Thursday and Friday

*WARNING: food discussed.

Thursday night we started pulling things together to pack. We weren't in any great hurry because it wasnt as though we had to leave early. I figure we got about half of the stuff we needed set aside and a list made of all the stuff we'd require for our weekend away. On Friday morning, we got up around 8-830am. While hubby took the dog to the "spa" (for those just joining us in this Blogspot, "spa" is my code for boarding the dog at the vet's), I got things packed up. I cant believe how much crap we take along everytime. One of these days I really need to streamline our travelling somewhat. Two people shouldnt need a full-sized suitcase, garment bag AND a full tote for just a couple nights away.

Once we got packed, we popped over across the street to IHOP (International house of Pancakes) for breakfast. The waitress came over to take our drink order and to let us know what the specials were. I asked her "What do you NOT have today?" *laffz* She gave me a puzzled look and began to laugh when I explained that we go to IHOP once a month or so and the last 2 trips they didnt have the one special I was interested in trying for that month. I then told her that I'd told hubby with the fact they had 2 I wanted to try that it'd be my luck that they'd have neither. Once she and I got ourselves composed, she told me they had both. On the off chance that they'd "run out" before she got the order in ...I gave her 3 different orders in the order of preference. *laffz* We were told that Sundays were bad and Sunday afternoon worst because they always were out of nearly everything, especially the specials. *makes note to not go on a Sunday afternoon* I did manage to get my first choice of meal, so I was a happy camper when we left.


As per usual, I fell asleep for about an hour or so while hubby was driving. I dont recall seeing us approach DC or see any signs saying we were leaving the area. Shoot, I dont even remember seeing any signs saying we were leaving Manassas. All I know is we were past DC and headed towards Baltimore when I woke up. We got to the first of the about 3 or so toll boothes that we were going to encounter when I noticed some paraphernalia in the road. As we got closer, I realized that someone had just had a very very bad day. There was a suitcase in the road (which was still closed thank goodness) and a tote bag (that big black object closest to our truck) which had unfortunately opened spilling most, if not all of its contents. Thank goodness the contents were nothing much more than disposable diapers and were easily (I hope) replaceable. The big green sign says the toll booth is 1000 feet away from that point and you can see the bag's several feet before that. This poor guy came jogging up the road to attempt to collect his stuff. By the time we'd gotten past the toll booth, the diapers had been knocked and strewn several hundred feet PAST the toll area. Definitely a bad day for that poor guy. Only major complaint the entire trip in is the stupid construction. Thank goodness I usually sleep through most of it.



The hotel was absolutely beautiful. I could definitely get used to 4 and 5 star hotels very easily.
What we got was more what I had anticipated when we moved to Virginia in January. Actually, it's a bit more than what I expected as back then I had been thinking we'd get no more than a Motel6 extend stay room. This hotel suite had a bedroom, bathroom, small galley kitchen and a livingroom with sofa, chair and desk. There were 2 tvs (on in the bedroom and one with a game system hooked to it in the livingroom) and a table that separated the livingroom and kitchen areas. I could have easily stayed a week in this room without getting that antsy cooped up feeling. Actually, now that I think of it.....this suite was larger than my first apartment! In the suite, there was a ceiling fan in the bedroom and 2 small AC units...one in each main room. The kitchen had a stove with 2 burners, sink, fridge and even a dishwasher. Every morning between 6 and 9am they served breakfast. I dont mean a cheesy donuts and coffee "Continental" breakfast....I mean a small buffet with plenty to eat. There were cereals, eggs, waffles, breakfast meats, juices, fruits etc etc etc. MMMmmm yummy. The only complaint I have is that we had some rowdy people on our floor and every so often it felt like a damn earthquake.