Amish Country

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Several people have said that we should go see Lancaster, so that was our plan for today. We don’t know much about it but we usually head for the visitor center first wherever we go. But when we got there we find a big “closed” sign on that door.

There was another couple there, tourists from Iowa, here to explore the city too. They were here to find Central Market, which we found very near the visitor center. A bronze plaque says this is the oldest publicly owned, continually operated market in the United States, a Lancaster tradition since 1730.  In 1972 the U.S. Dept. of the Interior declared the Central Market a National Shrine.

Unfortunately, this was closed today, too, so we could not see it. We walked around a few blocks, took a few pictures, and decided we would move on to the next town. Hopefully we will plan our visit better next time.

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Central Market

At the center of a crossroads in the middle of Historic Downtown Lancaster is a tall monument, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Erected in 1874 to honor the people of Lancaster County who died to save the Union during the Civil War. Bronze plaques have since been added to the base of the monument to honor those from all the other wars including WWI, WWII, Vietnam, the Korean War, etc.

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Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Lancaster, PA

A few miles down the road is a nice little Amish community of Bird in Hand. We stopped for a light lunch at a restaurant there. Next to the restaurant we see an Amish buggy with a sign “buggy rides”. Looked like a plan to me!

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Amish Carriage Ride

It was not a long ride, just around a country  block, but it was pretty neat. The horse’s name is Millie.

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Amish Buggy Ride

The Bird in Hand Farmer’s Market is across the street, so how can we pass that up?

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Bird in Hand Farmer’s Market

Inside was full of stands with produce, fresh meat products, wonderful bakery items, canned good, jams, jellies, sauces and dips.

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Bird in Hand Farmer’s Market

The rain and some wind came along again so we headed for home. Have to drive carefully around here, watch out for the buggys. They have lights!

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Watch for the Buggy

  • Carriage Ride $24
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Hershey & Amish

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

It rained all night last night and was still gloomy this morning, but we didn’t let that stop us from going out. Hershey is only about 10 miles from us so even though we have been there twice before we went for another visit.

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Hershey’s

Anyone who loves chocolate would enjoy Hershey’s Chocolate World, but I think the children would appreciate it the most. They have made some changes since the last time we were here, and are still constructing inside. It’s not all free. And Bernie and I can be the tightwads so we just went for the free “tour.”

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Chocolate World

The tour isn’t a real tour, more like a Disney World attraction. We were seated in some chocolate drop shaped cars and were taken around animated musical displays that explained the chocolate making process.

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Hershey’s Chocolate World

After the ride we exit through the gift shop (naturally). All things Hershey are here along with a good sized food court. We were invited to partake in a product survey. We were escorted into a little room where we were given a sample of some red licorice pieces, and answered questions on an iPad. They gave us each a free Hershey bar as a thank you.

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Yummy

This is Amish Country. We heard about an amazing smorgasbord place so just had to check it out. It’s called the Shady Maple Smorgasbord, and it really was a good one. Next to that was a huge gift shop, and supermarket, and some more shopping, all owned and run by the Amish people here.

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We’re in Amish Country Now

There are parking areas for the horses.

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Even a covered parking area to provide shade and shelter from the rain.

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When we returned to the RV, which is parked in a casino parking lot, it was raining again and there were storm warnings and tornado warning sirens were sounding, so we went into the casino to hang out in there for a while. I hope it all goes away so I can sleep tonight.

Posted in April, Daily Post, Pennsylvania | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The PA Capitol

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Hmm..what to do on a Sunday?

Harrisburg is Pennsylvania’s state capital and it’s only about 15 miles from here so we went to have a look at it. This is the best time to drive downtown in any city because there is no traffic and the street parking is available and free.

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Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg

The next tour of the capitol building was just beginning as we arrived. There was a busload of people there for the tour and we just tagged along with them.

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PA State Capitol Building

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PA State Supreme Court

The House Chamber

The House Chamber

When President Theodore Roosevelt attended the dedication of the building on October 4, 1906, he said, “This is the handsomest building I ever saw.”  It is impressive, that’s for sure.

As we exited the building we came out to a podium with a microphone. I tried to get the town’s attention but nobody listened. Oh well, it was a nice view down State Street to the Susquehanna River.

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View from PA Capitol Building down State Street

After that we found a place to have lunch and drove around the downtown a bit before going home.

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:  free
  • Admission:  free
Posted in April, Daily Post, Pennsylvania | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Moving On

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

In the last few days we did the Gettysburg Battlefield Museum, the Guided Bus Tour, drove part of the self-guided auto tour, saw the cyclorama and a diorama of the battle, that’s about enough. We’ll save the ghost tours, the grave-digger tours, walking tours, horseback tours, historic house tours, Segway tours, antique & Civil War artifact shops, and several museums for another time.

The last couple of days we just hung out and did some shopping. A drive to the Amish Markets at Hanover, PA, was interesting and fun.

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Amish Markets at Hannover

Also in Hanover is the Utz Potato Chip factory. We were hoping to get in on the free tour they offer and were disappointed to learn that they don’t do it on Fridays. But we did stop in at the Utz Factory Outlet Store and picked up a few items.

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Utz Factory Outlet Store

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Utz Factory Outlet Store

And then back to Gettysburg for some shopping at the Outlet Shoppes there.

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The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg

This morning we checked out of the RV park at Gettysburg and drove to Grantville, PA, only 55 miles northeast. We can stay overnight at the Hollywood Casino and Race Track for free for a couple of days.

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Hollywood Casino and Race Track

I have never been to a race track before so we spent some time checking this out. It was not very crowded so it was easy to see everything. It was a new experience, loved it.

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Hollywood Casino and Race Track at Grantville, PA

We only stayed for two of the eight races scheduled for tonight and did not do any betting. It was interesting, seeing several people studying the race program books and papers with all the statistics and deciding which horse to bet on. I wonder how they made out.

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My First Horse Race

Bernie and I are rather tight with our money and resisted doing any betting tonight, but I can see how this would be a great Saturday date night….gambling in the casino, betting on the horses, having dinner at one of the restaurants, drinking and listening to the live entertainment, maybe a little a little more time at the slot machines. We could easily blow through a thousand dollars or more….maybe tomorrow.

  • Lodging:  free
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Gettysburg, Day 2

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Since the sun was out this morning we went out early for some picture-taking before the clouds returned. We returned to the Gettysburg Battlefield to get a shot of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial. It is built of Alabama limestone and Maine granite topped by a natural gas torch to be lit eternally to symbolize the unity of the United States.

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Eternal Light Peace Memorial at Gettysburg Battle Field

PEACE ETERNAL IN A NATION UNITED

PEACE ETERNAL IN A NATION UNITED

On November 18, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln arrived by train at this depot for the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery where he delivered the Gettysburg Address.

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Gettysburg Train Station

Gettysburg is a small town, population over 7,500 people and it draws in thousands of tourists every year. We drove around Historic Downtown Gettysburg to have a look at some of the old buildings.

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Gettysburg, PA

Some of the Historic Downtown Gettysburg now holds restaurants, gift and souvenir shops, as well as museums and tour companies.

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Gettysburg, PA

A few miles southwest of town is the most historic covered bridge in Pennsylvania..the Sachs Bridge. Both the Confederate Army and the Union Army soldiers crossed this bridge during the battle of Gettysburg in 1863.  A 1996 flood washed it down stream but workers were able to salvage most of it and put it back where it was.

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Sachs Bridge

When we first arrived at the bridge a man was fishing down by some rocks by the water, he came back up and told us there was a Copperhead snake down there and that we should stay away.

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Copperhead Snake Sunning Itself on a Rock

Stopping for lunch at a roadside cafe we see Hog Maw on the Specials board. This is something I have never heard of, so I’m game, bring it on. I do like to eat the local flavors when we are traveling… I had Maryland crabcakes and can’t wait to get some Maine lobster! But Hog Maw?

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Hog Maw?

Hog Maw is the lining of the stomach of a pig. This is a Pennsylvania Dutch dish. It’s just stuffed with potatoes and pork sausage and is rather tasty. I enjoyed it. I did not eat the stomach lining part…. eew.

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Hog Maw

Back at Gettysburg we went to see the largest diorama in the United States, the Gettysburg Diorama. This included a 30 minute light and sound show and explained just how the battle progressed…all in thousands of tiny little soldiers.

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Gettysburg Diorama

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Gettysburg Diorama

A stop at Gettysburg would not be complete without a visit to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. This is where thousands of United States servicemen are buried, and nearly half of the 3,580 Union soldiers killed in the Civil War that are buried here are unidentified.

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Unidentified Civil War Servicemen

The site where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863, is now marked by the Soldiers’ National Monument. Four marble statues around the base represent History, War, Peace, and Plenty. The figure at the top is the Genius of Liberty holding a sword in one hand and the wreath of peace in the other hand and representing the constant struggle for freedom.

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Soldiers’ National Monument, Gettysburg

The Civil War servicemen are grouped by state. We found the Minnesota section, many of the soldiers have been identified.

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Minnesota Civil War Servicemen

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Gettysburg Address

  • Gasoline:  $36 @ $2.55
  • Admission to Diorama:  Our RV park gave us free tickets to this.
  • Everything else we saw today was free.
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Gettysburg, PA

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

It rained all day yesterday so we just stayed in. But today was better so north we go! We have crossed the Mason-Dixon line into Pennsylvania and are no longer in the south.

Welcome to Pennsylvania

Welcome to Pennsylvania

Gettysburg and it’s famous Civil War Battlefield is just across the Virginia/Pennsylvania state line. We checked our Passport America directory to help us decide which campground to stay at and decided on Artillery Ridge Campground. We paid for three nights.

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Artillery Ridge Campground

The Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center is very close to our campground, so that was our first stop for our outing today.

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Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center

The visitor center is huge, with two movie theaters, a fabulous museum, restaurant and gift shop.

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Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center

Lincoln greets you outside.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

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The Gettysburg Address

After watching a movie about the Battle of Gettysburg we are escorted to an escalator that took us up to the cyclorama, a circular platform which was surrounded 360 degrees by a very large painting, The Battle of Gettysburg, by Paul Philippoteaux. Lighting effects highlighted areas as a narrator described the battle all around us.

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Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama

We took the two-hour Gettysburg Battlefield Tour bus guided tour. Our guide knew everything about the battle, pointed out where certain events happened and answered everyone’s questions.

Three days in July, 1863. This was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. Over 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing.

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Gettysburg Battlefield Tours

The battlefield is covered with monuments and memorials. Estimates are there are around 1,500 here. The bus only made a few stops at the more significant ones. If the sun is out tomorrow we may drive the route through the battlefield with our car for a more detailed look.

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The Virginia Memorial

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The Gettysburg Battlefield

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The Gettysburg Battlefield

Sacrifice of the 1st Minnesota

The Pennsylvania Memorial

We spotted a Minnesota Memorial. 262 Minnesotans died here.

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Minnesota at the Battle of Gettysburg

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1st Minnesota Infantry

After the bus tour we returned to the visitor center to go through the fabulous museum until closing. Everything anyone wants to know about what happened here, the events leading up to it, and what happened after, it’s all here. There are more videos, explanations, and artifacts to see here.

Flags were flying at half mast because President Lincoln was killed on this day 150 years ago.

  • Lodging:  $110 (2 nights 50% PA discount and 1 night 10% Good Sam Discount)
  • Admission & Tour:  $72
Posted in April, Daily Post, Pennsylvania | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Great Falls Park

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Great Falls, part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Potomac River is about 20 minutes west of where we are camped at Greenbelt Park, MD. Maryland is on the eastern side of the river and Virginia on the west. We went to the Virginia side to get some good pictures.

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Great Falls on the Potomac River in Virginia

George Washington presided over construction of a series of canals to make the river navigable in 1785 to stimulate trade between the East and the Ohio Valley. Remains of the canal can be seen throughout the park.

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Patowmack Canal

While the canal was in use a small community named Matildaville flourished. Remnants of that can be seen along a trail.

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Matildaville Remnants

Carriage Trail at Great Valls, Virginia

Carriage Trail at Great Falls, Virginia

The park has several hiking trails, we walked along the falls and the canal and through the remnants of Matildaville before going home. It was getting hot, about 80 degrees and sunny. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, then it will cool off.

  • Admission:  free with National Senior Pass
  • Lodging:  $8 at Greenbelt Park (50% off with National Senior Pass)
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What a Beautiful Day!

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

It’s Parade Day today and the sun is out! So back we go for another look at DC. It’s a good thing that where we get on the Metro train is at the end of the line. This means we are the first ones on and get to sit down. More and more people packed the trains at each stop as we get closer to the festivities.

We walked through the staging which was on the National Mall in front of the Capitol Building and saw some of what will be in the parade.

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Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

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Cherry Blossom Festival

We enjoyed the parade when we were here last year so this time we thought we would go see the cherry trees while everyone else was at the parade. Our walk took us past the back yard garden of the Smithsonian Castle. Here they had Magnolia trees in full bloom. Amazing!

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Smithsonian Castle

The Magnolia blossoms were beginning to fall, but still gorgeous.

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Magnolia

All those hundreds of buses we saw yesterday, and all the cars, are GONE! Cool. Many of the streets around the Washington Monument and the Tidal Basin have been closed to traffic. Now some of the streets are filled with food trucks.

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Food Trucks

I’m loving this sunshine today! It just makes all the pictures so much better. Sorry if I’m overdoing it here with the pictures, I did get carried away.

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There were SO MANY people! Way more than yesterday.

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  • Free Parking
  • Train Fare:  $20
Posted in April, Daily Post, Washington DC | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

DC Cherry Blossoms

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

All day today was a cool dreary day. We never did see the sun.

This morning we grabbed our jackets and drove to the nearby train station and took the Green Line to Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms. I wanted to see Union Station again so that was our first stop.

Union Station, Washington DC

Washington DC’s Union Station

Most of the cherry trees are around the Washington Monument and the Tidal Basin by the Jefferson Monument. My iPhone camera just can’t capture how wonderful the blossoms looked in spite of the gloomy sunless weather. Today was the day the blossoms reached their peak bloom. Tomorrow is supposed to be a sunny day, hopefully we can get back there for some better pics.

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Washington Monument

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Jefferson Monument

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Washington DC Cherry Blossoms

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Washington Monument

The nation’s capitol building is currently undergoing some renovations and the dome is covered with scaffolding.

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United States Capitol Building

This is our fourth time visiting DC. The other times we have been here have been great experiences, we have visited all of the museums and monuments without any problems. That’s good because today was insanely crowded. I’ve never seen so many buses in one place as I saw today. Part of the problem is that besides the Cherry Blossom Festival drawing people in, it is also spring break. There were long lines at all of the museums. I don’t like long lines and crowds.

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Long line of people waiting to enter the National Air and Space Museum

Buses and Crowds

Buses and Crowds

As we were walking by the United States Botanical Garden there was no line, so we went in there. They usually have a good display. This time they had a special display all about roots.

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Roots

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United State Botanical Garden

  • Train Fare and Parking:  $25
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Jamestown and Yorktown

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

This morning we went to visit Jamestown National Historic Site, the location of the first permanent English settlement in America in 1607. The first thing we see when we get there is the Tercentenary monument that was erected in 1907 to commemorate the town’s 300th anniversary.

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Jamestown Tercentenary Monument

This is an active archaeological site, and in the process of being reconstructed to its original condition.

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Jamestown Archaeological Site

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Jamestown Archaeology Site

All that had remained was part of a church. This has been rebuilt, and they kept glass panels on the floor so you can see the original footings underneath.

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There are statues of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith.

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Pocahontas

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Captain John Smith

A new Archaearium includes the artifacts that have been found during the excavations and tells the story of what happened to the settlement.

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Archaearium at Jamestown National Historic Site

When we finished there we drove 20 miles over to Yorktown, 174 years later.

October 19, 1781, the Siege of Yorktown.  After an historic battle here the British troops led by General Cornwallis surrendered to American and French forces under the command of General George Washington, essentially putting an end to the Revolutionary War.

A park ranger took us on a tour and explained how the battle went.

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Park Ranger Talk

Revolutionary War Cannons

Revolutionary War Cannons

Yorktown Victory Monument

Yorktown Victory Monument

A driving tour leads us through the actual battlefields where we could get a close-up look at the trenches.

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Some of the British Cannons Confiscated at Surrender

Some of the British Cannons Confiscated at Surrender

  • Gasoline:  $30 @ $2.33
  • Admission:  free with Bernie’s National Senior Pass
Posted in April, Daily Post, Virginia | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Colonial Williamsburg

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum and the restored 18th-century capital of Virginia during the Revolutionary War period.  The historic area includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780. Tour guides and shop owners wear period costumes and stay in character.

Our first stop was to visit was to the Capitol building. Tours are included in the price of admission and run about every 15 minutes.

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Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building

The old town’s buildings are taverns, unique shops, and restaurants.

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Raleigh Tavern

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Touring the Town

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We also toured the Governor’s Palace.

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Governor’s Palace

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Governor’s Palace

Behind the Governor’s Palace is a cool hedge-maze. Hmm..reminds me of The Shining.

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Hedge Maze Behind the Governor’s Palace

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Finding our Way Out

Back in the town Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists are searching for evidence of how the entrance to a particular tavern changed in the years before and after the Revolution.

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Colonial Williamsburg Archaeologists at Work

A drummer marches down the street towards the Capitol building and the town’s folk follow.

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Drummers Leading the People to the Capitol

The crowd gathers in front of the Capitol building for a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

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Although this is on the National Register of Historic Places is it not part of the state or national park system but is run by a private non-for-profit educational institution.

Posted in April, Daily Post, Virginia | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Move to Williamsburg

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

We left the Americamps RV park in Richmond this morning and drove about 50 miles east to Williamsburg Campark. At Richmond the RV park was filled nearly to capacity because of the Easter weekend and Spring Break all this week. We expected the same at Williamsburg too. But to our surprise we are the only ones here! Our plans are to visit Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Youngstown tomorrow and Wednesday.

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Williamsburg Campark

We’re still seeing some beautiful blossoms. Not sure if these are cherry or apple.

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Flowering Trees

My niece lives an hour further east of here, in Norfolk, so we went to say hi. We enjoyed a nice dinner with them and then a brief walk on the beach. We saw the Pacific Ocean back in October and now here is the Atlantic Ocean. Cool.

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Lyndsey and Brett with Bernie and Me at Virginia Beach

In spite of the nice sunny day it was cold and windy on the beach; not many people about. We only stayed long enough to get the picture and got outta there!

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Vacation Housing

  • Gasoline:  $95 @ $2.15
  • Lodging:   $74.89 (Passport America 50% rate for 3 nights)
Posted in April, Daily Post, Virginia | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Easter on Parade in Richmond VA

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Monument Avenue in Richmond is a busy multi-lane street with a center median. Today the city blocked traffic for four blocks for the Easter on Parade festivities. This is not a parade in the traditional sense. There are no marching bands and parade floats. Rather the people take this opportunity to stroll up one side of the street and down the other side, showing off their Easter bonnets and their dogs. Music, children’s activities, food vendors, and more fill the center median. There is live music and entertainment on every block. It was a good time. Over 25,000 people attend this event, and many of them with their dogs. It was great, there were a lot of dogs, and I didn’t see a single pile of “evidence” the whole time we were there.

It was a perfect day for it! Love that blue sky and sunshine. Here’s a slide show of our people and pet watching today:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Posted in April, Daily Post, Virginia | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Walk in the Park

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

The weather today is much nicer than it was yesterday. It’s sunny, blue skies, and about 60 degrees, slight breeze. We walked the canal walk and along the river until we came to this pedestrian bridge that is suspended from the Robert E Lee bridge on Highway 301. It goes across the river over to the popular Belle Island with its wooded hiking trails and rocks to climb around on.

Belle Isle Suspension Bridge, Richmond, VA

Belle Isle Suspension Bridge, Richmond, VA

Belle Isle Suspension Bridge in Richmond VA

Belle Isle Suspension Bridge in Richmond VA

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Belle Isle Suspension Bridge

Here’s a view of the James River from the bridge.

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James River

We returned to the Tredegar museum and went inside. It’s a free museum with lots of photos of Richmond before and after the Civil War. The old building used to be a flour mill, then a woolen mill, before it transitioned to iron works for the Army and the railroad.

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We drove around town a bit more and found ourselves at Byrd Park. What a lovely day to be out in the park, and it’s a beautiful park.

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Byrd Park

We saw one family out flying a kite. A perfect day for kites!

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After a mid-afternoon snack at a local restaurant we went home and just relaxed the rest of the day.

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Sculptures, Statues, and Monuments

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

We moved to Americamps RV Park just north of Richmond, Virginia. We checked in early because weather reports indicated it could rain and we wanted to avoid having to get set up in the rain. The park was booked up because of all the snowbirds returning north as well as Easter weekend and Spring Break time, but they did manage to squeeze us in to a small spot. We paid for the next three nights.

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Americamps RV Park

Then we went to the Richmond Visitor Center to get information on the area. The first street was saw when leaving the visitor center, Clay Street, was loaded with cherry blossoms.

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Richmond Blossoms

The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson, has been here since 1788. We got there just as the next tour was about to begin so we joined them for a very informative and interesting tour.

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Virginia State Capitol, Richmond

If you like history, in particular the Revolutionary War and the Civil war, this is the place to visit. It’s loaded with history here. Our tour guide did a great job covering many of the events that shaped this nation.

Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Robert E. Lee
Virginia Senate Chambers
George Washington Equestrian Monument

When we left the capitol building we went down to the canal/river walk and explored that. There are more blooms here, beautiful.

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Cherry Blossoms at Richmond VA

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Canal on James River at Richmond, Virginia

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Art on the Canal Walk

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Art on the Canal Walk, Richmond, VA

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James River, Richmond, VA

Also down by the river are the remains of the Tredegar Iron Works, the Confederacy’s only major iron works, now a National Historic Landmark, part of the National Park Service. The American Civil War Center is here too.

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  Tredegar Iron Works and Civil War Museum

I can see now that we would have to spend weeks here to really see all the monuments and historic sites and the battlefields. But we’re just here for a few days. Gotta save some for our next visit.

We did take a drive down Monument Street, the only street in America listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every few blocks there is a monument to a Virginia native.

J.E.B Stuart Monument
Robert E. Lee Monument
Jefferson Davis Monument
Stonewall Jackson Monument
Matthew Fontaine Maury Monument
Arthur Ashe, Jr. Monument

Monument Avenue has some awesome architecture and beautiful trees.

Richmond, VA

Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA

Monument Avenue

Monument Avenue

The day warmed up to 80 degrees, looked like it was going to rain, but we did not get wet.

  • Lodging:  $122.36 for three nights. (10% Good Sam discount)
  • Admission & fees:  free
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Natural Bridge

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

We are on our way to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, but before we get there we stop to see one of the oldest tourist destinations in this country, Virginia’s Natural Bridge, a National Historic Landmark.

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Entrance to the Natural Bridge Site

There are a LOT of steps leading down to the bridge area. A shuttle is available at the bottom for the return trip.

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Steps Down to Visit Natural Bridge

Midway down the steps is a scenic point.

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At Virginia’s Natural Bridge

Very soon after reaching the trail below we can see the arch. It is 200 feet high, and the highway we drove on to get here runs across the top of it. See how small the people on the trail look. At night they shine colored lights on the bridge, play symphonic music, and a voice from above recites Biblical verses about the creation of the world. There are rows of benches for everyone to sit on to watch this.

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Virginia’s Natural Bridge

There is a legend that young George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge in 1750 and that he carved his initials on the wall of the bridge. The initials GW are inside the white framed box on the wall.

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George Washington’s Initials in the Box

Beyond the bridge is a nature trail that goes along a stream. We walked it to the end.

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Nature Trail

Midway on the trail is a 1699 Monacan Living History Exhibit.

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Monacan Living History Exhibit, circa 1699

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Wigwam

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Indian Hut

Lost River. Several attempts have been made to determine the source of the water flowing from this hillside hole, but so far no luck.

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Lost River

At the end of the nature trail is Lace Waterfall. We enjoyed the view and walked back to Natural Bridge.

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Falls at the End of Nature Trail at Virginia’s Natural Bridge

We are in Richmond, Virginia, tonight.

  • Gasoline: $49 @ $2.05
  • Admission to Natural Bridge:  $40
Posted in April, Daily Post, Virginia | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Bristol, TN & VA

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

After driving 220 miles today we have decided to stop for the night at an RV park near Bristol, Tennessee. This is an interesting town, it straddles the border of Tennessee and Virginia.

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Bristol TN & VA

An appropriately named State Street divides the town.

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State Street, Bristol TN/VA

Tennessee on the south side and Virginia on the north side.

Bristol TN & VA

Bristol TN/VA

We drove around a bit and walked up and down a few streets. A sign tells of how the first recordings were made that launched the country music industry in 1927.  And that in 1998 the United States Congress recognized Bristol as the “Birthplace of Country Music.”

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There is a big “Birthplace of Country Music Museum” in town, but it was closed by the time we got there so we did not get inside. It is a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum and just opened last year.

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Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, VA

We are staying at Shadrack Campground just south of Bristol. It is a nice clean campground with large perfectly level sites. It’s close to the Bristol Motor Speedway, a popular NASCAR short track. The campground is almost empty right now.

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Shadrack Campground, Bristol, TN

  • Gasoline:  $109 @ $2.05
  • Lodging:  $16.56   (Passport America 50% discount)
Posted in March, Tennessee, Virginia | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Off the Trace

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

We have left the Natchez Trace. Since this is our third trek up the Trace we were OK with turning off and moving east. Last year we went all the way to Nashville, you can read about our Natchez Trace Parkway trip from this point up by clicking HERE.

Our (almost) daily diary post is brief today. This day was just a travel day, no adventures, not many photo opportunities. We drove all the way through Alabama. We’ve been seeing a lot of some pretty purple blossoms in the trees.

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Driving Through Alabama

When we crossed the Georgia state line, we also crossed into the Eastern Time Zone.

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Georgia State Line

And then about 20 minutes later we enter the state of Tennessee since the road we were driving on just nicked the northwest corner of Georgia.

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Tennessee State Line

We’ll be spending the night at a Walmart near Chattanooga, TN, tonight. We’ll decide tomorrow where we will go or what we will do next. A lot depends on the weather reports.

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For the Night

  • Gasoline:  $106 @ $2.08
Posted in Alabama, Daily Post, Georgia, March, Tennessee | Leave a comment

Natchez Trace Parkway

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a National Parkway maintained by the National Park Service. It is about 444 miles through three states, limited access, only cars and recreational vehicles are allowed, and the speed limit is 50 mph. It dates back many centuries, from animal trails, Indian paths, and settlers. In the early 1800’s men from the Ohio River Valley floated cash crops, livestock, and other materials down the Mississippi River on wooden flatboats to sell their goods at Natchez or New Orleans. Then they sold their boats for lumber, and walked or rode horseback home on the Old Trace. Famous men such as General Andrew Jackson, Meriwether Lewis, Jefferson Davis and Ulysses S. Grant have also traveled this path.

All along the route are historic points of interest, with parking areas and interpretive signs. This is our third trek up this route so we did not stop at every site this time, but I still managed to take a lot of pictures.

Last night we stayed at Rocky Springs Campground, one of a few free campgrounds right on the Trace. There was no Internet, cell phone, or TV signal. Tonight we are at Jeff Busby Campground at Mile Marker 193.  Only 251 more miles to go!

Here are just some of the pics I took yesterday and today:

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez State Park
Emerald Mound
Old Trace and New Trace
Wild Flowers
And Old Grave
Old Cemetery
Large Thistles!
Old Cemetery
walking path Mount Locust
Mount Locust Inn
Sunken Trace
Rocky Springs Methodist Church
Rocky Springs Historic Townsite
Rock Springs Historic Townsite
Cowles Mead Cemetery
Parking Area on the Trace
Cypress Swamp
Cypress Swamp
Trail Through Swamp
Cypress Swamp
French Camp
Posted in Daily Post | Tagged | 1 Comment

Natchez Under-the-Hill

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Marsha Brecht

Almost 200 years ago Natchez Under-the-Hill was known as the most notorious river landing on the Mississippi River. Gamblers, thugs, murderers, con-men, swindlers, prostitutes, and traders in every illegal substance known populated Natchez Under-the-Hill. It was a nasty place.

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Natchez Under-The-Hill

Now the restaurants and saloons bring in tourists.  Jerry Lee Lewis used to play his music here when he was very young.

Natchez Under-The-Hill

Natchez Under-The-Hill

We had lunch at the Magnolia Grill at Natchez Under-the-Hill, Bernie had the catfish which came with hush-puppies and some boiled greens, and I had a bowl of gumbo, which was delicious. Then we walked around the corner to have a look at the Isle of Capri, a stationary steamboat casino.

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Isle of Capri Casino, Natchez MS

We have moved the RV a few miles up the road to the Natchez State Park for tonight. Tomorrow we will begin driving up the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Natchez State Park, Mississippi, #40

Natchez State Park, Mississippi, #40

  • Gasoline:  none
  • Lodging:   $14
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