Awake: 7:10am Temp 61 sleep 6+36 morning rain overnight @ close to Staunton, VA.
We drive the Suzuki (20) min to downtown Staunton & tour the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & the house he was born in. Interesting fellow; evidently loved by the people, he could have easily been elected for a 3rd term had his health been better.
Next, we take the free trolley ride (twice) around the city; seeing the town from both sides of the trolley. I have not seen so many beautiful Mansions (well kept) since visiting Carthage, Missouri in October, 2002. This city seems to have it all; a very clean & vibrant downtown, free bus transportation within the city, a Shakespearian playhouse, Frontier Culture Museum, Mary Baldwin College, at least (6) churches in the downtown area, etc, etc.
After our city tours, we share a corned beef wrap with fruit for lunch @ the Pampered Palate Café just around the corner from the Visitors Bureau & Trolley stop. Then we visit (2) stores of interest before taking a peek @ the newly renovated (by $21.1 million) Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center.
Next we walk to & attend the 5:00pm vigil Mass @ Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on North Augusta Street. Aside from being a beautiful church inside & out, of early English Gothic style, they share their limestone with greenstone from Chester County, Pennsylvania giving it a very special panache.
En route to the campground, we make a quick stop @ the local Martin’s store for some milk, yogurt, etc.
Dinner: leftover Tuna steak & popcorn later.
We watch “Modern Marvels” about the latest high tech changes now happening in Disneyland….. & a little more of “Elvis: That’s the way it is.”
Lights out: 11:58pm
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