The Plains, VA (USA)

I woke Mollie up at 0645 and we got ready for church. We went to 0730 Mass (St. Lawrence). Afterwards, Mollie ate breakfast (butter rum muffin, English muffin) and did some more studying. After learning that the Twilight Polo from the previous night had been rescheduled, we decided to drive out to enjoy it in the evening (and to stay inside all the rest of the day because of the heat). Mollie studied until 1400 and we then went to Wegmans (1420) to pick up a picnic dinner (18 inch sub, macaroni salad, bean salad, fruit drinks). We next drove to Sky Meadows State Park and used one of Mollie’s REI receipts to get free entrance (1530). While there, we toured the historic land and did a little nature walk. We also fed chickens! Our next stop was at Valley View Farm (Delaplane, near Paris), where we picked up some preserves (peach butter) and learned about apple picking opportunities. We then drove back to the east (to the Plains). When we arrived at Great Meadows, we didn't see anyone collecting the entry fee so we drove back to the Corner Store (at Old Tavern) and got some snacks (1655). At 1715, we went back to the Great Meadows entrance and waited there. Eventually, the people who run the Twilight Polo event informed us that no entrance fee would be collected. This was great news - we parked and took our picnic stuff unto the venue and set to for one of the four polo matches. We enjoyed our food while we watched the horses and riders. It was really hot and there were very few other spectators (because of the reschedule). Several times, the organizers asked us if we wanted to move into the empty boxes and we eventually followed their recommendation. We stayed until around 1930 and then drove home, arriving by 2030.