Virginia Beach - October 2016 - Days 4 & 5

October 2, 2016 (Sunday)

Cape Henry Lighthouse

We headed to Fort Story to check out the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. The lighthouse is on an active military base so you will have to get your vehicle searched, which is not nearly as bad as it sounds. It takes only a few minutes. There are actually two lighthouses, the oldest one was built in 1772. In 1878, it was found to be unsafe due to cracking on the walls and the wooden staircase being soaked in oil from the lantern.  The new Cape Henry Lighthouse was completed in 1881 and was built in cast iron – it is not open to the public. The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first federal constructed project under the Constitution. There is a fee for climbing the lighthouse – cost varies – with AAA it was $7. Once to the top you are rewarded with beautiful ocean views (it was quite warm up at the top).

While at Fort Story, we visited the Cape Henry Memorial, which is a part of the Colonial National Historical Park. Cape Henry first landed in America on April 26, 1607 and then on May 13, 1607 the Jamestown settlement was established. The site is comprised of a Memorial Cross. There is a nice boardwalk which provides lovely ocean views! We were able to view some dolphins and a submarine!

After a quick lunch, we headed out to the Virginia Beach boardwalk to check out more art booths and some music. It was a bit rainy, but we did not melt.

One of my sister’s friends lives in the Virginia Beach, so we were able to meet up with her and her family for dinner.  After dinner, they took us on a tour of some of the local military bases – so neat seeing the ships up close!

October 3, 2016 (Monday)

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

It was time to head back in the direction of home. We stopped to visit the George Washington Birthplace National Monument (no fee).   First stop was the visitor center where they had many displays and a video.  The site was established in the 17^th century by Englishman, John Washington (George Washington’s great-grandfather), as a colonial plantation. George Washington was born on the site on February 22, 1732. We took the guided tour, which got us into the house that is on-site. It should be noted that the home that is there is not at all related to George Washington.  The home that Washington was born in was destroyed in a fire in 1779. The grounds are very pretty.

Cannon at the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP

One last NPS site to visit on the way home - Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. There are four different battlefield sites to visit. We visited two of them. There was a video to watch at the visitor center and driving tours to take at the different sites. Not a lot to see, but interesting.

Continuing toward home, we stopped to eat at a place called Angus & Ale in Berkeley Springs, WV. It was okay just okay. There was not a lot of food options around that were open.

With one last night on the road and we stopped at the Holiday Inn Express in Cranberry Township, PA.  It was probably one of the worse Holiday Inn Expresses that we have ever stayed at.