A Trip to Virginia

A mid week trip to Virginia was well worth the drive.  The point of our trip was to watch Teddy graduate as a 2 Lieutenant in the US Marines at Quantico.

What a nice little get away.  We stayed in historic Fredericksburg, VA at the Richard Johnston Inn on Caroline Street.  A comfortable room at the very tip – top of the house aka attic.

Our room was called “Old Town”

We arrived around 3 pm, unpacked, called Teddy who drove to meet us then set out on foot to explore the town. We stopped for refreshments and to catch up with Teddy.  More walking, a little relaxing and deciding on a place for dinner.  Ted’s choice and it was “FoodE”

A very small, basic little eatery down a long, dark alley.

Just a one page menu but everything looked good.

Wine served in jar glasses…doesn’t get much more casual than that!

Both Ted and I had heaping mounds of wild rice shrimp pilaf.  It was very, very good but much to much to eat for one. Teddy had roast chicken and only bones were left.  I didn’t ask but it had to be good.

Teddy drove back to his apartment near Quantico and Ted and I tried to walk off dinner.

We found an interesting Bavarian restaurant right near the train station called The Bavarian Chef.

We enjoyed a cup of coffee and some samplings of their traditional brews. 

Wednesday was graduation day which started with gentle rain fall but cleared later in the morning.  I ran an easy 5 miles as Ted walked the streets for more exploring.

Following breakfast at the B&B and an all morning window shopping excursion through historic Fredericksburg, we met up with Teddy for a visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The galleries included overview of Marines on land, sea, and air.  It explained the transformation from civilian to team oriented warriors. 

One gallery detailed the birth of the Corps in 1775 through the Civil War. Of course WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam were also represented in interesting, breath taking galleries.

We couldn’t dawdle as Teddy had to get back to his apartment, change and back on base for graduation – which he learned, while at the museum, had been pushed up from 5:30 to 5 pm. 

The formal suit required for officers graduation was SO fitted, “Dad” had to help button up.

He’s ready.

We’re so proud. We’re also SO SHORT!

Driving into Quantico was no picnic.  Through one guard gate, out another, an then in again. Parking was scarce. 

We waited an hour for ceremonies to begin.

Teddy is an officer.  A 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marines.

What a way to spend a few days in Virginia. 

Good bye Quantico.  We might be back again since Teddy will be on base for another 9 months perfecting his assignment.

Congratulations Teddy!