MBC Reunion

Last weekend my college roommate and friend Katie and I drove down from Baltimore to Staunton, Virginia for our 10 year college reunion. We had a great time catching up on the road trip and hangin out with our friends, which we call "the nucleus." Some of the nucleus couldn't be with us, and we missed them, but Ubah, Stephanie and Matt were there. So we drove down on Saturday morning, left Baltimore around 7:15am. Got to Staunton in time for the class meeting where we discussed class leadership responsibilities and elected new members. We then went to lunch in the dining hall, which was just plain weird. It was strange to be back. With the few changes they have made in 10 years, its was like we'd never left. We had a nice lunch catching up and laughing histerically over "Unlacing Lilly" a title of one of Ubah's favorite novels. :-) (Ub, I had too!) After lunch, Ubah, Stephanie and Matt headed to the Greenvalley Book Fair (http://www.gvbookfair.com/), and Katie and I headed to Queen City Brewing Company for a tour. The brewery is small, but has some nice beer - ales, IPA's and lagers. The best part though was the bluegrass band The Hound Dog Hill Boys (http://www.myspace.com/hounddoghill). They are great! Check out their music. I just listened to their song titled "Baltimore Fire!"
Katie and I headed back to Staunton to do a little walking around and shopping. It was so nice to see Staunton have so much development - cute little shops which stationary, unique jewelry shops and an awesome toys store called Pufferbellies. They also have so many coffee shops! Where were these when we went to school here???? It is wonderful though, and I am happy that it seems to be thriving. It would be a great place to stop and stretch your legs if you are driving that way. http://www.visitstaunton.com/attractions/attractions.htm
Katie and I then headed back to the hotel to check in, take a nap, and get ready for dinner. Dinner was at a restaurant, but I am not going to advertise it here. It was horrible. $50 for a tough as nails, can't-saw-through-it-with-a-steak-knife meal. And that was just the beginning. Try a plastic wrap covered piece of cake for $50!

After dinner and a sad attempt at mingling (which nobody really did), the nucleus went to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel lounge to chill. http://www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com/ Now, this is not the same hotel that was here when we lived in Staunton, that's for sure. It was really nice with updated decor and a classy style. Anyway, after walking through the reception for VWIL, we got to the lounge and had a great time laughing, chatting, and unwinding from the reunion.

The next morning Katie and I headed back to MBC. I wanted to go to the chapel service at Miller Chapel and Katie walked around Staunton, took in some coffee and met up with her music professor Bob Allen. After the service, Ubah and I went with Pat Hunt, the chaplain at MBC, to get some coffee and talk. I think besides seeing the nucleus, seeing Pat and catching up was the best part of the weekend.

After some time for reflection and a crazy, hectic week, I am reminded how blessed I am for having such wonderful friends. Yes, Mary Baldwin is a small women's college nestled in the Shennandoah Valley. When we were there, there wasn't much to do outside of school and our friends. And as I look back, I am so grateful to have made the life-long friends I did there. They are my family, and I can't express how much they mean to me. So for that, I am eternally grateful to my alma mater.

Katie and I headed home and had a beautiful sunny drive back to D.C. I love that drive along I-81 through the valley with mountains on both sides and green pastures with the sun hitting them "just so." It was very peaceful. I dropped Katie off at her apartment and then this is where the interesting part begins. Then, I get stuck in Cherry Blossom Festival traffic. No kidding. It takes me about 3 more hours to get to Baltimore. I was stopped so often that I had a chance to take some really nice pictures out my car window. Here is a visual of what my trip looked like!

Can you see all the kites flying! It is by the Washington Monument.

From my car window. They really are beautifu!

From the George Washington Parkway which was stopped. The light was hitting the monument perfectly!

Georgetown, from the Key bridge. Once I got on Canal Rd. traffic was moving. FINALLY!!!