Cape Charles, VA (USA)

[while unsure about the status of the Government Shutdown, I took previously scheduled leave and my boss told me he'd let me know if work was officially going to end) - before leaving my apartment, I packed for a hiking trip that I planned to take if the Government closed - gas fillup in Alexandria (0945) - left for Eastern Shore - used I-495 and US-50 - at Chesapeake Bay Bridge by 1030 - it was very windy all the way and there were speed restrictions on the bridge - continued on US-50 until I reached US-13 in Salisbury (drove through town rather than using bypass) - stopped at Walmart in Fruitland and got light lunch at Dunkin Donuts (1215) - checked my email while there and learned I'd officially been furloughed - continued south to Chincoteague - all the parks (including Wallops NASA Facility) were closed and town was dead but was able to drive around in Assateague Island - saw wild ponies near the road, drove down the beach - walked to Lighthouse - couldn't get NPS stamp for Mollie because no gift shops were open - headed back to US-13 and drove south - not a lot of traffic - saw some tractors working a cotton harvest - decided to check out Cape Charles - found the downtown/waterfront area and explored for a bit - walked on a paved trail that followed the beach - it was very windy and I got lots of sand in my hair - drove back towards US-13 - stopped at the Cape Charles Brewing Company - enjoyed a flight (4) of beers with a friendly bartender (Aidan) - sampled Assateague IPA, Ole Reliable, a Blueberry beer and Horsey Norsey - done at 1630 - hadn't heard from Eileen all day but she said she'd be free for dinner - so decided to continue south towards the CBBT - stopped briefly at Kiptopeke State Park (not very exciting) and found the (closed) Eastern Short of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge - took a walk on a paved trail there (about two miles) from 1645 to 1730 - Mollie called me and then I started to get texts from Eileen - I'd thought she was in Exmore (only about 20 minutes away) but it turned out she was in Onancock (farther...) - headed north on US-13 immediately and turned west in Onley - after figuring out there were two Methodist Churches in town, I finally located the one where Eileen was staying with her SLU Habitat Crew - picked her up at 1825 and we looked for a place to eat dinner - discovered Kendall's Kountry Kitchen in Onley and were able to get some good food (no alcohol, much to Eileen's disappointment) - enjoyed a very nice talk over a Seafood Sampler plate for almost two hours - we only stopped visiting because the restaurant closed at 2030 and I had to drive back home - dropped her off in Onancock again and I headed north on US-13 - stopped for gas in New Church, VA (on the border) at 2115 - then US-13 to US-50 - traffic was light and I made good time - once I was on I-495, I hit construction area (minor) and arrived home at 0030]