As I continued northeast out of Tennessee into Virginia, the landscape became even more mountainous and similar to Vermont. The highway passes entrances to Shenandoah State Park and also follows the Great Smoky Mountains. There is a byway of the same name that follows 81 north, but of course it is much slower.
Virginia looks a lot like Vermont with rolling green hills and little farms. I reached Charlottesville, the home of the University of Virginia, around 3pm. I had visited once when I was looking at colleges but that was a long time ago and I only remember the main campus plus a trip to Monticello. The interstate that takes you to Charlottesville, I-64, heads over a large mountain that has several scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and is very pretty. The weather was perfect, about 75, partly sunny and very comfortable.
I hadn't seen Smitha in person in about eight years so it was nice to catch up and hang out. We went to get an oil change for my car, since I didn't get one before I left, and then we ate crepes and sat outside enjoying the weather at a pedestrian mall that reminded me of Church Street. We met up with some of her friends from law school and chatted for a while and then she and I had dinner at a French place called Bizou. I have been craving vegetables and fresh food as I have had a lot of protein and heavy sauces the past few days! Bizou did not disappoint with a beet salad, blue cheese and walnut salad, tuna ceviche and shrimp and grits. To finish it off we had apple fritters.
I received a late message from my friend Grant who is staying with his family in Frederick, MD right now, so I will drive up there and have lunch with him. It's not out of the way so I might as well see him since he and I won't be able to meet up while he is in Africa this summer.
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How was the traffic going through the mountains in VA? What was the speed limit? Where did you change your oil (a Jiffy Lube type place or a VW dealer)? Is Smitha liking UVA Law School? Where is she from?
ReplyDeleteThe timing of Grant's message couldn't have been better. Was he stimulated to send that message after noticing your travel blog?
Charlotteville's a pleasant town. I'm sure it must have been very relaxing to sit outside, soak in the nice weather, catch up with a friend and eat some healthy but tasty food. You stayed with Smitha, right? Does she live in an apartment or a dorm? Single or with others?
How far will it be from Charlottesville to Frederick? You won't be able to linger long in MD.
Love, Dad