Suggestions for going solo?

[songbird]

My cousin was due to get married in NC in May and DH and I had planned a trip to US to incorporate this and to see his family in KY and SC. Flights were pretty expensive due to the round trip. And now the good news! DH and I are splitting up, and he will be staying in US. As our flights go via Chicago I booked separate flights from there for him to go to KY and for me to go to Washington DC near where my aunt lives. So it was bad enough going to the wedding on my own - well my sisters, and mum will be there for a 5 day trip, (I have 2 weeks to kill), but now wedding has been called off. My flights are non cancellable/non changeable etc. I am debating whether to lose the money or to go anyway. Timing couldn't be worse - I start new job on Monday.

If I go, my mum and sisters will be there for a few days. What should I do for the rest of the time. My aunt lives in VA and it is here son that was to get married, he has moved back home so I know the atmosphere will be great between his problems and my own. I feel like I want to take off for some time on my own but don't know the area or what to plan. I haven't driven much in US and never on the freeway. Can anyone help with any suggestions, that does not involve more flights or long drives........a secluded sanctuary to get my head straight - nah only kidding, but I could do with some advice please.

[Lotus Freak]

wow, first off, I'm sorry to hear about your split up. Where in VA will you be staying? If you're staying in Richmond, you've got an easy drive north to Washington DC. There's plenty to do there on your own, especially if you like museums and art galleries. You could head east and go to Colonial Williamsburg. More historic places to see...you've got the village and Jamestown and they've got a lot of outlets (I used to do a lot of shopping at The Potteries Outlet, Patriot Plaza and Prime Outlets...there's more but those are the ones I can remember) you can get some good shopping in or you could head off to VA Beach. The beach is where I always go when I want to spend time on my own. If you head west you can go to Charlottesville and take in the scenery at Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) and keep heading west to the Shenandoahs. It's beautiful up in the mountains this time of year.

Driving the freeways are easy peasy, straight roads that are well marked and if you have a new rental car, I'm sure it'll have sat nav. Let me know where in VA you'll be staying and I can tell you even more.

[weesoul]

I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear you are splitting up.  Good luck with whatever happens. 

[songbird]

Thanks for your kind thoughts Lotus and Wee soul. My aunt is in Fairfax VA, so that is probably the base for a few days. I am trying to talk my mum and sisters into going to the beach either Virginia beach or even NC - which was where we had planned to go originally. My aunt is lovely but can be overpowering and I am sure her thoughts will be with her son who has moved home, so I really want to make sure I have a definate plan and not just drift aimlessly while I am there. I need to keep really focused.

Thank you for your suggestions - I will investigate the possibilities

[Lotus Freak]

Fairfax puts you even closer to Washington DC I meant to add, be sure to make a trip to Maryland and sample some of the famous crab cakes. There's an Irish theme pub in Annapolis...I can't for the life of me remember the name, it's just outside of the Naval Academy...but they have the best crab cakes I have ever tasted. Makes me drool just thinking about it.

Anyway, you could also head off to Chincoteague. There are some places out there where you can walk on secluded beaches, very peaceful!