Friends - 2

 Harpers Ferry has been a frequent stop on our travels when we moved north and/or south on the east coast.      The National Historical Park is interesting ("John Brown's body lies a moldering in his grave"), as is the confluence of the mighty rivers - Potomac and Shenandoah.    There are numerous historic sights and beautiful old small towns.     We've explored and experienced this area numerous times, but this visit was purely to enjoy a Familiar Favorite, an old Friend (s) and good Food.     The drive up from North Carolina was pretty, albeit smoky - not something we've ever experienced here.

is that Beluga passing us?

We settled in at the Harper's Ferry KOA, a place we've stayed at many times before.    This time we had a newly created spot in the woods, just above a civil war trench in the woods.

The sites were pretty and private, but......so uneven.    We found ourselves staggering about in the dark when we got up in the middle of the night to........well, you know.    Our ankles were scraped by the door slamming closed when we let it go and I fully expected to find Dave upside down in the bedroom closet when I got up in the morning.......   We were only there for two nights and the body does acclimate eventually, so it was all fine in the end.

We met my old friend Mary and her cool husband Dave at Alma Bea in nearby, historic Shepherdstown.  Mary and I have been friends since we were in our early teens, we lived through the back field from each other and both rode rangy, grade Palomino horses - four blond pony tails among us.....

She was in my wedding, I was in hers.....

Back to the present - we had a lovely meal at Alma Bea, an old railroad warehouse beautifully redone to house a modern restaurant specializing in "Appalachian flavors, tapas style"....Intriguing!

one of Dave's choices - deviled eggs!

Mary chose Mussels

The next day Dave and I stayed inside, it was so very smoky outside we could barely see the next site.    I concentrated on laundry, bills and a blog to pass the day before meeting Dave and Mary, again in beautiful Shepherdstown, at one of  our favorite restaurants - the Press Room.

More wonderful food and conversation.    Is this becoming a pattern?

Dave (my Dave) loved his Seafood Stew

After another 3 hour meal we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.    Dave and I walked around the little town before heading home.    As we walked in front of the old courthouse we heard someone playing a familiar tune on a harmonica, Camp Town Races I think....and then a few doors down we saw a man sitting on a bench playing accompaniment on an accordion!   

oh Dave

The Potomac River runs along behind the historic district and you know we had to make our way down to it!

little streams cascading down to the river

what do you suppose this was?

We left Harpers Ferry this morning and drove the very familiar route 15 north beside the picturesque Susquehanna River to this night's stop at Ives Run COE campground in Tioga, Pennsylvania.     The smoke abated somewhat, but was joined by drizzle and rain to make for a gloomy day.

We thought we were all settled into a nice, grassy and private site at the COE park in Tioga, but the high voltage electric kept tripping our surge protector.   Not a situation we can live with.    We prevailed upon the Ranger to find us another spot.   

large Tulip Poplar tree behind our site

 Pack things back up, unhook, drive around the loop to site # 8, (good electric service) hook up again, slides out, etc. etc., wine served and enjoyed, supper eaten and we're now happy for the night.    Tomorrow we'll drive the 90 or so miles into New York and  our old driveway at the lake!    See you there.

a gloved Tulip thief at my door.....