favorite camping trip within driving distance of d.c.

when i was in 2nd grade, i was quite obsessive about the "misty of chincoteague" books--wild ponies living on an island, getting penned and sold once a year--it was quite romantic for a 2nd grader. when tim and i were living in dc and looking for a weekend camping trip, we we found assateauge island national seashore in maryland (directly north of chincoteague). the island is free of any summer homes, and only offers campsites (on the bay side of the island as well as on the ocean side). for future reference, i'd recommend the ocean side if you can reserve it early enough...for the bugs.

the island is teaming with "wild" ponies who walk along the beach by day, and rummage through campsites looking for food at night. it's a very unique spot, and i loved camping there--during our time living in d.c., we managed to get there three times. spent the days hanging out on the beach (with tons of sunscreen of course), grilled at night, had bonfires right on the beach...it doesn't get much better than that.

http://www.nps.gov/asis/

our first campsite on assateague, on the bay side...buggy!

a perfect day...

it's been quite a spring and summer. as the leaves are starting to change colors and it is becoming necessary to wear a heavier coat, even during the day, i've been thinking about how my summer began this year. i had been on crutches for a very snowy january and febuary, and at the beginning of march, i finally got the orders from my wonderful doctor that i was good to get walking! what a relief!

before the grass even turned fully green, some good friends planned a trip to the wineries and vineyards in northern virginia--just an hour or so from dc. we had a wonderful day sipping good wine and celebrating the beginning of spring (very early in the year, i might add). we didn't do the normal "wine tour," but chose one nice spot and spent a few hours there chatting away. it was absolutely perfect.

here's my favorite shot from the day. i still can't think of a better way to spend a saturday.

some of my favorite northern virginia wineries:

http://www.barreloak.com/ -barrel oak winery

http://www.piedmontwines.com/ -piedmont*

http://www.threefoxvineyards.com/ - three fox

and speaking of boats...



i thought i'd share these photos of my former office on the potomac river. before this job, i could have never imagined walking across a dock everyday to get to my desk. it was just such a unique work place that it is worth sharing. just looking at these photos brings that wonderful seasick feeling right back to me!

the kitchen--or should i say galley-- and workspace..

my old desk- on the upper deck of the boat...

the view that i used to see every day---helicopters and all!