Spring Break Road Trip (Part 1)

Last year we had to wait until the last minute to book our spring break--my husband was waiting on some scheduling news, and we didn't want to commit to flights or hotels--so we figured that once we knew our plans, we would make a driving trip with whatever time we had. The only thing we had to do was end up on Easter Sunday in Talbot County, Maryland, as that was where my husband's first show Alternate Route was being filmed. So with that in mind, and 8 free days before that, we created an itinerary that is a pretty awesome road trip, if I do say so myself. While I will give each stop a post a day, here's the rough idea (in case you find yourself in a similar situation this spring break)-NYC to the Homestead Resort in Virginia, to Richmond, to Colonial Williamsburg, to Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, to Talbot County in Maryland, and then DC, to home.

Somewhere deep in Pennsylvania (near Carlisle) we spotted this military museum, the US Army Heritage and Education Center, and took the exit. It was a great place to run around--it has a huge outdoor museum, reinforce some history lessons, and as you can see, it's right on the highway.

We rolled in to the Homestead at around 7:30pm. What a lovely drive it was though--the Shenandoah Mountains are so pretty--and once we got to the hotel, we forgot about the long drive pretty much immediately.

We had dinner at Sam Snead's Tavern, which is not exactly on property, but in the little village of Hot Springs, just a 5 minute walk from the Homestead. They had a great charcuterie plate--we went crazy for their local pickles. The tavern has great character--lots of old school golf paraphenalia everywhere, a roaring fire, and hearty classics.

I-95 Food Tip

I love collecting tips for places to eat off of major highways. That's when we really need ideas the most-- a good stop can really make the day. Well that and a nice bathroom, and a park with a great playground. In another life, I'd have my own chain of highway gas station/rest stops with a great 24 hour diner (think Farmer's Diner in Vermont), big grassy area that isn't for dogs but for kids to run, a playground, smart to-go food, and an espresso bar. Until that happens, I'll just post when I find something that sounds worth a stop. South of DC off of I 95 , in the town of Occoquan VA, is Mom's Apple Pie Company .  I read about it in Southern Living , and that's where the pictures here come from. Fruit comes from their own farms, and they also make their own breads and cookies in addition to the amazing looking pies. And there's a 400 acre park right there too--the Occoquan Regional Park.

(photos from Jennifer Davick for Southern Living)

Easter at...The Greenbrier

I love an Easter egg hunt. And Easter egg baskets, filled with chocolates. I think Easter at the Greenbrier, in the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia, pictured above, must be pretty idyllic.  

Check out what they have going on for Easter weekend:

"Greenious H. Brier, The Greenbrier’s very own holiday hare, to preside over the Easter Fun Fest and Egg Hunt. Live children’s theatre performance and jelly bean guessing contest. Hippity Hop Dinner Dance Party, a dinner buffet on Saturday. Easter Sunday Brunch..."