Philemon House

We traveled to Northern NC / Southern VA over Independence Day weekend this year.  Our timing was determined by work commitments and we didn't honestly realize we were going to a tourist destination over a prime vacation weekend.  As a result, we were unprepared for the expense of available lodging and the scarcity there of.  

We often stay at AirBNB's when we travel, but always choose "entire home" rentals where we have a private residence to ourselves.  

We discovered Philemon House on our bazillionth AirBNB and/or Hotels.com search of the area and it looked wonderful.  There had to be a catch ... and there was.  This was a private ROOM rental.  Not a full home/space.  After discussion and review of the listing, we decided to give it a try anyway.  We love new experiences and we had 2 days to fill.  

Conclusion: WE LOVE PHILEMON HOUSE!  

From the amazing coffee bar

To fresh cooked breakfast and dinner each day ..

To refreshing beverages waiting for us "just because" ...

Our stay here was amazing.  Melanie is an amazing cook.  She also loves Jesus and practices hospitality with a grace that simply must be her spiritual gifting.  

Our bedroom was decorated with a nautical theme.  Perfect considering our proximity to the coast.  

Photo from AirBNB listing

We were surprised by, but appreciated being provided our own key for our individual bedroom as well.  

If you're visiting Virginia Beach, or traveling up/down the east coast, make a point to spend a night or ten at Philemon House.  You will be so happy you did!

Washington, NC

We had one night un-booked during our recent trip to the East Coast and found a rather random AirBNB in Washington NC in which to stay.  This Caboose was our home for the night. The interior is designed in one long, skinny, room with all the comforts of home. Best part - the washer and dryer.  We'd certainly recommend this lodging for anyone looking for somewhere to stay in the area. 

The caboose is located just a few hundred yards from the end of the boardwalk and is in a great location if you enjoy walking about.  Which we do.

We did arrive in Washington with enough time to walk around the city.  Coming in blind, we didn't know what to expect but found Washington a charming little water town complete with giant crab statues!  

and small staircases to no-where

The local wildlife was also fun to spy among the lily pads. Since we happened to be in Washington on a Sunday, not much was open, so we'll have to give this little town another chance someday.  

The Wright Brothers

We spent the 4th of July visiting the site of the first manned flight, Kitty Hawk NC!  This National Park includes an interesting museum (Engineer Hubby understood way more of the exhibits than Wifey).  The exhibits explained various components of the science of flight as well as the hurdles that the Wright brothers encountered in developing the first "airplanes".  

Life-Size Replica of the first successful flyer

The site of the successful flights! 

The first day of successful flight in 1903, the brothers took 4 flights, the last one the longest at 59 seconds for a distance of 852 feet.  When visiting Kitty Hawk, you can walk the path of these flights and see a marker at each distance.  

Also on the National Park site is Big Kill Devil Hill.  During the early 1900s this was a large sand hill that the brothers and team would carry early designs (essentially giant kites) up and then use the cross winds for test 'flights' back down.  Despite the heat, we chose to climb up the hill and see the monument up top.  Honestly it was pretty warm, but we were determined.  Note to self: Avoid travel in the summer. 

The White House

We're at the White House!!!!  How cool!  Sadly, despite reading and rereading the do's and don't's of visiting, the traveling selfie stick still died in order to allow us to enter.  There were tears.  The white-house tour was somewhat disappointing.  We walked through a number of old public-facing rooms.  The tour might be interesting if you've never done castle tour after palace tour after castle tour after palace tour.  We're glad we went, but probably will consider this a once-and-done experience.  

Americana Hotel - Crystal City, MD

Crystal City is a neighborhood in Arlington, VA just outside of Washington DC.  You may have seen it mentioned recently on the news as the new home of an Amazon hub.  Crystal City is also just one simple metro stop away from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.  Since hotels in the DC area are EXPENSIVE, we ended up at a little off-brand hotel called the Americana.  It was literally half the nightly price of nearby options and included on-site parking!  What! 

Our room was one of the nicer rooms on the property.  Out the curtained door in this next picture is a balcony.  Honestly, Wifey wasn't a fan of the balcony and is pretty confident it is a former motel that has since been converted. 

A TV and appropriately proportioned desk and chair were included.  

The Americana advertises as having "retro" bathrooms.  And do they ever.  This appears to be the only part of the hotel's interior that hasn't been updated since it was built sometime last century :)  For all the lack of style, and in some places, the integrity of tile, the bathroom was clean and functional.  And for the price and location, this was all we asked for. 

Breakfast was also provided, although we weren't huge fans.  Options included donuts, toast and other breads, and oatmeal. 

We do want to warn future guests of the Americana ... some of the parking is ... low clearance, so watch your head! :)

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland - The Lodging

Our lodging is summed up as Worst Hilton Ever.  We've stayed in some not-ideal accommodations from time to time.  Typically in a city-center or the boonies to save a bit of money for other priorities.  To be honest, we've probably stayed in worse hotels.  But we have never stayed in a worse Hilton. 

Let's begin with the positives -

Breakfast was excellent! 

So this looks like a normal hotel room.  White balance is off, but candidly I don't care enough to photoshop it.  

Make a guesstimate how much shorter than this desk is this desk chair .... go ahead ... A LOT.  There is no world in which these were designed to go together not can the chair adjust sufficiently to set ergonomically and work at the desk.  Not pictured - the Ethernet cable that was broken and fell out of anything to which it was plugged repeatedly.  

Note the door - they key card has to be inserted to unlock it.  Which means - no digital key.

This is a bug.  It crawled across our entryway.  

Don't believe me?

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland - The Food

We have spent three days near the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.  They have been full of work for both Hubby and Wifey with brief respites for Food.  As a result, this is a food heavy post.  I promise, more adventures await so stay tuned.

We had dinner our first night in town at the Lighthouse Restaurant and Dock Bar. 

Our schedules didn't allow for lunch adventures, but I imagine that Lighthouse would be an even better destination for lunch when you can see the scenery.  

We are stuffed!  You can't tell but there's an ocean behind us in this pic!  

The second night we were in town we visited Zahniser's Dry Dock Restaurant. Wifey wasn't feeling very well that day, so no selfies were taken ... but check out this food .... YUM.  

The fresh flowers on the table were a nice touch as well as the boat as decor overhead.  Like Lighthouse, Zahniser's would probably be a better lunch destination ... except they aren't even open for lunch with the exception of Sundays.  Such a beautiful view (I presume) wasted :) 

Our hotel was next door to a typical Mexican restaurant. It served take-out as most do.

#lunch