... we headed out in Louis on Thursday morning, driving south through Delaware, Maryland, and into Virginia. Next, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel to Virginia Beach, where we stayed the night, spending some time that evening watching F/A-18s from the Eisenhower land at the nearby Oceana Naval Air Station.

On Friday, we drove west toward Asheville, North Carolina, stopping at the spectacular Chimney Rock in Lake Luna and climbing all 404 steps to the top. In Asheville we stayed in the 102 year Omni Grove Park Inn, with its spectacular Great Hall.

Saturday morning was cold and very windy. We bypassed the known closed portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway (they're rebuilding some of the classic tunnels near Asheville) and attempted to join it near the Mount Mitchell State Park. We traveled all of two miles north before running into another barrier—evidently, the winds were too high. So, back down the mountain and way off course; east on Interstate 40 and north on Interstate 77. After eating a filling lunch a few miles over the North Carolina/Virginia border in Fancy Gap, we were finally able to join the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were able to take it all the way to Roanoke (about 70 miles), where we stayed at historic Hotel Roanoke (since 1882).

This morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel and got back on the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking it northeast about 110 miles to Waynesboro. At that point, it was on the Interstates, heading home.

4 days, 1,451 miles, 24.5 mpg. Louis has now passed Grace on the mileage front—he currently sits at 45,405. Several pictures coming later this week.