We are going to a conference in Alexandria at the beginning of may. We are planning:
1 extra day in Alexandria for more sightseeing
3 full days in Wash DC (we've been there before, but will hit museums etc)

We wld be leaving DC on thursday May 8th and plan to fly back to the west coast around Wed May 14th.
Originally i thought of the itinerary below but it is a lot of driving.
Thurs wash dc to Williamsburg
Fri williamsburg
Sat drive to Chincateague
Monday St. Michaels, MD
Wed baltimore airport

After DC, we wld like to see some nature, but 4-5 days around st. michaels/chincoteague seems like it might be too long. we like to walk; don't need nightlife. who knows what the may weather will be.

Any suggestions?

I love the whole Northern Neck area of Virgina, between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, from Fredericksburg to Reedville and Kilmarnock. Very rural with historic sites and state parks to visit, just a few from the map:

http://www.stratfordhall.org/
http://www.christchurch1735.org/
http://www.inglesidevineyards.com/
http://www.bellegroveplantation.com/
http://www.oakcrestwinery.com/
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/caledon.shtml
http://kenmore.org/
http://www.visitfred.com/things-to-do

What about taking the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway into Virginia?

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...line-drive.htm

Make your first stop in Sperryville, hike Old Rag, enjoy the small town. From there you could explore the area of Charlottesville, visiting UVA and Monticello. Many area wineries and good dining choices.

Your second stop could be off the Parkway somewhere like Roanoke or Peaks of Otter.

You can then either backtrack on those roads or use the highways to get back to DC faster.

It isn't as much driving as it looks like as long as you stay away from DC.

If two days in St Michaels is too much, you can go on to Annapolis or you can add a day around Williamsburg and visit a couple of the James River plantations or the museum in Jamestown.

I am going to check out the recommendations.
my spouse likes the idea of the shore.
is st michaels a good home base? does two full days there sound right?
or is there another town that wld be better?

any thoughts about chincoteague?

Either do Chincoteague or if you really want "the shore" and a lot of it, then take the 300-mile drive to the Outer Banks...worthwhile, believe me; you could even throw in Williamsburg on the way.