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 Every Monday at 2 p.m., Washington Post travel editor Craig Stoltz joins us for our weekly live travel discussion. This week's discussion featured guest host Roger Piantadosi answering your questions on regional travel. A transcript is below, along with an archive of previous live discussions.
Burke, VA:
One weekend when hubby and I wanted to cool off, but couldn't stomach the drive to the beach, we went to Luray Caverns. It was delightfully cold, and there was NO traffic. Plus the surrounding countryside is really pretty.
Roger Piantadosi: I'll suggest two places, in opposite directions -- although your instinct to head away from the beach is probably a good one. There's a place on the WESTERN shore of the Chesapeake which, if you haven't been there, is great for a cool hike through the forest that leads to the Calvert Cliffs, high sandy cliffs that stretch from North Beach to Solomons Island (itself a great little town for lunch or dinner with a waterfront view). The hike would be at Calvert Cliffs State Park, which is not far from the nuclear power plant and is only about 1,200 acres big, but seems miles from anything and will definitely transport you, both in the trail through the forest as well as once you get to the water where people hunt for ancient shark's teeth and other fossils that erode naturally from the cliffs. The other place is also, like Luray, in the Shenandoah Valley -- it being New Market. A little more workmanlike than Luray, maybe, but with its own caverns (Shenandoah Caverns) and a couple of great small museums devoted to such subjects as the Civil War and, um, bedroom furnishings through the ages (seriously).
Washington, D.C.: Which states in the Mid Atlantic are the worst -I mean, most aggressive- about speed limit enforcement? Roger Piantadosi: My totally unscientific conclusion, having driven through interstates and country roads throughout the mid-Atlantic region, is that they're all getting more agressive. My personal experience, though, is that Maryland seems the most evident and high-tech of the lot. It'd be interesting to hear what others have experienced -- any comments?
Arlington, Va.: Can you recommend a little country town nearby for someone who's interested in a day or weekend of antiquing-strolling- cafe-going not too far from DC? Roger Piantadosi: Here's a whole list of places I recommend for strolling, antiqueing and cafe-going: Fredericksburg, Va.; Frederick, Md.; Sperryville and Washington, Va. (they're five miles apart); New Market, Md.; Berlin, Md. (near Ocean City) and, not far from Berlin, Snow Hill. Get going. Take notes and report back.
ARLINGTON, VA: MY HUSBAND AND I WILL CELEBRATE OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY JULY 25, 1999. WHERE DO YOU SUGGEST WE CAN SPEND A LONG WEEKEND AT A MOUNTAIN CABIN ON A LAKE AND CANOE, SWIM, BIRDWATCH, STARGAZE, ... CARL_TERI_VA-MSN.COM Roger Piantadosi: There are several really nice state parks in both West Virginia that offer cabins I'd recommend. (Though reserving for July of this year might be a bit difficult, it's definitely worth trying.) The ones that come to mind are (in West Virginia): Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park (both about four hours from DC); in Maryland, a Travel staffer had several great times over the years at Herrington Manor State Park, way out on the western edge of Maryland (also about four hours). Good luck and happy 25th.
Arlington, Va.: I'm looking for a nice freshwater swimming hole, but I'm really picky. I'd like cold, moving water and I'd prefer a stone floor to muck. Bonus for waterfalls. I'd be willing to drive -or hike- a little further if it meant fewer crowds. Roger Piantadosi: I'm assuming (and I shouldn't, probably) that you already know about Cunningham Falls State Park -- since it's not more than an hour from the Beltway north of Thurmont, Md., and it's really easy to get to. The park has a swimming lake, which is nice for folks with young kids, but better are the namesake falls -- which you can either park near or hike to through the rocky/mossy bottom of a great fairytale forest, and then, you can wade in. Some people I talked to last time my wife and I waded in had been there for hours, just letting the water flow over (or, mostly, around, since you can stand or sit around the various pools in the rocks). Not sure what the flow's like in these recent dry conditions, but it's worth calling the park to find out.
Washington, DC:
Where do you think is the best place to go camping in the region -within 2-3 hours drive of DC-? I am not looking for a true "roughing" it experience, but more of a place to set up camp, maybe hike and swim, etc.
Roger Piantadosi: If you've not looked into the campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park, you should. I'm not talking about the backcountry camping, for which you need a) a permit and b) experience, or at least a guide, but rather the campgrounds clustered around the park's lodges, the closest of which to D.C. are probably Skyland and Big Meadows. (There are others; call the park headquarters, 540-999-3500.) Both are two to two and a half hours away from Washington.
Hagerstown, Md.: I think the Pa. Turnpike has the highest concentration of speed traps anywhere. Roger Piantadosi: Thanks, Hagerstown. Anyone else?
Arlington, VA: From time to time, Craig talks about the low-cost opportunities available off-season at ski resorts -most notably mountain biking-. Is this something novices can handle fairly quickly? What other activities are usually offered at-near ski resorts during the summer season? Roger Piantadosi: Yes, ski resorts in summer are a great vacation idea -- cool and uncrowded, with off-season rates. Besides mountain biking, they offer activities like roller blading, mountain climbing, horseback riding, camping, gondola sky-rides, river rafting and kayak. Check out our Slope-o-Matic Guide from last summer (7/12/98), in which we listed 10 ski resorts in the east and west, along with prices and contact numbers, info on special events, nearby lodging and more. As for whether mountain biking is something a novice could pick up easily, you should a) be in pretty good shape and b) find out if the tracks are dirt or mostly rock. Rock is hard (sorry), but also less forgiving to beginners -- but almost anyone who's had bike experience can find a trail that won't kill them. The ski resorts usually are hooked up with outfitters (if they're not already on staff) who can help.
Baltimore, Md.: When did Delaware raise their tolls on I-95 to $2? They've got to be the most expensive state to cross in the country -mile by mile anyway-, and frankly, they're not worth the money. Roger Piantadosi: Don't know, but it's been at least a couple of years (if anyone knows . . .). Our recent "I-95 North" issue (Sunday Travel, 5/30/99) mentioned a few options for getting through Delaware, all cheaper but none are as fast as 95.
Washington DC: Are there any conservation organizations that organize "conservation holidays"? In England, there are several organizations that offer a year-long schedule of 5-12 day hlidays where a small group of people rebuild trails, eliminate non-indigenous flora, etc in beautiful parts of the countryside. The costs-as well as the amenities-are modest as you are "working." Is there anything like that in the US? Roger Piantadosi: There's an organization in the D.C. area that you ought to check into -- the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (703-242-0315 or www.patc.simplenet.com), which sponsors trail-rebuilding trips year round, many in Shenandoah National Park but also in the Allegheny ranges of Maryland and Pennsylvania. I think the costs and amenities are similarly scaled down for such trips, particularly if you've paid your annual dues already (something like $35 or $40, I think). Anyone else know want to suggest similar organizations?
Arlington, VA: re: Day Trips for strolling. Definitely Fredericksburg, VA. Also Leesburg, VA -Loudoun County- and Warrenton, VA -Fauquier County- Roger Piantadosi: Thanks, Arlington. About Warrenton, by the way: A lot of people think the sprawling plastic-sign festival you drive through on U.S. 211 is Warrenton, but it's not -- old town Warrenton is just south of the highway, and worth the detour.
Falls Church, VA:
Can you recommend some B&B options for a twenty-something couple on a tight budget? We're new to the Virginia area and would like to go somewhere within 2-3 hr drive but still feel like we're in the countryside.
Roger Piantadosi: You can do a lot of good research on B&B offerings and prices on the Web these days -- starting with a Web site I've heard Travel staff writer Carolyn Spencer Brown recommend, www.bbchannel.com. And the Virginia tourism people (in D.C. at 202-872-0523) are pretty good about matching people with simpatico B&Bs; There are also, just happen to be, kinda thought it would help you to know that, well, A LOT of choices to peruse in a certain Washington Post-published guide to quick getaways from a certain nation's capital, compiled by a certain Travel staff editor/writer and titled "Escape Plans." Area bookstores. Amazon.com. We now return to our regularly scheduled noncommercial programming. (Makes a great Father's Day gift. Sorry.)
Alexandria, Va.: Can you suggest any place where I could buy ten acres in the mountains cheaply -to camp on or build a cabin-? I'd prefer to be within three hours of D.C. Roger Piantadosi: West Virginia mountain acreage is probably the least expensive in the area (and a minimum two-hour drive) from most of D.C., but there are some good deals to be found in Blue Ridge and piedmont Virginia -- mostly south and west of Culpeper and Rappahannock counties, which would put you in Madison County and that area, which is about the two-hour mark. It's beautiful country.
Annapolis MD:
For the new VA couple:
Roger Piantadosi: A good point from--oh, from Annapolis, eh? Someone who not only talks the talk but also walks the walk . . .
Rockville, MD: I am interested in finding a Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD hotel that would be appropriate for a romantic weekend. Any suggestions? Roger Piantadosi: In Washington, I'm partial to the Tabard Inn -- which most know as a really good and not inexpensive restaurant on a wonderful short stretch of N Street between downtown and Dupont Circle, but which also rents rooms (simple, elegant urbane; the last two being also applicable to the neighborhood). In Baltimore, I've heard good things about two Fells Point inns -- Celie's Waterfront B&B and Ann Street Bed and Breakfast -- but haven't stayed at either myself.
Washington DC: My finace' and I are taking a weekend getaway to Chicago next month. Any suggestion what we should definitely not miss while we're in town? Roger Piantadosi: Chicago offers way too much to do in one weekend, but here are a few definite, don't-miss, gotta-do's:
washington dc: The Sierra Club sponsors what it calls Service trips -usually a week long- to work on trails, etc., at locations all over the country. Details at sierraclub.com. Roger Piantadosi: Thanks, Washington!
Arlington, VA,:
Hi there.
Roger Piantadosi: We promised to stay regional this week, but our resident Vegas expert, John Deiner, says the good thing about Vegas in July is that the rates are cheap. On the other hand, the reason the rates are cheap is because it can be VERY hot in Vegas in July. Airfares aren't always cheap to Vegas in the summer, but two tips: Check out America West's nonstop from BWI, which occasionally has some discounted seats, and Southwest offers a good rate for its weekly nonstop from BWI (but you have to stay at least a week). A lot of the hotel websites also have special deals that include air, John says.
Annnapolis MD:
I have a question for you.... My fiancee and I love bed and brekkies, especially ones in quaint waterside towns... however we just cam into possesion of a -well-trained- dog, not a pup, and are not at the point yet where we feel comfortable with kenneling him on weekend vacations..
Roger Piantadosi: Not on the Eastern Shore, but here's two places to check, both in Virginia: Creek Crossing Farm B&B in Lincoln, Va. (Loudoun County) and Deerlane Cottages in Luray, Va. (Shenandoah Valley, not far from where 211 crosses Skyline Drive).
Annapolis MD:
For the Vegas vs Eastern Shore: If you decide to stay local, check out Tilghman Island... especially the Lazyjack Inn... They have a website... We went there for an Anniv. and had the most wonderful time.. better than the honeymoon!!!
Roger Piantadosi: Thanks.
Bethesda, MD:
My husband and I have booked a 7-day cruise on the Carnival Paradise in August. Anything we first-timers ought to know?
Roger Piantadosi: This will have to be the last for this week, folks. Thanks for making the hour go so quickly!
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