Nanjemoy, MD (USA)

I had an appointment in Fairfax with my new tax advisor, so I left my apartment at 0915 and drove (via I-495, I-66 and US-50) to the appointment, which lasted from 1000 to 1045.  I called Mollie on the way home, to make sure she would be ready to go on an adventure.  Just before I was going to hang up, I realized that I was very close (on US-50) to Freddy's Steakburgers and Frozen Custard - I asked Mollie if she wanted me to get lunch there and she enthusiastically agreed.  I got the food and we ate together after I arrived home (1130).  We had a great conversation over delicious burgers, fries and custard & cookie sandwiches.  After we were done eating, Mollie finished packing and we departed for Southern Maryland (1215).  We’d intended to visit my government client’s Christmas Tree farm (usually open on this weekend).  However, after an hour of driving (mostly on MD-210 and back roads to Nanjemoy), we arrived (1315) to find that it was closed.  I was disappointed but Mollie didn’t seem phased - instead, she redirected our excursion towards the Piscataway National Farm.  It took a lot of back road driving (and Google Maps led us astray again) but we eventually arrived at the NPS Unit 1445.  The place was a ghost town - there wasn't even car in the parking lot.  But, as usual, we had a lot of fun by ourselves, walking around and visiting the animals; we talked a bit more about Christmas plans, college applications, travel (etc.).  It was a brisk, damp day, but we were treated to great views of Mount Vernon (on the other side of the Potomac), lots of cows, chickens, donkeys, turkeys and pigs.  We then drove back to Alexandria (via MD-210, which had become a speed camera zone all the way).  Because of traffic on I-495, we ended up exiting the Interstate at Eisenhower Avenue, which gave us an opportunity to stop briefly at the Animal Shelter.  Mollie and I enjoyed seeing the animals there and then we went to Nicky’s, arriving at around 1530.  I dropped Mollie off (so she could go to a cookout at Steve’s with the whole family) and went home.