The Marriott Ranch

 I stayed at the illustrious Marriott Ranch this weekend, in Hume, Virginia. It's a little ways yonder east of Front Royal , at the foot of the blue ridge. I really enjoyed my stay. The hosts were wonderful- showed me my room , offered a plate of cheese, and a good breakfast in the morning. I had  great mountain vista views, and I stayed in the cottage area across from the manor home. They have trail riding and horses there, which I wasn't a part of this visit. I stayed here as a stop over for a show  in Leesburg at the Georgetown Cafe. It's about an hour southwest of there. The drive back and forth to Leesburg was beautiful- I almost did hit a few baby dear along the way. I had to dodge deer, foxes, and even vultures. But I enjoy the back country roads. The area of Northwestern Virginia is entirely untouched for the most part- a world away from the DC 'burbs- I hope it remains that way. It's a hidden gem.  My show in Leesburg wasn't too eventful- not much audience as most of the hustle and bustle was outside on King St. I did my usual set-  and even played "My Loudoun County Home". For the most part , I only had the manager and his son for an audience. Leesburg was swealtering- and terribly humid- something even moreso than Richmond. Maybe it's location on the Potomac traps the heat,  or just how the hot air from DC blows over. I don't know. Anyhow,  here are some pictures of the stay. I read my Civil War novel "Black Flower"in the piano room and the library. There was  a full moon the Friday night of my stay- something very serendipitous.  Ronald Reagean, Roy Rogers, and a host of dignitaries have stayed the  Ranch. I was in good company.

                                                                A video of my stay 

                          My room was the Firefly Room in the carriage house 

The Main House was built in 1814- and lived in first by John Markham Marshall (nearby villages of Markham and Marshall reflect his presence)

                A good breakfast was served by the sous chef, and they brought it out to you. 

                                   A moonlit Night was great for reading in the parlor. 

            My show at Leesburg was not eventful, except a request for "My Loudoun County Home" 

On my return to Richmond, I stopped at Gordonsville at the Exchange Hotel- a very interesting museum with artifacts from the War Between The States, where it was used as a hosptial. I felt a lot of creepy feeling there and heavyness, and it was pretty intense. They had a lot of deaths there. I stopped next door for some good BBQ at the BBQ Exchange. It was delicious . I enjoyed my little excursion. What I found was even  in Northern Virginia, there are still some areas that are Southern and full of Southern hospitality. You just have to know where to look!