Way behind...

Okay, I know I'm way behind. I'm trying not to just give up and instead start fresh in 2017; but last year was full of activities and I want to make sure I get the fun stuff on the record.
Shortly after we returned from our cruise....we turned around and headed up to DC for a long weekend. A friend of Megan's was getting married. Megan didn't think she'd be able to attend...but as luck would have it she found a good price on a ticket and decided to make the trip after all. When we found out she was going to be in DC, we made plans to see her while she was in town. The bride was kind enough to include us on her guest list, so we made plans to join Megan at the wedding celebration.
Our "Fall Foliage" cruise was great, but as far as "fall" foliage is concerned, sightings were few and far between . A trip to northern Virginia in late October was a perfect way to get my "fix" for the year.

We stayed out in "wine country". I loved being out in the farm friendly part of northern Virginia. It always amazes me that you can be so close to a city like DC...but in farm country...I love the contrast.

We stayed with some good friends and it was so peaceful and relaxing. We enjoyed walking each day on the W & OD Trail. It was a short drive to one of the entry ways. Then you could go North or South (or maybe it was East or West???hahaha) Whatever it was, it was a quiet, mostly peaceful walk. A few bikers, runners, etc along the way. Cool enough to be comfortable...certainly not cold, just perfect walking weather after a hot Florida summer!

Another day we drove up to an entry point for the Appalachian Trial. We certainly had no plans to go very far...but ever since we saw "A Walk in the Woods" John had wanted to at least get on the trail at some point. (while up in NC and GA we have seen signs...just never close enough to where we were staying to check it out). We took Megan and the three of us went for a short walk/hike not really .

                  One of my favorite places to visit in  the Leesburg area is Mom's Apple Pie

On our way to the trail entrance...we spotted the pie store! Naturally we I had to stop and get something. They no longer have the bags of crust pieces for sale....that used to be my favorite thing! No problem.....we just got a pie instead. hahaha
The day of the wedding...the weather was iffy. There were storms moving through the area. The bride really wanted to get married outside...but there was a back-up plan in case of rain. When we arrived to the vineyard where the wedding was taking place, it was drizzling. The DJ and coordinator were moving things in. Then the rain stopped...so they moved it back out. At that point there was a BEAUTIFUL big bright rainbow. Not like the kind you see all the time...the colors on this one were so intense.

                                               We all figured that it was a good sign...   :)

After  going back and forth a few times on whether or not to move things in or out...we were told that the bride "really, really" wanted to get married outside and they were going to go for it. We all got towels to wipe off our chairs and then as the wind was blowing through the trees...the wedding ceremony got started.

It was a little a lot windy...but the rain held off and everyone was happy and it was a pretty venue...out near the vineyards.

The reception was a lot of fun. There's no pressure when you really don't know anyone...hahaha. We had met the bride's parents before, but other than that the only other people we knew were Megan...and the bride Catherine. We enjoyed meeting the couple's friends at our table.  Some of the groom's fraternity brothers were there and both the bride and groom are involved in curling...so it was interesting.

The crowd was fun. While the couple was getting pictures taken they had a cocktail hour. Then, right after the bride and groom came in the DJ introduced the couple and the wedding party. Next they had the first dance and asked everyone to get up and dance. The DJ told us..."Get up and dance...or you won't get your dinner"...since they were putting the food out as we were on the dance floor. It was a great way to get everyone immediately into the spirit of things...and it worked. Everyone was dancing and there was no sitting around wondering what to do next. I liked it.

There was lots of singing along! hahah The Dj and his son were interesting. They played recorded music, but had a guitar and drums so they could play and sing along....and it sounds cheesy...but they kept the crowd going...and it wasn't bad. We danced all night until it was time for the sparkler send-off!

Luckily we had Megan to keep us on track...since I never noticed that the wedding was on Friday...not Saturday. We had arrived on Thursday....and I'm sure at the time we booked our trip we  did that because we wanted to get there the day before the wedding...but between booking the flight and getting to town...I completely forgot that the celebration was on Friday. haha That was nice...because we had Saturday to visit and do some running around. We took another walk....this time we went in the opposite direction.

where we saw old barn like buildings and then some new homes that looked like barns....

not too shabby

                                                   and we saw some wildlife. (zoomed in for the picture)
We had a great visit with Megan, we enjoyed the cooler weather and the foliage, and really enjoyed visiting with our friends. All in all a good trip.
Megan got safely off the next day with a suitcase full of early gifts and treats she can't find in Dubai. Also  A special delivery cake from Emily and Chex mix made by Christine. They sure made her feel special. She was ready to get back to Marcus and Rupert....but it was a little hard to say goodbye.
We headed home to Florida and settled in to our normal routine. We had two more weddings coming up in just a few weeks...more on those...next time.