60 miles via VA 234, I-95 and MD 212. Cumulative tow miles: 1519. Truck miles: 245. Cumulative truck miles: 2330. The extra truck miles were accumulated due to numerous family events near Dumfries, a trip to get an oil change and one sightseeing trip to Manassas VA.
This was the first major departure from the TN7 plan. I wasn’t planning to stop in College Park at all and the only reason I did is that my chosen campground at my intended destination for this hop – Woodbine MD – did not have a site available for tonight. This is what happens when one waits to book, thinking that a truck problem is likely going to mess up the plan and I didn’t want to alter more bookings than necessary. The good news is that there have been NO truck problems (knock on wood); the bad news is what has happened here – campgrounds get filled when I don’t book early.
I still have one intended stop that I have not been able to book, so it is likely that there will be another change to the itinerary.
This hop was so short that I thought I might need to kill some time before arrival. So I pulled into the parking lot at the High Point High School (it was Saturday so the lot was empty) and called my sister. We had a nice chat that did, indeed, kill 30 minutes.
My home in Dumfries was the Prince William Forest RV Campground. I have stayed here at least three times before. It is a basic campground and only has a few full-hookup sites that can accommodate my 42-foot rig but I did book this one early so I was able to snag one.
As usual, there was a lot of dining out on this trip, but the meals were forgetable. And that is being kind. I have to wonder if chefs have forgotten how to cook due to the pandemic.
I visited Jett’s kids at a very busy time – the twins are selling the house that they have owned for 17 years and are separating, moving into two separate houses with two separate loved ones. Big moves, for sure. I was able to attend the walk-through for one of the houses but the other is under construction.
I also made a trip to Manassas with the dual purpose of filling one of my propane tanks and taking a second look at the Manassas battlefield. I struck out completely on the propane (the pump was broken) and was only partially successful at seeing the battlefield (the day was windy and very cool).
My first trip to Manassas, in 2015, was limited to the first Battle of Manassas (or, if you prefer, Bull Run) in 1861. That battle was relatively small, on a very compact battlefield which can be viewed on foot. This time I wanted to see the site of the second battle, in 1862. This battle was on a much larger battlefield. There is an 18-mile driving tour of the battlefield. I started this tour, did the first 2 stops, and discovered that there is a LOT of walking required. The day was very windy – 50 mph gusts – and chilly. Very unpleasant. I gave up.
I made a feeble attempt to get the truck’s cracked windshield fixed. I filed a claim and tried to contact a glass company. But I realized the the damage, which was originally just a star-shaped chip that could easily be patched, had grown into a full-fledged crack too large to repair. I will have to replace the entire windshield. I decided to wait until I land in Massachusetts.
