Monday, 24 June 2013
Prince William Forest Park, Occoquan, Virginia
Awaking early, the adventurers began to clean up camp and prepare for their departure. Lady Kay, the paranormal detective was running a bit late, but just in time for breakfast. Sir Thomas Leaf and young prince Cian relaxed in the hammock between the trees to the warmth of a morning campfire. Lady Etain whipped up a traditional Irish breakfast and the crew had hearty nutrition for the day upon them. Conversations and discussions consumed the morning dew as the sun began to shine overhead and checkout was upon them. They caravan-ed over to the Algonquin Trail for a hike to the river whereupon a quick dip awaited Sir Thomas Leaf. Sir Thomas Leaf, the explorer and botanist was fascinated by various plants along the path, stopping often for photographic moments of investigation. A boardwalk across a marshy swamp, then on to the creek where cool refreshing clear waters with a tinge of tannic acid welcomed the weary campers. Very invigorating and satisfying Sir Leaf thought. Introduction to dipping Prince Cian’s toes into the waters for his first river dip left Cian not knowing what his feet touched, but added to his insatiable and growing curiousity of his astrological sign: Water. Sir Leaf sat on the rock to commune with the river spirits, and meditate upon the upcoming journey. After meditation, he spied a long lost cicada crawling up to him surprisingly silent. Then he spied a water moccasin sunbathing on the rock down stream from him. As he approached for a closer photo moment, the moccasin dove into the water and slithered swam downstream. After chilling out at the waters, the explorers continued along the Algonquin Trail back to their vardos and back on the road. Farewells were had as they parted ways, and Sir Thomas Leaf, Lady Etain, and young prince Cian headed towards West Virginia.
The highways began to diminish in crowding as the delvers made their way to West Virginia. Pitstop at a Starbucks for chai, wifi, breastfeeding, and a diaper break slowed down the journey as life’s necessities took their needs. The Virgin Broadband to Go device that Sir Thomas Leaf ordered from Virgin and initiated in Columbia, still not working, nor connecting to the wifi cloud. Complaints to the company just led to them recommending getting a new device and sending back the old. Printing on his reliable Epson printer, he connected to Stamps.com and printed his postage, dropped the device in the mail, hoping his $90 would be refunded quickly. Then on to Best Buy, where they paid $100 for another mifi Virgin device, again unable to connect. The service appears to be unable to fulfill its claims.
The explorers made it into Amish territory, passing horse drawn carriages with cloaked Amish glaring at the mobile vardo as “typical English” and their modern complexities. Weaving up the hills to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia – the adventurers stopped at the local Dairy Queen for some ice cream and to call Lady Summer to meet them and guide them up into the winding hills to the Witt Plantation for merriment, fun, and conversation into the evening. Gathering together on the front porch, forest below lighted up with dancing fireflies, the friends had a reunion with new friends made, over cider and drink with a warm humid evening. Gatherings and advancements in psyche from deep topics, the adventurers and hosts were soon wiped out turning in for the evening quite late towards midnight.
Campground:
Prince William Forest Park, Occoquan, Virginia
