2014-04 North to Virginia Beach VA, then on to Millersville MD to visit the Capitol

We wanted to have two days to explore DC, so we made our way quickly north into Virginia, where we stayed only one night at Virginia Beach KOA (using our workamper voucher - cool deal!). It was still very early in the season, so it was pretty empty.

Perhaps I do!

I thought it was pretty creative marketing, to take what some may consider a drawback and make it an asset...F18 Superhornets fly over constantly from nearby military installations. I actually love hearing and watching the jets - my co-workers years ago in Virginia Beach laughed at me whenever I ran to the windows to see them. Maybe if I lived there it would get old, but I don't think so!

This is the first of several "jumping pillows" we saw at KOA's - don't know if this is a new thing, but the kids LOVE them. Like a big huge trampoline and kids were playing on it for hours.

Our site at Virginia Beach KOA

We headed out early the next morning and took the scenic route along the oceanfront on our way to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

 

The Flagship Inn & Suites, by local muralist Sam Welty

After driving down the Virginia Beach oceanfront, we stopped for a few minutes at First Landing State Park, where the Jamestown colonists first landed in 1607. I had been here 20+ years ago and remembered it being quite beautiful. Now there are dozens of cargo ships heading in or out of Chesapeake Bay - I don't remember seeing so many!

This ship ran aground just the previous day (when this area and the Outer Banks had bad rain and wind storm); they were able to move it out a few days later

We had opted to take the route across the bridge-tunnel which was recommended by friends at Jolly Roger.

 

After a ways on a bridge, down you go under the water

This route was shorter, less traffic, but we did have a $22 toll - worth every penny to experience the fascinating engineering marvel that is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It also took us onto the "eastern shores" of Maryland (on the peninsula shared with Virginia and Delaware) passing through the area surrounding Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad.

While in the tunnel, altitude check was -40ft. Interesting!

Approaching the 2nd tunnel, notice there is no bridge ahead!



 

Along the way, near the Maryland-Delaware line, we passed right by Chincoteague and Assateague Islands where some of my favorite childhood books took place - the award-winning stories of Marguerite Henry. Yes, I think I read all of them! Disappointed that we couldn't stop, but understand it makes for a very long day...and too many very long days in a row would mean we wouldn't have energy to hoof around DC for two days! So, the "real" wild ponies of Chincoteague were not on the agenda this trip.

 

Our second big bridge of the day, we crossed back over Chesapeake Bay (towards the northern end) into Anapolis area, on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which is the only other bridge spanning this 200-mile long estuary (longest estuary in the US). The Bay Bridge is also considered by some to be the scariest bridge in America, so much so that they'll pay others to drive their car across. 

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge going back across the bay to Anapolis

 

Arrived at Capitol KOA in Millersville, MD (north of DC, south of Baltimore) for a 3 night stay, using a KOA workamper voucher for one night. Though this was a more expensive stay than we usually sign up for, their shuttle to DC was a good deal, very convenient and comforting to know we don't have to fight traffic or parking.

 

Our spot at Capitol KOA