Lunch with a View

Virginia is so picturesque you could literally pull off the road and picnic with a gorgeous view anywhere you see a tree. But with no berm to speak of, trees growing practically to the edge of Route 64, and branches over hanging, the roads appear so skinny as to feel claustrophobic. A fat horse might feel claustrophobic.

On our way to Newport News, The Tourist and Visitors and Information Office seems like a good place to stop. Perusing two impressive walls of brochures we stand at the counter before elderly women.
“Is there a park nearby where we can have a picnic lunch?” we ask.
“Are you kidding?” one lady answers. “We’re sitting on 8,000 acres of park."
Who knew? She pulled out a tear-off pad of maps and gave us one. She directed us—if we were fond of water views—to the beautiful picnic area 2.
Lodge pole pines towered above us. In this lovely wooded location I noticed Holly trees, Magnolias and Maples. Beyond them lay a spectacular view of the reservoir. We chose an unoccupied shelter house and laid out our table cloth, printed with ants included. The quiet all but obscured the faint hum of traffic, a sound easily lost as wind in the trees. We looked out over the water nibbling cheese & crackers, ranch-dipped carrots and  sandwiches packed just that morning.

My family took day trips to other counties. One we spent tromping around the woods of Mohican State park lost because of my mother’s navigational “skills”.
Ever the adventurer, my dad seemed to have a map of our home state on the back of his hand. He was never lost. But then, he traveled the world while in the Navy. If there was one thing my dad always knew, it was the way home.

I know a guy that thinks getting 'lost' is the beginning of a great adventure.

Lately, I dream a lot about that.