Spring break: Heading north

After a couple of action-packed and family filled days in the Myrtle Beach area, our family van was pointed north today for a long day of driving and a little bit of touring too. We made an out-of-the-way side trip to Appomottox Courthouse, Virginia – the historic site where the Civil War ended in April 1865. Thankfully, my kids and wife share my oddball fascination for U.S. history – or at least, they play along for the old man’s sake. Actually! Our youngest son James, he of much noise and activity, surprises us all with his strong interest in the U.S. presidents, which leads to our latest stop for the evening. We are in Staunton, Virginia, where first thing tomorrow we will visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. Maybe it’s because we live in Hyde Park, home to the original presidential library and museum (FDR), but he really enjoys these places. After that, it’s off to some hiking in the hills of West Virginia, and then into Pittsburgh for the college visits portion of the trip. And in reference to the previous post? Yes. We had a late breakfast today at Waffle House, and the midday drive soundtrack featured a 3-plus hour Grateful Dead concert from 1973, as we weaved our way through North Carolina and Virginia. Meanwhile! Down in North Myrtle Beach, much of our team seems to be enjoying Spring Break despite a chillier than normal start to the week.