Just got back!

DH and I got back not too long ago from another trip to a warm weather island.
Can you guess which one?

• It has a "sister" island that we've visited in the past
• We have never visited this island before

• Has a population of only 40,000 people

• It's in the Leeward Islands

• It's 36 square miles

Here are some pictures with more details to come!  

Can you guess which island we just visited?

Fun and frolic at Butler's Orchard

If you're in the DC area and interested in a fall activity then stop by Butler's Orchard at the edge of Montgomery County. Each year, Butler's puts on a fall festival that's guaranteed to tire out your kids and put some good food in  your belly.  From the hot cider to the cider donuts and the fabulous baked pies, plus the animals and the pumpkin chunkin' and it's a great festival for young and old.

Some scenes from our last visit

Fabulous Fall Fun at Cox Farms

If you're interested in a fall activity then I can recommend Cox Farms in Centerville, Virginia. Cox Farms is larger than most and offers hayrides, a rope swing, animal petting, a maze, great food and more.

Loved this sign!

On the Bucket list ... Dia de los Muertos

One of the trips on my Bucket List is to visit somewhere that has a huge el Dia de los Muertos celebration.  Usually celebrated from the end of October until around November 2, this festival is popular in Mexican communities in the United States, and of course in Mexico.  To learn more about el dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) you can visit About.com

Until I see a celebration in person I can enjoy pictures like these.  If you're fortunate to live in a city that celebrates Day of the Dead I'd love to hear about it.  And if you go, enjoy!

 

Quick Day Trips from DC - Wilmington & Western Railroad Train (Delaware)

Fall is one of those seasons that I truly love since it's not too cold and not too hot.  Our day trip on the Wilmington & Western Railroad train took us to the town of Hockessin in Delaware.  To learn more about the railroad and the special train trips that are available please visit this link:Wilmington & Western Railroad

A train trip to Hockessin is perfect if you like to see the fall colors, are a train/railroad enthusiast or if you're simply looking for something to do on a slightly overcast fall day as we were.  No trip is complete without stopping by the Wilmington & Western Railroad Museum and gift shop or shopping in the little gift shops that dot the Hockessin train depot.  All aboard!

Waterford Fair

Just a reminder that the Waterford Fair will be taking place next weekend (October 4-6).  You can read my prior post about the fair at this link: Itchy Feet Waterford Fair Blog Post

DH and I will be heading down again.  If you go to the fair, have a fabulous time in the country!

Happy travels!

Here are some more pictures from our last Waterford Fair!

Tea and Travel in and near DC - Part 2

In Part 1, I shared information about tea places in DC.  Now we move to Maryland which has some excellent (if pricey) options.

Frederick, MD - Serenity Tea Room
One of my faves and one of the best IMHO is Serenity Tearoom in Frederick, MD. Blanche puts on a fabulous tea with a mix of savory and sweet. You can get extra scones (another peeve of mine at many tea rooms) and each person gets their own pot. Blanche serves Harney teas (yeah!) I love that if a tea does not work out you can get another pot and another ... This tea is pricey but it offers a real tea experience in a historic storefront building with lovely tea-oriented decor. When you finish your tea you can walk around downtown Frederick and shop in the little stores that dot the area. We have celebrated birthdays, Valentine's Days and many wedding anniversaries there. Two thumbs up!

Ellicott City, MD - Tea on the Tiber
This tearoom is located in downtown Ellicott City and has a treasure-trove of traditional antique furnishings. Service was good. However, once again there were too many sweets and too few savories.  A solid choice, though.

Annapolis, MD -- Reynolds Tavern 
DH treated me to tea here on a recent birthday. It's located in downtown Annapolis and surrounded by lots of little stores for shopping later. This was a very nice tea with a good mix of sweet and savory.  Service was excellent!  I think the only reason we haven't been back is that it is so far away.  It's perfect for a weekend trip with an overnight stay at a hotel.

Rockville, Maryland - Strathmore
I once organized a group trip (with co-workers) to this tea room. First off, then (it was only offered on Wednesday - and that's fortunately changed). They served Harney Tea which was great, had music (usually harp or piano) but the food was just so-so. It is one of the cheaper teas in the area, but it is a solid option. They do offer theme teas for Valentine's Day, Christmas and the like. Strathmore is on the Metro Red Line, so it is public-transportation-accessible despite its suburban Maryland location.

Sykesville, Maryland - Sweet Simplicitea
This is a tiny tearoom in downtown Sykesville which is  pretty remote from either DC or even suburban Maryland.  Service was good but the tea menu is a bit limited.  We asked about extra scones and they were out.