It was a delightful 9-days in DC, perfectly located, close to the National Mall, and easy biking to the other neighborhoods and sites. AND, it had a dedicated parking spot for the RavRover !!
I headed down to Fredericksburg to see one of the Civil War battlefields. There are about four major sites in the area.
Fredericksburg was a major town in Virginia for about 130 years prior to the Civil War. Home to about 5,000, 25% of them slaves. Located about half-way between the two war-time capitols, Wash.DC and Richmond. It had three major bridges across the Rappahannock River, two of which where for trains.
I walked up to the vast cemetery and it took awhile to compose myself. So many lives put at risk due to the stupidity of a few. I'm sure many battles over the millennium happened this way. Why?
No more battlefields for me.
Maybe, because .. my visit to the Holocaust Museum was still fresh ..
Maybe, because .. I'm still grieving and trying to understand why ..
Maybe, because .. it was Easter -and- only one of the dead .. has risen ..
I drove around the historic part of downtown Fredericksburg and tried to get my mental and physical bearings. The gorgeous sky and 65-deg. weather, as it almost always is for Easter helped. Deep breaths and a look at the map helped me decide to take a Sunday drive on Virginia Highway 17. Best decision of the day. A trademark 'Joe picks a small road and it proved to be historic and very enjoyable' selection. It was just what I needed. AND! .. there were LOTS of historical roadside signs along the way. Don't worry .. I won't show them ALL!
look at that sky !
Hwy.17 skirted the army base Fort AP Hill. It was huge in land area. It hosted several Boy Scout National Jamborees. I enjoyed driving through several small towns ; New Post, Port Royal, Tappahannock, Center Cross, Church View, Gloucester, and several more.
interesting first name ..
At the Middlesex County Courthouse in Saluda found this interesting sign :
Really loved this travel day on Hwy.17. Ironically, this same road took me all the way to Weldon and Violy's neighborhood, past Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News, and Norfolk. Joe, you ask, you didn't stop at these historic towns ? Mary and I had already visited these on a previous visit.
Weldon and Violy welcomed me warmly. Dinner and reminiscing followed.
start odometer : 110332
4/21 odometer : 110535
day miles : 203
trip miles : 3626
I think you must have found some of the best airbnb hosts. Insightful thoughts on no more battlefields, Dad. Sending you a hug! 💛
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