south and one for traffic north.  Into Maryland on the John F Kennedy Memorial Highway, approached Baltimore, lots of roads going round and over each other, used the Baltimore Harbour Tunnel.  We have noticed a strange pyramid type covered pile in various places along the side of the highway, and found out they are evidently salt piles for putting on the roads when there is heavy snow, interesting.  We then took the Outer Loop Capital Beltway around Washington DC, hard to believe all this green each side of us and we are only a ‘stone’s throw’ away from the big capital, they certainly planned their green areas well, that is one of the things we love.  Finally over the Potomac River and into the State of Virginia and arrived back at Fairfax late afternoon after a wonderful trip, having travelled about 1,400 miles Pete doing all the driving as I am not at all sure about driving on the ‘wrong’ side, Pete likes it.  The family were pleased to see us back, nice dinner and then Lee and I enjoyed champagne in the outdoor spa, much fun and frivolity. 

The next day was Shaun’s 18^th birthday, which began with Megan arriving and then present opening, lots of fun.  We had a busy day shopping and preparing food for Shaun’s celebrations the next day.  That evening we all went to ‘Brazin’s on Church’ in Vienna for a beautiful meal, amazing food.  Moet to begin with to celebrate the birthday, shame Megan & Shaun couldn’t have any, no alcohol til 21 here, very strict rule.  

Saturday was the day for ‘Eagle Scout’ presentation.  We prepared the hall and more food, a really lovely presentation service lasted about a half hour.  Very formal, a lot of scouts, leaders, other Eagle Scouts and friends attended.  Shaun made a great speech, Lee was presented with golden roses and a special pin, Shayne was also presented with a pin.  It was all very nice and we all felt very proud of Shaun.  This was followed but a light lunch of finger food which we had all prepared and a lovely cake, decorated with Shaun’s photo.  Following that, Megan took Shaun away so that we could go back to the house and get things ready for his surprise party.  Young people arrived, we adults and some other friends enjoyed drinks and nibbles outside.  As Megan & Shaun arrived home his friends were all able to give him a big surprise, they had a great night, as we all did.  Megan had made and decorated beautiful cupcakes which she arranged on a stand with an 18^th candle and surprised Shaun with this at the party.  We ended the evening with Shaun letting off fireworks and then the young girls made good use of the spa.

The following few days were relaxing for us all, some shopping and a movie.  Pete and I took Shayne into Washington DC one morning early as he had to catch a train into New York for a day of business, so we thought it a good opportunity to make another visit to the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial Wall and a new Smithsonian Museum ‘American Indians’ a beautiful building which has been built with doors facing the east like they built their tipis.  Four floors of amazing artefacts, the finest most amazing beaded items, including an American flag with names of tribes in the white stripes and in place of the stars were initials of all the states.  Beautiful canoes, kyaks etc, we wished we had more time to spend but had trouble finding parking for longer close by.  In a number of places we have noticed they have plastic bags hanging near the door for you to place your wet umbrella in, what a good idea.

Off we then went to visit Wegmans, a very upmarket supermarket which we loved last trip.  You can buy everything here, lots of meats and seafoods fully prepared for cooking, beautiful cakes, pastries, breads, a general supermarket, pharmacy etc.  A huge area with all different types of hot foods Asian, Italian, American, salads, fruit salad, sushi, cakes, tiny containers & spoons so you can taste before you decide what to put in your take away box, you then take your selection to cashier, she weighs the box and you pay the appropriate amount, all things are priced at $8.99 per lb.  Nice seating areas upstairs or down.  Then on to check out Costco, using our Australian card wanted to see if different to home.  Bigger array, as they have lots more people, enjoyed the experience and just happened to spot a bargain 2 extra suitcases which we bought to bring extra things home!

Friday morning Val & Bert, Lee’s parents left early to fly back to NZ.  Pete and I spent the day shopping at Wegmans again for food and then home to prepare a 5 course meal for Lee, Shayne, Megan & Shaun as a token of our appreciation for all they had done for us.  Great night, yes food was lovely (Poppy prepared a beautiful Antipasto platter, all lovely exquisite purchases from Wegmans).  We finished off with a genuine Key Lime Pie which I made with genuine key limes, purchased from Wegmans and the crust made with Graham crackers (we had trouble finding as, evidently they don’t understand our accent, they are pronounced ‘grarm’ crackers, I had to do lots of explaining!!)  Just for us to relax after our work, Shaun ran the indoor spa bath for us to use, that was most enjoyable.  The next day it is off to Las Vegas.

Trust this finds you all fit and well.

Love from Jan ‘n Pete