A West Virginian and Restonian Fourth of July

July 5th, 2012 No Comments

We decided to have what Mike calls a Random Day yesterday. He says some of the best ideas originate from unexpected experiences. We took a lot of random road trips when we lived in Colorado, back before we had a baby and we could just drive into the mountains with no agenda. I love those memories.

We ended up spending our Fourth of July in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and then back home at our neighborhood in Reston.

We spent the morning with my family, and then had the rest of the holiday unplanned. Mike and I decided to pack Danny in the car and head west. We had no particular destination, but subconsciously I was navigating us toward mountains. I was hoping for a location that was not quite a thousand degrees out.

A couple hours later, we found ourselves in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. It was still 98 degrees out, so my mission failed. I guess West Virginians are melting in the same heat wave as ours. Danny didn’t mind, though. He toddled excitedly all over that park.

After a walk around town, some shopping, and an ice cream break, we headed back home. Danny was great in the car all day. He read books and looked out the window, and didn’t complain. I was seriously impressed. Maybe there are more road trips in our future.

When we got back here to Lake Anne, we got in our boat and drifted around to see all the holiday action.

People were setting off fireworks all around the lake. There was something interesting to look at everywhere we went.

Danny loved his first fireworks. He was fascinated and not frightened.

As we passed Lake Anne Plaza, we saw our friend Charlie and his daughter, Viv. We picked them up and took them out in the boat with us to see the fireworks.