July 3

We didn't have a firm plan for the bulk of today, but when Adam and I got up and discussed potential options, we decided on visiting Harper's Ferry. 

So after a lunch stop at Red Robin in Frederick --which was one of Abby's wishes for our trip-- we headed off to West Virginia. It was a little cooler than it has been this week and the humidity felt a little less intense, so we enjoyed a relatively easy hike from the visitor's center to the town. Highlights included a small waterfall, ruins of the Shenandoah Pulp Factory, and a cool wooden bridge over moss-coated water.

In town, we explored the John Brown museum, checked out the views of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, and walked across the train trestle over the water. (Adam was excited about the prospect of going inside the tunnel, but alas, it wasn't an option.) Before we hopped on the bus back to the visitor's center, we stopped by the candy store in town and picked up some unusual sweet treats (like molasses peppermint drops and nougat. The latter totally reminds me of the Easter eggs I used to get in my basket).

Since Jimmie Cone had the very yummy black raspberry flavor on the menu for the weekend, we dropped by for pre-evening meal cones on the way back to Bobby's house. After a brief breather there, we drove to Mount Airy for dinner with my dad at a Mexican place he enjoys. We had a nice time catching up and chatting, and then returned to Bobby's for the night. A degree of hilarity ensued as the famed Pants Gnome --and our very own BearBear-- made an appearance.

It was a good day: the kids got to visit a new state and we got to spend time together. And I got to laugh with my brother for the first time in a long while. And I am grateful for all of that.