Well, I'm back. Went to Virginia Beach for a few days right after Thanksgiving, and spent some time with a good buddy of mine, who also happens to be a Raritan Distributor. Went to the Christmas Tree lighting in Va. Beach, took the ferry in Portsmouth and wandered around the waterfront a bit - was cold and windy, so didn't do a whole lot there. Portsmouth (or Norfolk - who knows for sure?) also has a park that is all duded-up with Christmas lights, and you drive through in your car after dark - quite impressive, and the fee is just a few bucks per person. I was told that it takes a whole month to set up all the lights. It opens to the public at dark on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Came back, and took a day trip to New Hope, PA and the Delaware Water Gap. In the town of Delaware Water Gap, there is store that makes and sells homemade pies, so we stopped in for some Shoo-fly. Then did some work on the outside of my house on one day, and yesterday 'bout froze to death putting up Christmas lights on the house. All in all, it was a too-short period of time off. Vacation always seems to be the shortest week of the year!
Sorry, didn't take any pictures - forgot the camera at home.
For those of you who use the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel complex from time to time, about 30 miles north of the entrance (or exit, depending on which way you're going) is the sleepy little town of Exmore, VA. In the town of Exmore, is the world-reknowned Exmore Diner. It is an old 40's style dining car that can maybe seat 35 people max. It seems to be the hub of the town, and the gathering place for EVERYBODY in the area. There's a rumor going around that Elvis once ate there. This time, we arrived about 11:30 AM on Sunday, just as church was letting out. We had about a 40 minute wait to get a booth. There are only about 6 or 7 booths, and the counter can seat about a dozen people - 15 or 16 at the very most. But the wait wasn't a real bother, because we chatted with several others who were also waiting, and everybody was pleasant and cordial.
Anyway, if you're ever in the proximity of Exmore, VA, and are hungry - stop in. It's like taking a trip back in time. Food's plain but good, pricing is cheap, staff is friendly, and there's an old black lab out in the parking lot begging leftovers from your plate. He belongs to a garage next door, but seems to always hang around in the parking lot, looking for a handout. So if you should stop in, and you see the dog outside, be sure to save something for him (or her) when you leave. A handful of leftover French Fries or some scraps from your plate are always a welcome treat.
