In June of 1999 –

Sherry and I transferred within the company –

To Northern Va. – to the Alexandria section –

just outside Washington, D.C.

We had two months of company-paid living –

in a block of condos.

We used this time for our new jobs –

hers in Dulles next to the airport –

and mine in Springfield at our Alexandria SSC.

We came from the country to city life!

In our spare time, we hired a realtor –

and started our search for a home.

We wanted a place that was halfway to work for both of us.

FAIRFAX, VA.!

What we found was a townhome in the Fountain Side Lane –

Three miles to George Mason University –

two miles to the NRA – building!

STICKER SHOCK – this town home was about 1600 SF.

On three levels – three bedrooms –

and two and one-half baths.

But was centrally located to both our jobs.

It would take me one-half hour to get to work –

and she is about twenty minutes!

It was a nice neighborhood –

walkable to a large town square with stores –

shopping and restaurants.

During our time there-

we rode our bikes on trails in a forest behind the house.

This whole area would become a planned TOWN CENTER –

With dozens of stores and bars and grills-

even a Ruth’s Chris Steak House!

We watched it being built –

and eventually the first WEGMENS in the NVA. area.

It was during this time her sister Debbie –

seen here in the middle-

Relocated from Wisconsin –

and stayed with us for a short time-

until she found a place in the Manassas area.

Her other sister Bonnie remains in NWPA in Mount Jewett.

We experienced two traumatic life-changing events-

while living here.

First was 911 – this happened while we worked in the area –

The plane that hit the Pentagon –

flew right over the parking lot where I worked –

And Sherry was right next to the Dulles airport

One plane took off from there,

and all these large tanks were holding fuel right next to her store.

For days the sound of silence ensued.

No planes –

we traveled to see the Pentagon –

and have a picture of the destruction.

This went on for days –

as no planes –

but the high military jets leaving their presence known-

in the trail of white contrails in the sky!

The next event was the DC. SNIPERS!

We were exactly in the middle of all the killings!

It was all around us –

and not knowing from moment to moment who would be next!

We lived in TERROR!

Always be watchful at the beginning-

of a WHITE VAN!

Rumors – going to work at 5am.

Stopping to get gas –

and crouching down behind the car door –

in the light from the overhead lights.

Here is Maddy –

about five years old –

and just a baby when we moved to the area.

I carried her in my arms –

while walking the streets during the quiet period after 911!

Looking at the jet planes so high in the sky.

Our home here –

we lived in it for three and one-half years.

Tammy moved in with us as she came from Rochester to be near us.

Later Debby and Mike moved down from the Syracuse area with Maddy!

It was here that both sets of parents came to visit –

before they passed away.

We have many fond memories of this first home in Fairfax, Va.

Soon – more family members made their way to this area of NVA.

While here –

we watched a new development –

just behind our house going up –

We liked the new townhomes made out of brick.

S o – we decided to sell –

and buy our first new to-be-built home – a block away!

RIDGETOP COMMONS – a 2500 SF. Town Home!

We would be moving up the hill!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Coming in another blog – RIDGETOP COMMONS!