Road Trippin

If it weren't for the open roads, we would miss so many beautiful moments in life. Our fabulous summer drive had taken us as far north as Seneca Lake (be sure to check out my previous posts "North To Go South", "Rolling Through Ole Virginny" and "Return To The Finger Lakes") and now we were headed south towards home. 

We revisited the state of Virginia along our drive. In the town of Front Royal, we hopped onto the Skyline Drive and trekked south through the Shenandoah National Park...gorgeous!

  

Then we made a stop in the town of Lexington, Virginia and enjoyed a step back in American history. This was the home of Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson who was best known for his leadership of Confederate troops during the American Civil War. He was a country boy from (West) Virginia who became a graduate of the United States Military Academy and a hero of the Mexican War. In 1851, Major Jackson came to Lexington to teach at the Virginia Military Institute (or V.M.I.). At the outbreak of war, Jackson left Lexington in April, 1861 and never returned alive.

Below was a garden similar to the one maintained during the time Jackson lived at the  home. Notice the potato hanging from a string with feathers stuck into it? That was an earlier version of a scarecrow. A small sapling would have been used because of it's flexibility. The potato gives it weight so that it would swing in the wind. Finally, the feathers which either caught the wind or confused the birds into thinking a strange predator was about.

  

In a town full of historic sights, someone had a good sense of humor.

R.E. Lee Memorial Church was built in 1840.

  

The stately white columns that adorn the campus buildings at Washington and Lee University make a magnificent picture. Founded in 1749, it encompasses 430 acres. It was named after George Washington, who gave a generous endowment to the school and Robert E. Lee who was one of the college's presidents following the Civil War. Notable alumni of this university include Meriweather Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, a former U.S. Senator John Warner and journalist Tom Wolfe. Here's a tidbit of trivia: a historic tradition takes place here every four years known as the Washington and Lee Mock Convention. It has correctly predicted the presidential nominees of the party that is currently out of the White House 19 out of 25 attempts since 1908. It gets C-SPAN coverage so look for it in the next U.S. presidential election.

  

A National Historic Landmark, Lee Chapel is located on the campus of the Washington and Lee University. The ivy covering this beautiful Victorian design brick front is so perfectly pruned that it looks fake. The chapel was constructed during 1867-68 at the request of Robert E. Lee, who was President of the University at the time. Lee died in 1870 and his body is buried beneath the chapel where it remains today. His favorite horse named Traveller is also buried here, although that grave lies outside on the lawn of the chapel.

  

Welcome to the V.M.I. (Virginia Military Institute), another National Historic Landmark. It was the nation's first state-sponsored military college and founded in 1839 on a concept of a citizen-soldier. Famous alumni were George C. Marshall, a 1901 graduate and Nobel Peace Prize winner and Admiral Richard Byrd, a graduate in 1908 and Medal Of Honor recipient for his exploration of the North and South poles. We walked around the spacious grounds and watched as members of the freshman class (called "Plebs") were practicing their marching skills and receiving training. 

      

A museum on campus showed a history of uniforms, replicas of dorm rooms for today's cadets, the stuffed war horse of General Jackson named "Little Sorrel" and finally the actual coat Jackson wore when he was mortally wounded (bullet hole in the sleeve).  

  

Isn't this tree cool!!!! I thought it looked like an eye and puckered lips ready to blow a kiss...do you see it? 

 

What better way to finish our fantabulous road trip than to visit another very good friend along the way home. Karen and her husband Mike have a gorgeous log home in North Carolina. We sat on their beautiful back porch overlooking the valley below and enjoyed each other's company and the crisp, cool weather. Thank you Karen and Mike for the wonderful lunch and your warm, welcoming hospitality, always. 

  

Home again...but not for long. Stay tuned for more adventure coming very soon.