Harpers Ferry Trip

The first big stop was Moundsville in West Virginia. If you're never heard of Moundsville until now, you're in the same boat I was in while researching for this road trip. Named after an ancient Indian burial mound located in the heart of the town, Moundsville is the quintessential southern small town. Quaint neighborhoods, winding roads, antique shops and all. "Southern comfort" at its finest, I guess you could say.

Oh, and it's got a haunted prison. ;)

Located in Moundsville is the old West Virginia State Penitentiary. In operation from 1876-1995, it is widely recognized as one of the most haunted prisons in the United States. Over the course of its run as an active prison, 998 inmates' lives were taken. Before the Death Penalty was abolished in the state of West Virginia in 1965, inmates on Death Row were either hanged or sent to the electric chair (nicknamed "Old Sparky"). Several inmates were murdered, as well, as fights and riots among the prison population often broke out. We took an incredibly in-depth, 1.5 hour walk-through tour of the facility, in which we learned about several of the prison's incidents. If you're up for some eerie "fun facts" and a few spooks, you HAVE to check this place out.

If you're ever driving through West Virginia and come across a Moundsville sign, swing through town and check out the Penitentiary. Grab some home cookin' at Bob's Lunch afterwards, a cozy diner just down the road! Home-cooked meals aplenty, I would recommend the Patty Bob, their generously-portioned rendition of the classic patty melt sandwich. The friendly staff will greet you as soon as you walk in the door, and I promise you won't leave hungry.

Home to West Virginia University, Morgantown is a lively college town in the heart of West Virginia. We swung through Morgantown a couple hours after exploring Moundsville, and they were quite different from each other! Moundsville is quiet and quaint, while Morgantown's main strip is full of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and even a radio station! We spent about an hour wandering around that afternoon, but I would love to go back and check out the night life!

One word: beautiful. Rocky Gap State Park was our first stop in Maryland, and let me tell ya, it made the drive through Maryland totally worth it. Located back off the highway, Rocky Gap offers camping, hiking, golfing, and even a casino! We walked barefoot on the beach, and, after having driven all day, we were in pure bliss. Children were running around, people were out on the dock fishing, and guys were out on the golf course behind us. What a great time!

I had only stayed at a KOA once before this trip, but I'll be a fan for the rest of my life now. Our experience at the Harpers Ferry KOA was phenomenal. The staff was courteous and the deluxe cabin was beautiful. It was very spacious, had its own bathroom with a shower, and, I must say, the bed was mighty comfortable. The campground was filled with tents, campers, motor-homes and cabins alike. If you're bringing the family along, be sure the kids have their bathing suits and running shoes, because they'll love the swimming pond, swing set, jungle gym, and basketball hoops! All in all, KOA provides a feel-good, summer-lovin' adventure for everyone. The complimentary pancake breakfast was the cherry on top!

I would definitely recommend any KOA property if you're ever in the mood for a camping trip!

Where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet lies the historical Harpers Ferry National Park. You can walk around the Lower Town village, hike any of the trails, visit any of the battlefields, or even check out the museums! The Park spans 3,670 acres of land, so you're bound to discover something that'll peak your interest. It is such a gorgeous area, especially during sunrise and sunset!

Washington D.C. was a whirlwind. I've honestly never been much of a big-city guy, but D.C. was such a unique experience for us. Having been our first time, we didn't really know what to expect going into it. Our first impression was definitely that it seemed much bigger than we'd imagined - everything was actually very spread out. Bigger cities often seem so crammed. Lots of people in a small amount of space. Contrary to most big cities, though, Washington D.C. is much more relaxed. Nobody's in a real big rush, and so you can really take the time to enjoy the sightseeing without having to deal with the traffic craze you'll find in New York City or Chicago.

I thought it was funny that, when we weren't near The White House or any of the Monuments, it didn't even seem like D.C. I would've believed you if you said we were in Massachusetts. It didn't seem like the U.S. Capital! There was so much culture - lots of great food, music, and people - and it had nothing to do with government or politics. It was actually quite fascinating. The amazing weather and beautiful scenery didn't hurt, either. Just walking around, it felt like a "home" of sorts. A very comfortable city to explore, something I hadn't anticipated. Like I said, I was expecting it to be much more hectic, and as someone whose not much into bigger cities, I was pleasantly satisfied with Washington D.C. as a whole.

It was fun doing all of the stereotypical touristy things, such as The White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. When you see photos of a place your whole life, it's amazing when you get the chance to experience that place in person for the first time.

Abraham Lincoln has long been one of my most admired presidents, and so visiting the Lincoln Memorial for the first time, it was a very special experience for me, as was visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Both are definitely "must-do's" if you're in the city. Heck, you can even kill two birds with one stone if you're at Lincoln, as the Washington Monument is directly parallel to the Memorial, across the Reflecting Pond.