After a super breakfast in the Delly we walked over to the U.S. Naval Academy for a walking tour.

We happened to be there just before the Noon Meal Formation of the Plebes. Plebes are first year students at the USNA, and they arrive six weeks before the school year starts for Plebe Summer (their orientation to the USNA - i.e., Boot Camp). After the first year the Plebes become Midshipmen.

The Noon Meal Formation is a military formation with pomp and circumstance that leads to a march to the chow hall. You cannot just go to the chow hall to eat – you must do so with a military precession. Fun to watch, but probably not so much so if you are hungry.

Going to the Noon Meal with Style

After the formation left we were taken around to some of the other interesting spots on the Academy grounds and then left on our own to wander. The grounds are beautiful and, as you would imagine spotless.

Later we were back into the Main Street and harbor areas to wander further, have a little to drink and then a nap.

We found a nice Sushi place for dinner, followed by a nightcap and bed.

Posted by Dennis O'Dell at 7/28/2015 04:55:00 PM No comments: Labels: U.S. Naval Academy

Gettin' Our Kicks: Chapter 45 – Day 50 Gaithersberg to Annapolis, MD

July 22 - 23, 2015

We were next heading to Gaithersberg, MD to visit with my cousin Lorna. We had not seen each other for about 60 years, but have kept loosely in contact.

Gaithersberg is very close to Washington, DC and Lorna suggested staying away from the beltway and taking a back roads route that would take us across the Potomac River on White’s Ferry – an old cable ferry that crosses between Leesburg, VA and Dickerson, MD. This proved to be a good call.

The trip across the Potomac only took five minutes, but was fun and one more new adventure for the trip. We arrived mid afternoon and got settled in.

Lorna has been working extensively on our family tree for several years and is always finding new information. We spent the next days catching upon lots of family tidbits. Pretty interesting stuff…

Lorna and her husband Jeff have a lovely house with a huge deck off of the back. This backs up to some woods that offer up lots of wild critters, butterflies and birds. We had a nice time watching all the various butterflies and birds. Judith was treated to seeing three foxes early one morning and we had a raccoon visit us one evening.

Posted by Dennis O'Dell at 7/27/2015 09:34:00 PM No comments: Labels: White's Ferry VA and MD

Gettin' Our Kicks: Chapter 43 – Day 47 Peaks of Otter to Middleburg, VA

July 21, 2015

The weather was iffy when we were packing up to leave. It had just rained and was still sprinkling a little. But, with luck on our side, the rain went away as we headed north up the BRP.

We made a stop in the nice picnic area that we had all to ourselves and had an apple, almonds and water. This seemed to prove to be a good solution for keeping the energy up during the entire trip.

At the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway we said a sad good-bye and continued on to Middleburg and Treavor’s house.

About two hours from Treavor’s we had to head directly into a small rainstorm that lasted about 45 minutes. This would prove to be the last day of rain for the trip. We were very fortunate with rain. We could only count five times where the rain was actually significant. Not bad for two months of travel.

By the time we arrived at Treavor’s we were totally dry, but ready for a beer. Treavor delivered the goods.

Middleburg is an old town, at least by U.S. standards, established in 1787. Treavor’s home is 100 years plus old and has lots of character.

We enjoyed a nice dinner just a block up the street and a pleasing visit.

Thank you again Treaver.
Posted by Dennis O'Dell at 7/27/2015 09:02:00 PM No comments: Labels: Middleburg VA

Gettin' Our Kicks: Chapter 42 – Day 46 Floyd to Peaks of Otter, VA

July 18 - 19, 2015

July 18th

First things first… Breakfast!

At 7:30 we headed off to Meadows of Dan and the Poor Farmer’s Market for breakfast.

Once we were all satisfied and reinvigorated we headed out to enjoy Jim’s Invisible Roads. We used the BRP as our not so invisible road to get to the really good stuff.

After leaving the BRP we wound around all throughout the Blue Ridge Plateau area on roads with big sweeping turns to narrow tight and technical twisty turns.

Judith had been a little concerned that she would be the slowest and weakest rider of the group, but her concern was for not. She was right there with all of us and over the day her skill through corners was greatly improved. She got a bunch of compliments from everyone.

Jim was also kind enough to provide some of his secret sauce riding tips to Judith, even though this was not a real workshop.

At some point we encountered a bit of rain, but not enough to cause too much concern. The sun came out later and we all dried off pretty fast.

Here are a few of our stops... At the end of the day we had about 225 miles in of 80% super roads.

We cleaned up and had a session at the Red Chair Society before going to Mickey G's Bistro & Pizzeria, a wonderful Italian restaurant in Floyd.

Once again – first things first… Breakfast!

Breakfast was in a different spot today and I have forgotten the name and no pictures.

We took the same approach today as we did yesterday – BRP to the good stuff.

More new and great roads once again…
At one point we were on highway 58 (a road where I had crashed a few years ago), going up the hill through a series of very tight switchbacks, when the heavens opened up. After a small bit of thought we turned back down the hill and through the same switchbacks in a pretty heavy rain.

However, at the turnaround point Judith suffered a small incident. Actually it was not a big deal, but rather a Laugh In kind of tip over when she went to put her foot down on a sloping side of the road and the slop was a little too much – so she found nothing but air. This popped the left side mirror off and broke the tip of the clutch lever. No damage to Judith however (other than her pride), so that was good.

Once back at the bottom of the hill the rain stopped and we stopped for lunch and to dry out our gear.

After lunch I “MacGyvered” the mirror back on to Judith’s bike, so all was good and off we went for more fun. Judith’s tip over didn’t faze her in the least and she was still improving through the twisty roads. We even had a half mile or so of gravel road she conquered.

At the end of second 225-mile day we repeated our ritual of unwinding at the Red Chair Society. Then one more go to the Pine Tavern Restaurant for unbelievably good Southern food.
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