Holiday cheer followed us to Little Washington as we took part in a Saturday-before-Christmas 5K put on by the local 4-H.
It was the type of race where people dress up as Grinches and Elves and Santas. When the starter said the faster runners should go to the front, there a was a mini stampede to get to the back.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the town about a two-hour drive from D.C. is the Inn at Little Washington. It is considered one of the best restaurants in the U.S. I made reservations there about a year ago for Col’s birthday.
I read on one of the reviews that it was expensive. Expensive for a meal for me translates in my head to $100, $200 tops. But as I investigated a bit further, I realized to bill could run into four figures – not the kind of expenditure I make without consulting Col.
Luckily, it snowed that week so I had an excuse to cancel. I made reservations at a nice, all be it much less expensive, restaurant in D.C.
As far as the run was concerned, I was told it was on a flat course that wrapped around the historic town. Being that most of the county is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I am guessing there isn’t 3.1 miles of continuous flat anywhere. There were a couple of pretty big hills. The area also hosts a very challenging 10K in April that rather purposely goes up and down hills.
Little Washington’s claim to fame is that it is the oldest of the 28 towns named after our Founding Father. George Washington actually surveyed the area in 1749. The town has a population of about 200 and the county has a population of about 7,500.
68 runs downs, 66 to go.
