Snow falls before Christmas as we spend time in PA Our holiday travels took us north by train this year from Jacksonville to Philadelphia so we could spend time with Dave’s family in Allentown. As the snow fell, we picked up our rental car and headed south to Virginia, our next stop to spend time with Bonnie and her family. We made another stop in NC to visit with Cathy’s family before heading back to Jacksonville to bring in the New Year.
The Silver Meteor arriving in Jacksonville. North by Train
We had booked seats in coach on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor to make the overnight run to Philadelphia on the 2nd Sunday of December. However, we had the opportunity to “bid up” for the chance to upgrade to a roomette. We decided to make a low bid and take our chances on getting the upgrade. To our surprise (and delight), we won the bid. So, we had a much more pleasant ride north, enjoying a dinner and breakfast with fellow passengers and a much more comfortable night’s sleep. (We made a video about the trip and the BidUp process.)
We had booked seats in coach on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor to make the overnight run to Philadelphia on the 2nd Sunday of December. However, we had the opportunity to “bid up” for the chance to upgrade to a roomette. We decided to make a low bid and take our chances on getting the upgrade. To our surprise (and delight), we won the bid. So, we had a much more pleasant ride north, enjoying a dinner and breakfast with fellow passengers and a much more comfortable night’s sleep. (We made a video about the trip and the BidUp process.)
Christmas comes to the Philadelphia 30th Street Station. Arriving in Philadelphia the next morning, we enjoyed the amenities of the Metro Lounge for a few hours before boarding a bus to Allentown. Arriving mid-afternoon, we were greeted by Diane and Dave’s Mom and began a week of visiting with them.
Dave gets a reminder of life up north as we pick up our rental car. By week’s end, we were looking out at falling snow, wondering how this might impact our departure the next day. It did delay us a few hours, as we chipped the ice from the windshield and shoveled it from the driveway and sidewalks before heading out for Virginia.
Our sad looking Santa dog was joined by a happy Santa frog. They guarded our door to the cabin. Virginia
Nine hours after we began our 6 hour drive to Virginia, we finally pulled into our cabin at Pocahontas State Park. And we didn’t leave all of the cold weather behind us when we got to Virginia. After decorating the Cabin for Christmas, we finished up our Christmas shopping and had a little time to explore some nearby parks that we had meant to visit.
Nine hours after we began our 6 hour drive to Virginia, we finally pulled into our cabin at Pocahontas State Park. And we didn’t leave all of the cold weather behind us when we got to Virginia. After decorating the Cabin for Christmas, we finished up our Christmas shopping and had a little time to explore some nearby parks that we had meant to visit.
We visited Bear Creek Lake State Park during our Virginia stay. So, on a cold Monday morning, we drove an hour west to Bear Creek Lake State Park near Cumberland VA. This park has 3 campground loops and a lake with a swim beach and boats for rent in season. The campground is closed in preparation for a year-long renovation, but we wandered through to see what sites might be of interest in a future stay.
View from the campground at Powhatan State Park. Our next stop was Powhatan State Park 45 minutes northeast of Bear Creek Lake. This park was created from the acreage given to the state by a school that originally covered more than a thousand acres along the James River in this rural county. We explored it a bit before the cold inspired us to retreat back to the car for a trip back to the cabin and a warm fire.
 Enjoying Christmas Dinner |  |
We joined Bonnie, Troy and the kids for a lovely Christmas Day celebration. Cathy was trounced again in a new game of Yahtzee Word, and Grandpa watched as Troy added to his trophies in his video game hunt. After a delicious meal, the time was getting late, so we said our goodbyes and made our way back to the cabin. The next day, we began dismantling the decorations and packing up for a Friday departure.
Next stop NC.
Next stop NC.
A small section of a massive display of Christmas lights at the Bonds' house. North Carolina
Driving a short distance to Wake Forest, NC, we spent a day with Cathy’s family, making the most of the 24 hours we had together. Chris and Carolyn traveled east from their homes and Christine and Harry made the shorter drive in from Wendell, and Ann came from work to join all of us at a post-Christmas Thai dinner. Afterward, we had to make a tour of the Bond homestead’s Christmas light display, which was spectacular. Even the cows were impressed. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the pictures to do it justice.
Driving a short distance to Wake Forest, NC, we spent a day with Cathy’s family, making the most of the 24 hours we had together. Chris and Carolyn traveled east from their homes and Christine and Harry made the shorter drive in from Wendell, and Ann came from work to join all of us at a post-Christmas Thai dinner. Afterward, we had to make a tour of the Bond homestead’s Christmas light display, which was spectacular. Even the cows were impressed. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the pictures to do it justice.
Our rental car had some great fuel mileage, but it was a little small. Back to Jacksonville
We joined the rest of the East Coast travelers on I95 on the weekend after Christmas heading south toward Florida. As night fell on Saturday, we stopped just before Google Maps said there would be miles of snarled traffic in southern SC. The next day, we managed to avoid most of the backups until the heavens opened up as we made our way past Savannah. After pulling off for the worst of it, we drove through weather most of the way back, pulling into Jacksonville midday on Sunday.
We joined the rest of the East Coast travelers on I95 on the weekend after Christmas heading south toward Florida. As night fell on Saturday, we stopped just before Google Maps said there would be miles of snarled traffic in southern SC. The next day, we managed to avoid most of the backups until the heavens opened up as we made our way past Savannah. After pulling off for the worst of it, we drove through weather most of the way back, pulling into Jacksonville midday on Sunday.
Cathy Joe, Carolina and Dave sit in the open spot where Faith's sign had been. We spent New Year’s Eve catching up on some work in the RV until we receive a knock on the door. The church signs which graced the entrance and exit were coming down to be replaced soon by a new one. Mike and Sandy had managed to pull down all of one and much of another. Could we help a little with the cleanup? Instead, we recruited Joe’s help and managed to finish removing the 2nd sign in short order. And we were rewarded for our efforts by an invitation to an impromptu New Year’s Eve get-together with Elsie and Nelson. We didn’t make it to midnight, but we enjoyed the visit and the good food.
As the year ended, we took a look back at our travels, our projects, and our times together with family and friends. The results are in the video below.
As the year ended, we took a look back at our travels, our projects, and our times together with family and friends. The results are in the video below.
Parting Shot
Having traveled through snow, rain and some very cold temperatures, we were greeted with a few days of warm weather upon our return. This hibiscus glistened after the rain that followed us home.
Having traveled through snow, rain and some very cold temperatures, we were greeted with a few days of warm weather upon our return. This hibiscus glistened after the rain that followed us home.
