Nomad Life - Day 204

When I woke up this morning (0615, before alarm), I felt sore from the workout the night before.  Thinking that I'd be soon departing (as I'd discussed with Brenna), started getting ready to depart.  Meanwhile, Brenna was still sleeping...  When our departure time (0800) for Mr. J's Bagels arrived, it was clear that the plan was changing.  Trying to be efficient, I packed up my car and spent some time working on travel planning, taxes, reading, Duolingo and puzzles.  Along the way, I heard from Mollie that she had an emergency with Maple (her dog) and might not be home in Fredericksburg at the time I arrived.  As a result of this development, I decided to delay my departure from Harrisonburg until it was more convenient.  At 0830, Brenna was finally ready to go to breakfast and I decided we could drive together (since I was staying longer).  Outside, it was another wonderful day, with temps in the high 50s and lots of sun.  Instead of going to the "normal" Mr. J's (located near the JMU Campus), Brenna took me to the one on the west side of Harrisonburg.  No matter - we got the same tasty food!  I ordered (at 0850) a bagel sandwich on a "maple syrup bagel", with Taylor Ham and a side of breakfast potatoes.  Brenna got something similar but with bacon.  We both enjoyed the food and ambiance (Mr. J's is kind of a family tradition).  We finished eating at 0915 and then drove a short distance to Hillandale Park so we could go for a walk.  Brenna introduced me to the Friendly City Trail and we logged three miles on the paved trail.  We also had more good conversation - I knew I'd miss this benefit of Dad-Daughter visiting...  During this time, I got more updates from Mollie - she said she wanted to meet up in Beaverdam (near where Maple was getting some vet care) and offered an opportunity to go kayaking on Lake Anna.  I was very excited to hear about that!  Brenna started to develop a blister (in her flip flops) and (at 1045), we agreed to return to Brenna's apartment.  After double checking that I wasn't forgetting anything, I said goodbye to my daughter.  We had a wonderful week together!  By 1100, I was in my Subaru and headed east (on back roads and US-33) .  The temps had risen to 70 F and it was still a wonderfully sunny day.  As I drove, I noticed signs for the "Spotswood Trail" - this was the first time I realized it was close to the route used during the early Nineteenth Century expedition I'd read about in a book recently.  I crossed the Shenandoah at Swift Run Gap and continued east on US-33).  At one point, I noticed signs for James Madison's Montpelier (his home) and decided to get off the four lane US Highway to check it out.  To reach the landmark, I followed VA-20 into rural Orange County.  Along the way, I passed lots of signs about the upcoming "Gerrymandering" ballot initiative; actually, I've been seeing those for weeks but this area seemed particularly divided on the subject.  At 1215, I arrived at Montpelier and was surprised to find out they had a "fee free" day!  Montpelier was hosting an event called "We the Kids" but they told me everyone was welcome.  Immediately, I called Mollie to ask if I could tarry in that area and she said it was OK because she still wasn't done with her dog.  For the next hour, I explored the house and the grounds, learning a lot about the fourth president.  From several points, I got wonderful views of the Shenandoah ridge in the distance - what a beautiful panorama!  I toured the home and even met some reenactors (Mr. Madison and Colonel Monroe).  Before departing, I paid my respects at the family cemetery, where there was a big obelisk in memory of the Fourth President and Father of the Constitution (a smaller stone memorialized his wife, Dolly).  By 1315, I was on the road again (temps 72 F) and drove, by a series of zigs and zags, to Beaverdam (the route was VA-20, VA-629, US-522, VA-208, VA-652, VA-601, VA-715, VA-739, VA-800 and VA-684).  During this transit down the western side of Lake Anna, the gas prices were ridiculously higher than I'd been seeing elsewhere.  On the positive side, traffic was light and the weather was still wonderful.  Near the end of my journey, I passed by the historic train depot in Beaverdam.  Mollie and Alex had told me about it several times but this was the first time I ended up near it.  At 1415, I arrived at the home of Alex's parents by 1415 and spent some time visiting.  Despite hours of care and attention for Maple, Mollie and Alex were still worried about their dog.  As a result, there were some delays in the afternoon plans with my daughter.  In fact, I thought everything might be canceled.  However, at 1600 (with kayaks fully loaded in Alex's truck), Mollie and I departed for Pleasants Landing (located on the southeast corner of Lake Anna, near the dam).  About 20 minutes later, we launched our kayaks from the Marina there and then spent time paddling on the water.  The weather was still wonderful (albeit a bit windy) and we were treated to signs and sounds of so many cool birds (Bald Eagle and Osprey among them).  After about 75 minutes (2.5 miles),  we wrapped up my first paddle of the season and re-loaded the kayaks in the truck.  Since it was nearly 1730 by that point, I suggested we get some dinner at the Marina's restaurant: El Gran Patron (Mexican).  We got seats on a patio outside and enjoyed enchiladas.  I even got a margarita!  We continued our nice conversation - it was great to see Mollie again.  We finished our meal at 1820 and headed back to Alex's parents' home.  While I unpacked the truck with Alex and visited a bit with his parents, Mollie went to get some (cheaper) gas nearby.  After saying my own goodbyes, I waited for my daughter at the exit of Alex's parents' neighborhood.  When she drove by (1920), I followed her in the direction of Fredericksburg (Alex stayed with his parents so he could complete a household project he was working on).  Maple came with our little car convoy.  Somehow, Mollie took me on back roads (with the last part of the drive being on US-1) all the way to her apartment.  This was a pleasant, mostly traffic free route with an opportunity to watch a beautiful sunset.  We arrived in Fredericksburg at about 2000 and Mollie set up the TV for us to watch a movie.  After learning that I'd never seen "Twisters", we started that film.  I was surprised that it wasn't horrible, although I told Mollie I still like the original better.  The wine we had while watching the movie made it a bit better, though!  At 2200, we wrapped up our evening together and, after I went to the guest room, I did some reading and Duolingo before bed (2300).  It was a wonderful day of great weather, breakfast & walking with Brenna and paddling & movies with Mollie!