Cheatham Annex - Williamsburg, VA Northeastern SMART Muster

June 10th - Wednesday - Hot and humid 91 degrees

We arrived at this Naval base on Monday and did we ever have a difficult time finding it.  For some reason we could not get the address into our GPS and then we found the signs leading to the campground small and hard to read; however, once we arrived at the FamCamp and saw a familiar face, all of that was forgotten.  We had made our reservations last January and thought we were scheduled to be across from our friends, but found we were on the other end, never the less, as you can see we have a lovely site and finally a site that is on concrete and we will not be tracing in sand.

I am spoiled, I like staying in FamCamps, as they have security and lots of lighting, so when I go out to walk Maci at night, I don't have to worry, we just go for a hike and we are close to the woods and I love it.  The first night we were here, I talked Lou into going for a walk and we ended up taking a blazed path in the woods after dinner and I thoroughly enjoyed it, no bugs, light breeze.  We found out later that it was a five mile walk, but we did get a ride back home once we came out on the main road, after we did the five miles!!  Or it would have been dark by the time we reached our RV, thanks goodness for our friends that had been out to dinner.

We have about 20 rigs in attendance and have met many different people and renewed acquaintances from other Musters.  It has been very hot, high 80's and low 90's with a breeze until today and we don't have a breeze today.

Sign in front of Museum

Yesterday Lou and I took another retired Army couple with us and we drove to Fort Eustis,VA and toured the United States Army Transportation Museum.  We all found it very interesting, as it was established in 1970 and takes the visitor through history from 1700 with the Conestoga wagon and ships that served in the Revolutionary War to the Iraqi Freedom.  All of us saw things that brought the building of our country home to us.  It was interesting to go with Bernie, as he was in the Army through the Korean War and Vietnam War and had many things on a personal level to share with us.
There was a display regarding the Red Ball Highway and I found that interesting, as my deceased husband patrolled the highway while it was in existence.

Betty, Bernie and Lou at the entrance of the Museum.

1941 Plymouth (I think)

The Conestoga Wagon, originally built in Pennsylvania.

Trucks used during World War II along the Red Ball Highway.

Sign along the Red Ball Highway.

Motorcycle like Lou had.

Helicopter used in Korean War. 

Trucks in Vietnam.

Experimental aircraft!! 

Gun Truck - The only one to return from Vietnam. " Eve of Destruction"

Desert Storm

Rail Pavilion

More in the Rail Pavilion.

Another reason Lou and I found this museum interesting, is Lou's grandson was at Ft. Eustis for training at one time, and is now a captain in the Army in Logistics and it give me a little better idea of what his title includes.

We spent about four hours there and enjoyed all of it and would recommend it to anyone.   We saw several children as we went through it and they seemed to be enjoyed their tour also.

Last evening Lou and I suggested we eat at Captain George's in Williamsburg, and Dick Tracy said that he would drive, so six of us dined at the seafood buffet and enjoyed our meal and came away with very full tummies.  Lou and I had eaten there when we last visited Willaimsburg and remembered the luscious meal we had.  Tonight we all get together and have a pot luck meal, then pack up in the morning and depart for home.

On the Road Again --- Dover AFB,DE - Little Creek, VA

June 7th - Sunday - Sunny 75 degrees

After a very busy week at home, taking care of three septic tanks and having lines dug up at Lou's homestead between rain storms, we were off to do some traveling.  We left for Dover Air Force Base on Thursday, as we wanted to go through the Air Mobility Command Museum there.  We tried to make a reservation to stay with our RV there, but after reading the many comments made from fellow RV'er we decided that we would try someplace else and ended up staying at Killens Pond State Park and that was a good experience, although I missed the security and lighting of a Base when I took Maci out at night.

Some of the planes we could see from the observation tower

On Friday we toured the Museum, it was rainy off and on and really chilly, so we didn't spend a huge amount of time outside.  We did have a volunteer that took a "shine" to us and gave us a special tour by taking us up into the observation tower and that was special to be able to see all around the base.  We got to see the C-124 plane, that Lou flew on during his career in the Air Force.  It always amazes me just how huge that plane is and I was able to secure post cards to send to the grandkids so they can see it in flight.  In the picture I have posted, Lou is standing in front of the plane.

This tells about the plane.

The Museum reminded me of the Marines museum; however, this one pertained what Dover AFB had to do with each of the war efforts, so it was on a much smaller basis.  All of it is housed in a World War II hanger.  One point of interest was a flight simulator.

As we were coming into Dover, Delaware on Thursday night at 5:00, we stopped to get gasoline, when I heard sirens and then motor cycles with police on them to stop traffic.  It was for the procession of the  Vice President's son Beau Biden's body.  It was a very long procession that consisted of at least ten motor cycles with police in front of the SUVs, limousines, hearse, more SUVs , ambulance and a fire truck.

You can see some of the black vehicles on the street.

The next day we left for Cape Charles.  I actually don't remember a lot of the day, as I  picked up a 24 hour bug and was really sick and slept the day away.  Lou was able to park our RV at Jeanine's house so Maci and I could be comfortable while he attended the wedding of Scott Wivell and his new wife, Rachel Taylor which was held at Mimosa Farm.  Lou rode with his sister, Lenore and her son, John and was able to chat with them and get caught up on some family news.  I had looked forward to this wedding since last January when we received the invitation and Lou forgot to pick up his camera to take with him, so he tried to describe it to me the best he could.

When he and Lenore returned I felt a little better and we chatted a little before we left for Little Creek

Naval Base in Norfolk, VA.  Thankfully, we had made reservations here and our spot was waiting for us and our camp host helped Lou get backed into our spot and set up.

We came through the tunnel under the Chesapeake Bay which is always interesting and amazing and the Bay was beautiful.  The rain had finally moved out

Isn't it pretty?

Last night while we were reading we had a knock at the door and when I opened the door there stood Spencer and Meredith.  Her parents live close to here and we knew Spencer was flying down from Ft. Drum for the weekend, but certainly didn't expect him to appear at the door.  They had great news, they had become engaged that morning on the beach.  They were both beaming!  We are so happy for both of them and wish them many years of happiness.

Today we visited Douglas MacArthur's Museum and Memorial in Norfolk.  We watched the movie of his military life before we took the self guided tour and we found it all very interesting.  I did not know that his father had been a military man also.

The entrance.

In the Memorial the General and his wife are buried there.  Jean, his wife did not die until 2000, she lived to be 102.  On display in the Museum was his jeep along with his car.

He chose a Chrysler over a Cadillac. 

His uniform and a few of his medals!!

Willis Jeep

After we finished at the museum we came back to the base and went over to look at some of the large ships, they just amaze me.

One that happens to be in for repairs.

Tomorrow we leave here and drive to Williamsburg,VA for a North Eastern SMART Muster that will last three days, and if we have internet I will try and post from there.