Because the previous day was spent cruising down the scenic roads, hiking, and playing with nature, I didn't get very far along the Shenandoah Valley... :) So... I crashed at a little motel in Lexington. There, I learned that if you say you are a trucker you get the trucker rate (most motels have this) and it's better than any AAA, senior, or military rate! I would of course never do this as it would be dishonest...
I could spend weeks exploring the Shenandoah Valley (not to mention visit places like Jamestown), but with limited time and money, I only had one more day to spend in VA. I left about 7:30 AM and it was VERY foggy out!
My first stop was the Woodrow Wilson Museum, but when I got there, I found out it didn't open until 10 AM. This wouldn't work as I had to get through the entire route today, so I did something different. I went to the Frontier Culture Museum. It was actually pretty cool (and another 2 miles of walking).
First was the 1700's African farm. Slaves replaced white indentured servants, particularly for VA's tobacco crop, reaping huge profits. The Africans brought with them their skills in pottery, basket-making, food, and music, that stay with us today.
Second was a 1600's England farm. The English came to VA (Jamestown by the coast) in 1607, and VA was England's first North American colony!
The third stop was a 1700's forge. This is where blacksmiths made tools out of metals, such as iron.
Fourth was a 1700's Irish farm. The Irish protestants from Ulster came to America in the 1700's, using wood instead of their traditional stone, to make their small homes.
The next farm was the early German farm. The man in the picture below is playing an instrument called the Scheitholt.
The last stop at the Frontier Museum were a group of American farms and schoolhouses from the 1700's and early 1800's. The farmer is planting seeds, which reminds me. Happy Spring everyone!!! :)
After that museum, I went to the VA Museum of Civil War and New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. This is where the Battle of New Market was (see the field past the small farm homes). Burns and DuPont both received the Medal of Honor during this battle.
Here is the Hall of Valor Memorial, dedicated to those who fought in the battle, also known as the Field of Lost Shoes, because the field was so muddy that many of the young soldiers' shoes got stuck in the mud during the battle.
The next stop was to the Shenandoah Vineyards to tour the vineyard and do some wine tasting. During the tour, we went to the wine cellar and learned the process for making wine. We also learned the difference between red and white wine, and how to get different tastes in the wine. Pretty interesting stuff! :)
I then tasted 11 different types of wine. There was a description next to each that described the different flavors I should be able to taste. Some I could only get from the smell, but I had never tasted wine that way before. Also, they showed the impact wine had on food by having us taste a strong raspberry dessert wine (Raspberry Serenade) and then tasting it with chocolate. It was overpowering by itself, but tasted like raspberry flavored chocolate when eaten with the chocolate. In fact, you couldn't taste the wine at all that way!
At the end of the wine tasting, I bought 2 bottles unique to the Shenandoah Vineyard - the Shenandoah Blanc (popular blend with a fruity taste) and 2009 Founder's Reserve Chambourcin (medium-bodied, oak aged, elegant and complex red wine).
I then went to another plantation and battlefield, both both were closed as it is still considered "out of season" until April. :( So... I changed plans and went to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, thinking it was appropriate given my travel plans. :) "Shenandoah" is an Indian word that could have several meanings, including "Daughter of the Stars" or "place in the hills". Many of the pictures depict early life (clothes, folk art, homes, crafts) of those living in the Shenandoah Valley. The pig is in there for my lovely sister Lisa. :) The quotes below have nothing to do with the pictures under them, but I wanted to include them as they were touching and a good reminder that this was Civil War time.
One of the battles happened right outside of a home. This quote comes from those living there at the time who watched the battle unfold:
"We sat together in the dining room before the windows looking in the West; and it seemed so strange to sit quietly in a rocking chair and watch the progress of a battle..."
Here is another quote that I enjoyed from Peter Hartman:
"The captain came to him and asked him whether he shot. He said 'No. I didn't see anything to shoot at.' 'Why, didn't you see all those Yankees over there?' 'No, they're people. We don't shoot people.'"
Even though it wasn't in season and the flowers weren't in bloom, I still stopped by the neighboring gardens. The picture with 4 pillars was included since they were imported from Italy. :)
After that, I drove to West Virginia (which is the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley) and stopped in Charles Town. This town has a wealth of history! Charles Town was named after Charles Washington and was created 4 years before George Washington became president.
Of course I had to stop and have traditional MJ ice cream... :)
Here is the courthouse where John Brown was tried and found guilty of treason, conspiracy, and murder. This was Jefferson County's most famous trial.
And this is the area where John Brown and a few others were hung publicly after being found guilty.
This is the Zion Episcopal Church, where more than 70 of Washington's family members are buried!
I then went to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. This is in WV, MD, and VA! There were several battles that took place here, all won by the Confederates. Stonewall Jackson and troops won the battle at School House Ridge, John Walker and troops won the battle at Loudoun Heights, Lafayette McLaws and troops won the battle at Maryland Heights, and last but not least, after Jackson feigned an attack to distract the Federal Union, AP Hill and troops won the battle at Bolivar Heights, resulting in Union defeat.
Quote from a soldier: "The Rebels were all around us and our only refuge was the open canopy of heaven."
After reading about the battlefields (many of which are no longer open fields), I drove into the town of Harper's Ferry. Below are pictures from the old town. An interesting fact is that Harper's Ferry changed hands EIGHT times during the Civil War!!
The following are before and after photos of the town:
There was a small and large arsenal building (warehouses that held pistols, muskets, rifles...). John Brown was an abolitionist who attacked Harpers Ferry. His actions helped propel the nation into Civil War. When the fighting broke out in 1861, US troops burned both buildings to keep the weapons from falling into the hands of the Confederates.
The Appalachian trail passes through Harpers Ferry and continues along the Potomac River.
Jefferson Rock is at the top of the town, even above the church. Here are a few pictures of the rock and the view from the top.
At the bookstore on the way out, I purchased a book on the Civil War. I thought this was appropriate as much of this journey through the south has been an education on the different battles and perspectives of various sides - the Confederates, the slaves, the Union.
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