Virginia Travels

Amtrak carried us to Richmond, Virginia on July 1, where we were warmly met by Grand-mère, Pop-Pop, and Grandma Carolyn:

The next day, Sam turned three and three quarters, a fact which she shared repeatedly with everyone she met.

We picked up a rental car and then drove to Charlottesville, where AC and I lived for 10 years. Charlottesville is where we went to graduate school, where we got married, where we still own a house, and where our bosom friends still live and work.

We stayed with “Aunt Skip,” her kitty Topaz, and a collection of vintage “Dorbies” (aka Barbies. Some time ago Sam decided that Dorbie was a better name and we agree).

We checked on our house, which has been on the market since April.

Sam enjoyed exploring it and approved of the carpet, the stairs, and the backyard grassy hill which was quite suitable for tumbling.

She also got to play with her pal Benjamin:

And celebrate his third birthday with him, in Peter Pan’s Never Land!

From Never Land and Charlottesville, we retraced our steps to Richmond and trained back to Pennsylvania. In a few days we’ll return to California. If only we could fly on happy thoughts like Peter Pan… for we sure did gather plenty on this east coast trip.