The Country

Bill and Daniele have a country house out in Western Virginia. It's amazing. If you haven't seen it, and you too are related to the Todds, you should check it out. You don't even have to be all that closely related - Bill is my grandmother's cousin, so I don't even know what that makes me. Bottom line - a visit to the country house is worth stretching the limits of hospitality.

My visit started with a highway escape from the DC area which suddenly switched to hilly roads winding through the farm-speckled countryside. I was lucky enough to catch the peak colors of the autumn foliage. The result was a relaxing ride in the passenger seat through a picturesque orange, red and yellow display of nature's best (minus all the McCain/Palin signs polluting the view). It made me think of the "Eat your view" campaign. Eat local produce and meat - protect the beautiful farmland and open space in your backyard.

The country house itself is a shady modern-style cabin tucked away off of a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. The layout is cozy and welcoming; the furniture comfortable and trendy; the decor pleasing to the eye. It's big enough and small enough. But we didn't spend much time in the house - too many beautiful farms and dirt roads and little streams and pretty lakes and forest paths to explore. What a perfect escape from all the DC craziness.

I'll be back that's for sure.