Brigantine, New Jersey to Massanutten, Virginia 2/28/2014

FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (Friday)

 

Moving day! Always exciting and stressful on moving day. You’d think after almost a year of doing this we wouldn’t get stressed, but we do. We were up and getting ready to pack it up into the car around 8:30 AM. When we looked outside, the sun was out.  The temperature said it was only 17, but it looked lovely. The high of the day was 37.

Crisp clear day.
Crisp clear day.

We were on the road by 10:00 AM. The trip to Massanutten is about 400 miles and took about six hours. We didn’t stop, except for gas ($3.35 a gallon) and some drinks. We ate leftovers from last night’s dinner for breakfast/lunch (plus Michael got us a cookie when he filled up with gas).

I suspect the white on the blacktop is from brine that is spread to fight ice.
I suspect the white on the blacktop is from brine that is spread to fight ice.
Nice looking bank.
Nice looking bank.
Crossing into Delaware.
Crossing into Delaware.
Nice waterway.
Nice waterway.
Tunnel under the bay.
Tunnel under the bay.
Cruise ship out of Baltimore.
Cruise ship out of Baltimore.
Mormon Temple, very pretty looking.
Mormon Temple, very pretty looking.
Gas station.
Gas station.
For some reason it wouldn't let me fill up all the way.
For some reason it wouldn’t let me fill up all the way.

On the drive, it was weird because we had to go up to near Philadelphia and then down to almost Washington D.C. The traffic was horrible in some spots, which slowed us down a bit in the Baltimore and the D.C. areas. We got into the Shenandoah Valley and Skyline Drive, which was lovely. We were expecting much more snow, but were greatly surprised and relieved that it was a good road and a clear road.

The GPS took us the back way into Massanutten. Surprised at how crowded it was. We thought we were the only ones in the area. The lobby was extremely crowded. We got there around 4:00 PM and were able to check right in. The sweet girl behind the desk asked what floor we wanted. Nice to get the option. We were then directed to the “parking people,” and we signed up for a presentation tomorrow afternoon. For going we were given two activity cards.

Near Luray Caverns.
Near Luray Caverns.

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Pool at the check-in building.
Pool at the check-in building.

When we drove to our new “home,” were were quite surprised in a good way. It’s beautiful, large, and has a washer and dryer in the hallway. There are steps so this place would not be good for handicapped people, but there is an elevator once you climb up the steps and into the lobby. The living room has clean and comfortable furniture, a large flat screen television for Michael, and a lovely gas fireplace. It’s an open concept so the dining room and kitchen are off to the side but it’s separated by tile as opposed to the carpet in the living room. Lexi’s room has two twin beds (she prefers a larger bed), but her bathroom has a HUGE bathtub in it, almost a swimming pool. It also has a large separate shower. Nice. Our bedroom has a lovely king sized bed, a desk, a chair, a nice bathroom, and a small closet. It’s very nice. The whole unit is lovely. We are going to be quite comfortable here this week, even if we get snowed in.

Living room.
Living room.
Living room TV and fireplace.
Living room TV and fireplace.
Lex's room.
Lex’s room.
Master
Master
Guest bath swimming pool.
Guest bath swimming pool.
Guest bath shower.
Guest bath shower.
Pretty woman photographing guest vanity.
Pretty woman photographing guest vanity.

Master vanity.

Master vanity.
Master vanity.

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Master tub.
Master tub.
Entrance to master bath from master.
Entrance to master bath from master.
Dining table.
Dining table and kitchen.
View from the deck.
View from the deck.

After we lugged in two loads of things from the car, and rested for a bit, we decided to go have dinner and do some grocery shopping. We were told the Food Lion was only four miles away. Nice we’re not isolated like I thought we would be. We decided to eat at Ciro’s Italian, a nice place near Food Lion. We got there around 5:00 PM, and was glad we got there early because by the time we left the place was packed. The food was excellent. Michael ordered soup, a salad, and some onion rings; Lexi ordered spaghetti; and I ordered a chicken, spinach and mushroom dish. Really great food and service. Highly recommend.

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Lex had a Riesling.
Lex had a Riesling.
Edie had a White Zin, and fearing gout, I had water.
Edie had a White Zin, and fearing gout, I had water.
Salad for Lex.
Salad for Lex.
Edie had salad.
Edie had salad.
I had soup.
I had soup.
I shared a few onion rings.
I shared a few onion rings.
I had a Greek Salad.
I had a Greek Salad.
Edie had Chicken Florentine, not pictured is Lex's chicken parmesan and a basket of bread.
Edie had Chicken Florentine, not pictured is Lex’s chicken parmesan and a basket of bread.

Next was grocery shopping, which we did rather quickly and were back in our room by 7:30 PM.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!

 

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