At the profound risk of writing local in the Washington, DC area two out of two times this week, I'm going to, well... do it anyway. I have cousins in visiting town from Sweden this week, so my mind has been focused on best things to do in the city (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria) that we call home. We're venturing out into the countryside this weekend, an excursion that has me thinking about a previous piece I wrote, Six winery recommendations for your next journey through stunning Virginia Wine Country.

But I'd love to hear from others: What are your favorite things to do when escaping Washington, DC? We'll say within a two to three hour drive. Wine or not. Comment, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail away!

Background reading: Six winery recommendations for your next journey through stunning Virginia Wine Country