This weekend, we headed up I-95 for one final hurrah of summer.  In short, it was pretty wonderful.  I mean, how could it not be when it started with this:

IMG_8951Friends, meet Amtrak’s Quiet Car.  This magical place is what awaited me after dropping the kids off with my gracious inlaws.  No talking, no crying, no loud anything.  PURE BLISS, my friends.  My ticket was to Baltimore, but every ounce of me wanted to sit for days.  In quiet.  I think I might request a roundtrip cross-country train ticket for Christmas this year because it was THAT GOOD.

IMG_8972But I didn’t because there was Josh to celebrate!  I was friends with Josh throughout high school.  And I cannot confirm or deny that I attended a prom or two with his brother, Luke.  And THEN all three of these guys headed to Virginia Tech where they became friends and lived together and dealt with this William and Mary girl hanging out at their apartment all. the. time.  And then everyone grew up and got married and lived happily ever after.  The end.

IMG_8973After such a fun night in Gettysburg for Josh’s wedding, we headed back to Richmond where we didn’t stay long because…

IMG_9029…Busch Gardens!  We’ve been a couple times this year, but this was probably the best yet.  The crowds were minimal, and we couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather.

IMG_9020 IMG_8997 IMG_8988 IMG_9035Plus THIS.  Though we were all exhausted from Busch Gardens, Matt indulged me in a quick stroll through Colonial Williamsburg and W&M.

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They say you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, and that can’t be any truer of my college experience.  I can’t even believe I got to live here for four years.

IMG_9055IMG_9075 IMG_9050Most beautiful college campus ever.  Not that I’m biased or anything.

Alas, after another quick stop back through Richmond, we’re home.  And if you’re wondering, Baltimore + Gettysburg + Williamsburg + Richmond in four days = exhaustion.  Pure exhaustion and apparently one unnamed Allison child who has cried all day saying, “I don’t WANT you to be my mommy anymore!  Mimi gives me candy and you don’t.  I want MIMI to be my mommy!”

Fabulous.