Weekends Away from Washington

If you spend your days working in Washington, DC you know about tourists. You've seen the lines at the monuments and the scores trying to all get lunch at noon. When you look for a getaway you know this is not what you want. Peace and quiet are what you need, and peace and quiet are what you are going to get at these weekend escapes - all just a short drive away.

Annapolis, MD is home to the United States Naval Academy and the state capital. But it has a distinctive small town feel, with a wonderful historic district that brings you back to colonial days. The Chesapeake Bay provides a lovely backdrop and Dock Street has many interesting shops and restaurants. If you want to get away from the touristy area, ventures a few blocks away into the historic district - just watch your step on the brick-lined sidewalks. Don't miss the U.S. Naval Chapel on the Academy campus, 101 Cooper Road, a bronzed-dome beauty that contains the crypt of John Paul Jones.

Bed and breakfast abound in Annapolis and the Flag House Inn (26 Randall Street) is a wonderful choice. They have off-street parking; a big plus in the summertime and the location is within walking distance to many sites. Each room has its own bath and the owners provide a scrumptious breakfast in their antique filled home.

If you like an excuse to drive after being cooped up in the city all week, head for the hills of West Virginia. The Washington Heritage Trail in the north end of the state is a beautiful ride and will take you to the historic town of Harper's Ferry. This iNational Historical Park and is run by the National Park Service and sits on the banks of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. You cannot drive into the park itself, but there are shuttle buses that leave continuously from the Park Visitor Center, 171 Shoreline Drive. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Here you will learn about the infamous John Brown raid and it importance to the civil rights battle.

If nature calls to you, take a trip to the Shenandoah National Park, just a little more than an hours drive from the city. There are four entrances to get into the park, which encompasses the gorgeous Skyline Drive, 105 miles in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For a more active way to see the park, there are 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Hiking maps are available online, or at the three visitors center in the park.

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