4/23/15 Virginia Spring (#2)

Moving north and arriving for Spring #2 in Virginia made it easier to leave the aqua waters and warm sunny days of  Florida. With the Navy giving Jack so little notice to get his personal and professional life in order, we made a bee line back to our old stomping grounds near Fairfax VA splitting our time between Lake Fairfax Park Campground and Bull Run Regional Park Campground where acres of bluebells along the river were just beginning to bloom.  Both parks are lovely and well used by the locals for camping and picnicking.  John made a 5 hour solo kayak trip down Bull Run encountering shallows, trees across the river, small rapids he calls ripples and a sharp turn that he doesn't think we could have been made if I were with him in the tandem kayak.  

Cousin Mattie

John and Jack Billy Goat Trail

The first order of business was moving Jack out of his Washington DC apartment.  Many thanks to Deb's cousin Bruce and Carol for storing his belongings until the Navy takes over. Before he left for Newport RI, we went hiking with cousin Mattie at Great Falls Park in Maryland and picnicked beside the C&O Canal.  The replica of an original canal boat in the background is being pulled by mules.  If you hike the Billy Goat Trail, remember it got its name for reason.  This was the most challenging hike I have ever done, climbing constantly over rocks, boulders and up and down steep rock faces. But I did it!!!

 Jack is extremely excited about becoming a fourth generation Navy man but will miss his Environics associates.  The CEO sent a letter to the employees wishing him well and expounding on his character, qualities and accomplishments at the company.  We celebrated Jack's first week at OCS with a champagne toast with a couple of retired admiral friends and spouse who between them and John had over 100 years of naval service.  GO JACK!!  GO NAVY!!

Jack's best friend from high school is getting married in the fall and Deb attended Shelbi's bridal shower.  It was great to catch up with the Mom's.  Jack is supposed to be a co-best man; we'll see if the Navy let's him go.  Zoe also came to town to attend a wedding and baby shower for her friends.  Unfortunately a mid-April snow storm grounded her connecting flight in Denver causing her to arrive (sans luggage) in time for only a few hours of the reception AND in the same clothes she started with 36 hours earlier.  All were elated that she made it and she enjoyed catching up with high school friends.

Zoe and Sarah