Northern Virginia: Our Former Home

Robin, Alejandro, and Samuel at Skyline Ranch Resort

After saying goodbye to Andrea and Holden, we traveled on to Front Royal, VA. We have had a membership at Skyline Ranch Resort near the Shenandoah River for 28 years. It’s always good to see old friends at the ranch, and the campground is convenient for getting back to Northern Virginia where we lived for 30 years prior to 2008. Our daughter, Robin, husband, Alejandro, and son, Samuel, live in Fairfax about 60 miles away. We enjoyed several meals at their home, and they spent Labor Day weekend and another Saturday with us in the ranch. Samuel loves the pool, and he and his parents also played miniature golf and shot lots of games of pool. Samuel looks so handsome with his braces removed.

Joanie, Bob, Gloria, & Jerry

Larry & Jerry

Bob, Gloria, and Carol

Catherine & Gloria

We also attended church at Columbia Baptist twice. We once were quite active in that church and still have many friends there. Our social events included dinner at the homes of Bobby and Jo Ann and former neighbors, Carol and Bob. One day we drove to Madison for lunch in the home of Larry and Catherine, old RV and church friends. On our last Sunday we took Joanie, one of our favorite poets, and her son, Bob, to lunch after worship. Joanie always remembers our birthdays and anniversary with one of her spiritual poems.

Millie at the Bridge Table

One of our pleasurable activities when we return to Northern Virginia is to visit Handley and Millie, who were special friends in our Airstream club. They live at the Greensprings Retirement Center. Even though they are in their nineties, they are both alert and still play a good game of Bridge. Lunch with them in their colorful dining room was a special treat.

Handley: Former Region 3
Airstream President

Gloria at the Classy Strasburg Hotel

Another important event during our stay at the ranch was the celebration of our 55^th wedding anniversary. Jerry had planned a day of special events for September 7, but Gloria was feeling puny. Hence, we settled for a wonderful lunch at the historic Strasburg Hotel located not far from the campground. The quaint old building once served as a hospital (1907-1915) for that small agricultural community. The picturesque town, located in the fertile Shenandoah Valley, dates back to 1761 when it was settled by German speaking Pennsylvanians.

Strasburg Hotel: Once a Hospital With Attached Nurses Quarters

Gloria also had time to get her hair done by her all-time favorite beautician, Vicki. After nearly three weeks at Skyline Ranch it was time to drive on to Tennessee.