Virginia Beach - 4 June

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Thursday, 4 June

We checked out of the Cherokee KOA around 8am and headed for Virginia Beach. Overall, the Cherokee KOA was well-equiped, clean, and the staff weren't unfriendly, but it was a bit desolate, the WiFi mixup was annoying and coffee isn't free anymore. I'd give it a 7 or 8 overall. The first part of our 8 hour trip was on a very steep, winding, narrow road, with downhill grades up to 9 percent with runaway truck ramps. Once we reached Maggie Valley, the auto speed limit was 55 but for trucks only 35! The rest of the trip was easier and uneventful. We pulled into the Virginia Beach KOA just after 6pm and were promptly met by the friendly host. The office and store closed at 5:30pm. He got our key and check-in package, then escorted us on his golf cart to our cabin. it had rained quite a bit here and along the way, so everything seemed a bit dreary and again pretty empty. Manoli had been in communications with our old friends Roger and Maribel and we arranged to meet them for dinner at the Reginella Italian Ristorante. Roger and Maribel looked pretty much the same as they had 18 years ago. Maribel's sister Maria Regla and her husband were there to celebrate her birthday. The food was very good and not too expensive. Manoli had a big salad and I had Penne Primavera. After a leisurely dinner, we all went to Maria Regla's house and caught up on old times til after midnight, then Manoli and I went back to the KOA. Tomorrow we'll check out the beach and other local sights, then our 2nd and last night in this KOA before heading for Washington D.C.

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Photos

Virginia BeachKOA
The main office and pool at the Virginia Beach KOA.

Roger & Maribel
Our old friends Roger and Maribel at the Italian Restaurant.

Maria Regla & Jay
Maribel's sister Maria Regla and her husband Jay.