A quick trip to the Commonwealth

I love Virginia, mostly. Have had relatives there and our family has a long tradition of connection to the state. My oldest daughter went to school there, I have good friends in Leesburg, wife's ancestors settled in the Rappahannock area and i had a few early ancestors there as well. Great fishing, hiking, and a hotbed of minor league baseball.

Parts of the state are wearing on me after one too many trips there. I've spent a few days there in recent years and it's become quite predicable. There are no surprises here, what was once unique is now mundane. Remants of a bygone area, like most other cities. Interesting but nothing that stays with you. Perhaps a virginian would say the same of Minnesota.

There are a few memorable diversions, particularly the Bellair Market on 250 highway, not far from Charlottesville. It is a gas station with a deli. Surprising. They have a great sandwich, the Belmont.

I had dinner recently at The Club. The people I dined with were fine, great old friends. Not quite as interesting as the witches and warlocks on the downtown mall, but head and shoulders above jefferson, et al.

The locals are warm and friendly, but with a too-strong urge to follow college town stereotypes.

The last Christmas decoration, the outside wreaths, came down today. The lights are still on the bushes but have been turned off. It is the dead of winter.