Basecamp Definition: A main encampment providing supplies, shelter, and communications for persons engaged in wide-ranging activities, such as exploring, reconnaissance, or mountain climbing.
That about does it, except for the mountain climbing. We don’t mind hiking up mountains, in fact we like mountains, really high ones. But dangling in the air while hanging on with our fingers on a sheer rock face a thousand (or fifty) feet above the ground really isn’t our thing.
Our basecamp in Loudoun County, Virginia is actually the result of a 16-year campaign by our daughter, Tasha, her husband, Clay, and our grandkids Ethan and Cody to persuade us to move closer to them. (Our son Tony and his wife Cammie also had their hat in the ring but the highest mountain in Florida is 345 feet— and yes, we’ve hiked up it— plus they don’t have space for Serafina or a handy dandy efficient apartment to hang out in when we aren’t traveling. Sorry kids.)
We are back on the road now, dashing across the country on freeways to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where Serafina has an appointment for a checkup while still under warranty. As to why Sioux Falls instead of somewhere closer to Virginia, It has to do with my desire to explore more of the northern part of the Western US before the snow flies. Setting the appointment in South Dakota makes sure we get out there ASAP. Then we will slow down and return to moseying on back roads.
BTW, my apologies for being so negligent on keeping up on blogs and comments lately. Between moving, going to Europe, unpacking, and getting ready for another four months on the road, life has been a bit hectic.
As we return to the road, Peggy and I decided it would be fun to share what our ‘not so rough’ basecamp looks like.
As the first photo suggested, Serafina is happily parked in a woodsy area under a beautiful canopy of trees. The kids’ six acres is half wild and half domesticated. The woods harbor foxes, deer, raccoons, squirrels, eagles, and hawks, which is a bit like our Oregon home minus the bears, mountain lions and bobcats. Our house in Oregon wasn’t large, only 1500 square feet. But still, it had two bedrooms, an office, a library, a large living room, a dining room and a kitchen, not to mention a sunroom and three outbuildings. Moving into an efficiency apartment took some adjustment: translate, serious downsizing. This is our living room and library.Turning around, you can see our bedroom.The dining room and one third of the kitchen is off to the side. Our mini-fridge, induction burner, air fryer, toaster and Insta-pot reside there. Another third of the kitchen can be found by turning left at the dining table. That’s where our sink and microwave live. Passing on through the kitchen is our bathroom. Note Eeyore peering down from on top of the bookcase.The final third of the kitchen lives outside. The 2022 Genesis Weber is amazing in what it can do, including bake. It even comes with a pizza stone where I cooked a pizza the other day. I put the stove together. There were 52 steps. Peggy stayed far away!The driveway leading to the kids’ house and our basecamp is off of Charles Town Pike. It’s a sure sign you are in the east when road names include pike. A pike is short for turnpike. In the old days, i.e. 1700s, most of the roads were toll roads built by private individuals. A large pole (pike) was stretched across the road. When you paid your toll, the pole would be turned so you could continue your journey, thus the name turnpike. You can see the house in the distance.Our tool-oriented rooster (thank you to Jeremy Criswell, the artist and our neighbor) that greeted people when they drove into our Oregon home, made the trip east with us. Tasha and Peggy were quick to plant a flower garden in front of one of our windows. We had just returned from our European trip and they were inspired by all of the window gardens.An Amazon truck driver was responsible for planting a gorgeous pumpkin patch which is also in front of our basecamp. Nice of him, huh. He was turning around and drove over some pumpkins the kids had out for Halloween last year. The seeds from the squished squash responded by digging in and growing.Peg’s sister Jane (and my friend of 50 years) made a quick trip out to see us and Tasha and Clay’s family before we escaped. Her daughter Jennifer (Tasha’s cousin) came along. Here we are sitting out on the deck eating a meal of delicious corn chowder Peggy cooked in our Insta-pot. Seated from left to right are Tasha, Jennifer, Jane, our grandson Cody, Peggy, and the Insta-pot. Clay and Ethan were off in Brazil at a jujitsu camp. Peg’s brother John and his wife came out from Texas the next weekend. I’ll write more about our basecamp and the surrounding area when we return in January. I’ll close today with this photo of the Potomac River which is about 20 minutes away. Washington DC is a short 40 miles. Next Friday, I will start a series on our trip up the Rhine River this summer. First up: Amsterdam.
18 thoughts on “A (not so rough)Base Camp… Loudoun County, Virginia”
So glad you’re sharing when you can and posting scenes both inside and outside. You’re fortunate to have such good health and a terminal case of wanderlust! Best wishes for more safe travels.
Looks like you have everything you need! Hope the weather stays nice for you on your northern jaunt. About this time of year we start watching for possible frost at night, but that is normal for Albertans who live fairly close to the mountains!
Though we still have a large house, my home office centers on my recliner chair in our living room. Hubby built me a computer table on wheels. I can sit in my chair, pull (roll) the table up to the front of the chair, lift the chair leg rest to whatever is comfortable, pull out the keyboard tray attached to the underside of the table – and my home office is ready to use! I use a side table for my scanner.
We are already noting a slight drop in the temperature, Margy. After all the heat, it is a welcome relief.
My lap has been serving as my desk for years, wherever I happen to be, Margy. I’ve had a laptop for at least 20 years. The red chair in the photo has served as my ‘at home’ office for the past ten years. 🙂 Our trailer, Serafina, has a comfy chair that is serving now.
Not this time, Peggy. But we have been in and out of the state a few times in the past. Our last time was a couple of years ago when we were following the path of the early 1900 auto race around the world. Also, my father was born in Nebraska. –Curt
We loved Amsterdam, Gerard. It’s been a favorite city of mine ever since I first visited in 1967. I’ve been working through our photos of this summer’s visit for Friday’s post. Fun. –Curt
We are lucky to be surrounded by woods being so close to Washington, Ray. And our apartment has enough of our ‘treasures’ in it to make us feel at home.
We live in D.C. for many years, transferred for a few years to NJ and then moved back to DC for a while. Most of that time, we lived in the city.
On on return the second time, we found we enjoyed the galleries and museums much more. Previously, we only toured them with out of town guests and tried to see everything in one day; it was exhausting. On our second move to the area, we would select just one thing we wanted to see, perhaps a new exhibit, go see it for a couple hours, and leave other things to another day. I don’t know if you are close enough to do that, but I would highly recommend it. In visits after we moved to Florida, we also found that parking near a subway in Virginia and using public transport was much more effective than trying to face DC traffic and parking woes.
Thanks Ray. We simply didn’t have time with our move and Rhine River trip to take advantage of the culture opportunities in DC, but we will be back in January and are planning to do exactly what your recommend: Drive to the nearest Metro station and leave the car. The times I have been in DC in the past, I have always enjoyed the art galleries and once, Barbara Streisand at the Kennedy Center.
Looks like a comfy spot, and it’s nice to have family around.
Thank you so much for showing us your basecamp so we can picture where you will come back to after each adventure. It looks beautiful and relaxing and inviting. How wonderful to have your family fighting over who gets to have you with them. I am looking forward to seeing Amsterdam through your eyes. I’ve had it on my bucket list for some time.
Wandering through Time and Place 
So glad you’re sharing when you can and posting scenes both inside and outside. You’re fortunate to have such good health and a terminal case of wanderlust! Best wishes for more safe travels.
Laughing, Rusha… a terminal case of wanderlust, indeed. –Curt
Looks like you have everything you need! Hope the weather stays nice for you on your northern jaunt. About this time of year we start watching for possible frost at night, but that is normal for Albertans who live fairly close to the mountains!
Though we still have a large house, my home office centers on my recliner chair in our living room. Hubby built me a computer table on wheels. I can sit in my chair, pull (roll) the table up to the front of the chair, lift the chair leg rest to whatever is comfortable, pull out the keyboard tray attached to the underside of the table – and my home office is ready to use! I use a side table for my scanner.
We are already noting a slight drop in the temperature, Margy. After all the heat, it is a welcome relief.
My lap has been serving as my desk for years, wherever I happen to be, Margy. I’ve had a laptop for at least 20 years. The red chair in the photo has served as my ‘at home’ office for the past ten years. 🙂 Our trailer, Serafina, has a comfy chair that is serving now.
The base camp looks great. Hope your trip to Sioux Falls gives you some time to explore Nebraska.
Not this time, Peggy. But we have been in and out of the state a few times in the past. Our last time was a couple of years ago when we were following the path of the early 1900 auto race around the world. Also, my father was born in Nebraska. –Curt
I am sure you both will like Amsterdam. Downsizing is difficult, especially choosing what to get rid of.
We loved Amsterdam, Gerard. It’s been a favorite city of mine ever since I first visited in 1967. I’ve been working through our photos of this summer’s visit for Friday’s post. Fun. –Curt
it’s great that you have a place so reminiscent of your Oregon home in the woods.
We are lucky to be surrounded by woods being so close to Washington, Ray. And our apartment has enough of our ‘treasures’ in it to make us feel at home.
We live in D.C. for many years, transferred for a few years to NJ and then moved back to DC for a while. Most of that time, we lived in the city.
On on return the second time, we found we enjoyed the galleries and museums much more. Previously, we only toured them with out of town guests and tried to see everything in one day; it was exhausting. On our second move to the area, we would select just one thing we wanted to see, perhaps a new exhibit, go see it for a couple hours, and leave other things to another day. I don’t know if you are close enough to do that, but I would highly recommend it. In visits after we moved to Florida, we also found that parking near a subway in Virginia and using public transport was much more effective than trying to face DC traffic and parking woes.
Thanks Ray. We simply didn’t have time with our move and Rhine River trip to take advantage of the culture opportunities in DC, but we will be back in January and are planning to do exactly what your recommend: Drive to the nearest Metro station and leave the car. The times I have been in DC in the past, I have always enjoyed the art galleries and once, Barbara Streisand at the Kennedy Center.
Looks like a comfy spot, and it’s nice to have family around.
Quite comfy, Dave. While it’s not the West, it’s a great place to return to between our adventure. And the kids and grand kids are great.
Love to see how cosy and happy you and Peggy are. Wonderful post Curt.
Peggy and I are lucky, Sylvia. We both got it right on the second time around. 🙂 Hard to believe we are coming up on our 30th this year. Thanks!
Looks like a great basecamp, Curt. A manageable space, the beautiful outdoors, and best of all, family right there!
Thank you so much for showing us your basecamp so we can picture where you will come back to after each adventure. It looks beautiful and relaxing and inviting. How wonderful to have your family fighting over who gets to have you with them. I am looking forward to seeing Amsterdam through your eyes. I’ve had it on my bucket list for some time.