After reading the Summer 2008 edition of Trips and Getaways, we decided to take a long weekend trip to Virginia Beach. It has turned out to be the highlight of our summer. With some enthusiastic encouragement from our son, we managed to climb to the top of the Cape Henry Lighthouse; spent a gloriously sunny day at the beach frolicking in the waves; rode the entire length of boardwalk on a family bicycle; went souvenir shopping in our bathing suits and danced to the free music concerts on the streets. Our son even became comfortable enough in the water to learn how to swim at the hotel pool. We came home a bit exhausted, but with a smile on our faces and many happy memories of our impromptu family vacation. The best part was that it was all less than a four hour drive away from home. We’ll definitely be going back to Virginia Beach next summer.

Marylena
Vienna, Va.