Virginia was a really nice time consisting of cavern exploring, mountain climbing, history exploration, checking out some craft beers, and watching a little racing. Let’s begin by looking at the various caverns we explored.
We explored three different caverns in the western mountains of Virginia. First off was Grand Caverns located in Grottoes VA. These caverns were discovered in 1804 and have been open for tours since 1806. Located in the cave are over 200 verified civil war signatures. The most famous is the W. W. Miles signature seen below.
Below are some additional highlights from Grand Caverns.
Next up was the Shenandoah Caverns. Located and included with the admission to these caverns was entry to American Celebration on Parade and the Yellow Barn. These caverns have been open for 90 years and provide an elevator ride to the bottom. Below are some highlights.
Here are some highlights from American Celebration on Parade which contains over 20 massive full sized floats used for Presidential Inaugurations, Tournament of Roses parades, and other National Celebrations.
The last caverns we visited were located in Natural Bridge. These caverns were discovered just before the turn of the 20th century and have been open since 1977. These caverns descend more then 34 stories deep into the earth. Below are some highlights.
While in Virginia we were able to get in a number of hikes. Some of these were on the Rails to Trails, some were up the sides of mountains, and some were through state parks.
The dogs joined us for the rails to trails hike through New River Trail State Park. This trail goes 57 miles from Galax to Pulaski and follows an abandoned railroad right of way, paralleling the New River for 39 miles. On this trail we passed through an old tunnel and walked across an old trestle bridge.
We also took the dogs with us when we went to Crystal Springs Recreation Area just outside Wytheville where it was advertised they had a couple of mile loop. The loop turned out to be a bit mountainous but the dogs did really well. Also, this trail was our first notification of bears in the area.
Kaylor’s Knob is a mountain peak near Massanutten VA. It is about two miles to the knob. The trail is very rocky. When we started, the first sign we came across offered two directions to go – one was Extreme Difficulty and the other was Most Difficult. What a choice. So we started down the most difficult and after a short time turned back figuring extreme might be better. It definitely was. After the climb, it felt good as it rained on us while we descended. See below for some views of the trail and the views from the trail.
During our stay by Massanutten Mountain, we were visited by Sue and John (Mad Dog). One afternoon the four of us hiked the Massanutten Ridge Trail. We did not make it all the way to the ski lifts where they supposedly have wild goats but had a great work out on this 4 hour hike. This trail was really rocky. Good thing we had Sue in the lead as many trail markers were on the rocks and her eagle eyes really helped to pick them out! Here are a few highlights.
The state park where we were able to see the most wildlife was at Grayson Highlands State Park located in Mouth of Wilson VA. This park can be accessed from the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. When you first arrive and stop at the Sugarlands Overlook, the view is beautiful.
As we continued through the park, we saw these folks just hanging on the side of the road.
One of the main attractions of this state park are the wild ponies. We came across a group of them as we were hiking down a trail. They are so used to people and so they just continue to do their thing while you are with them. In the pictures below, the white maned dark colored pony is the leader of this particular group. It rounds the small herd up and keeps them moving along.
Play the video below and hear the clopping of the ponies hooves as well as their calling to each other.
While at he park, we also took a hike along their 2 mile Cabin Creek Trail to view the waterfall. This hike had us fording streams and climbing up next to the waterfall to complete the loop.
History has always been Jeff’s favorite subject and there is nothing like experiencing history from someone who has such a love of the subject as they can bring what you are looking at to life. Plus the Civil War has always been one of my favorite periods in history. Growing up in the north you have a whole different perspective on the ‘War of Northern Aggression’. It is truly enlightening to hear about it from the southern perspective.
We visited the New Market Battlefield during our travels. This was a battle fought during the Valley Campaigns during 1864. 247 Cadets from VMI were part of a makeshift Confederate army of 4,100 who forced Union Major General Franz Sigel out of the Shenandoah Valley.
The battle took place on the Bushong Farm pictured below.
While crossing the field near the Bushong Orchard, several VMI cadets lost their shoes in the mud – this lead to the field being called the “Field of Lost Shoes”. During the battle 10 VMI cadets were killed. There are memorials to these cadets at the Virginia Military Institute.
Another historical place we visited was Appomattox. This was really interesting as they have reconstructed and restored many of the buildings that were in the original town. As part of the tour that we did, there was a young man, dressed and representing a confederate soldier from a farm near town who discussed with you what it was to be a soldier in the Confederate Army, what those last couple of days were like and what it was to be in the town during and after the surrender by Lee. He was able to paint a picture where you could almost see both the Confederate and Union soldiers in town. The Union soldiers lined up as the Confederate soldiers marched by relinquishing their arms in the process.
Here are some pictures of the town and a marker of Lee’s final headquarters.
Just outside the immediate town, there is a Confederate Cemetery. Nineteen Confederate soldiers and one Union soldier are buried here. These men were killed in the last two days of war. Seven of the dead have been identified over the years, the rest remain unknown.
Another amazing day was spent at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. This memorial takes you on an archival journey through WWII and the politics and perils that embody the time period.
Natural Bridge, a 215 foot tall limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek, was once owned by Thomas Jefferson. George Washington surveyed this area and left his initials carved in the side of the bridge. The Cedar Creek trail leads from the bridge to the Monacan Indian Village and Lace Falls.
George Washington’s initials.
The Monacan Indian Village.
Lacey Falls
Big Walker Lookout is a 100 ft observation tower located in the Blue Ridge Highlands Region atop Big Walker Mountain in Bland County VA. The views from the top of the tower encompasses mountain peaks in 5 different states. The tower is located at a mountain pass used by Molly Tynes, a woman who warned the town of Wytheville of impending raids by John Toland during the Civil War. Toland was intending to destroy the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad tracks and bridges. Because of Tynes’ warning, the Confederates were able to kill Toland and minimize the damage.
Views from atop the tower. The day I took these there was a storm rolling in that can be seen in the pictures. The clearer pictures are looking towards West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Jeff and I did a night out at the Wythe Raceway – a dirt track in Wytheville VA. The last picture shows the fog moving in as they were getting ready to race.
One afternoon we took a ride to Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. The ride over and back was a lot of fun as we climbed and descended the mountains. The 3500 handled the step inclines and snaking roads beautifully! Blackwater Falls is located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County WV. The falls themselves are 62 feet high. The park has some interesting trees and rock formations as well as the falls.
We spent a number of days touring the different places in Lexington VA. We took a ghost tour which I highly recommend for anyone visiting the town. I did see Stonewall Jackson’s head move and disappear. We were not able to eat at the Red Hen – apparently it closed down after the recent events. Below is my absolute favorite plaque.
We toured Stonewall Jackson’s house. Where we learned that when he was reviewing his lessons for his students at VMI, he would face the wall and give his lesson. After that he would close the curtains (being protestant he did not want anyone to know what he was doing) and dance the polka as his evening exercise while his wife played the piano. There were many original items in his home saved by his descendants and on display in the home.
We visited Stonewall Jackson Cemetery both during the day and as part of our ghost tour. People leave lemons by Stonewall’s grave as it was said he sucked on lemons throughout the day.
We toured Washington and Lee University where Robert E Lee became president. Lee supported reconciliation between the North and South. He helped to expand the curriculum and recruited students from a reunited nation – both North and South. He added journalism, engineering, and law curriculums which had always been thought to be technical crafts not intellectual endeavors. Lee attended the Grace Episcopal Church and lived and died in the Presidents house which was built for him. He is buried on the grounds of the college in the Lee Chapel along with his family and Sorrel (his horse).
While in Lexington, we also visited Virginia Military Academy. I was quite impressed not only with the school but also with the respect shown by all the cadets there. I know, I am probably getting old – but it is very nice to be treated with respect by everyone around you. Below are a few pictures from the grounds.
Throughout Virginia we stayed at three different campgrounds. The first was indeed our most rustic with the 5 am call of the rooster and his hens who liked to hang around our campground. Even going so far as to drink from the dog’s bowl!
The second one we stayed at was on such a hill that we had to put boards under our jacks because we could not level it otherwise.
The final one we stayed at was roomy. We even had some wildlife that just looked as we walked by with the dogs.
Next, we are onto North Carolina where we spent a few weeks in Statesville.
Fran and Jeff’s Retirement Adventures 