On Sunday June 7th, we RV caravanned from Greenwood VA to DC, actually we are staying at Cherry Hill Park in College Park MD. Along the travel route, the caravanners learned about a few battles along the way!The Skirmish at Rio Hill was an American Civil War engagement fought on February 29, 1864, in Albemarle County, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory. It was the only official military conflict to take place in this county during the war. Union Brigadier General George A. Custer led 1,500 cavalrymen in a diversionary raid aimed at destroying local infrastructure. However, a force of just 200 Confederate artillerymen successfully repelled the advance using clever deception tactics.
The Battle of Cedar Mountain, also known as Slaughter's Mountain, was fought on August 9, 1862, in Culpeper County, Virginia. It resulted in a Confederate victory led by Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. It also served as the opening engagement of the Northern Virginia Campaign. Major General John Pope moved his newly formed Army of Virginia south toward central Virginia. His main goal was to capture the crucial rail junction at Gordonsville and draw Confederate forces away from Richmond.
The Battle of Kelly's Ford was fought on March 17, 1863. It marked a major turning point in the American Civil War because it was the first large-scale, purely cavalry engagement in the Eastern Theater where Union horsemen successfully stood their ground against their legendary Confederate counterparts. During the winter of 1863, Confederate cavalry under Brigadier General Fitzhugh Lee (nephew of Robert E. Lee) harassed Union outposts along the Rappahannock River. Following a February raid, Fitzhugh Lee left a taunting note for Union Brigadier General William W. Averell—his close friend and classmate from West Point. The note told Averell to go home, bragging, "You ride a good horse, I ride a better one," but added, "return my visit, and bring me a sack of coffee." Furious, Averell secured permission from Major General Joseph Hooker to cross the river with 2,100 troopers to "rout or destroy" Lee's forces. Though Averell held a clear tactical advantage and had the opportunity to crush Lee's brigade, he lost his nerve. Fearing that the sound of distant trains meant Confederate reinforcements were arriving, Averell withdrew back across the Rappahannock that evening. Before leaving, he left a sack of coffee and a reply note for his old friend: "Here’s your coffee. Here’s your visit. How did you like it?"
The Battle of Brandy Station, fought on June 9, 1863, in Culpeper County, Virginia, was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement ever to take place on the North American continent. Serving as the opening clash of the Gettysburg Campaign, the battle involved over 20,000 soldiers, including roughly 17,000 horsemen. While the encounter ended in a tactical Confederate victory, it marked a vital psychological turning point, proving that the Union cavalry had finally grown into a force capable of matching its southern counterparts.
The Warrenton Junction Raid was a Civil War surprise attack executed on May 3, 1863, by Confederate guerrilla forces led by Major John S. Mosby against a Union cavalry detachment. Taking place in Fauquier County, Virginia, near a strategic railroad junction less than 10 miles from the town of Warrenton, the engagement began as a sweeping Confederate success but concluded with a dramatic Union counterattack and rescue. The raid resulted in high officer casualties for the Union but a severe loss of manpower for Mosby's guerrilla fighters.
The Battle of Buckland Mills, fought on October 19, 1863, was a significant Confederate cavalry victory during the American Civil War's Bristoe Campaign. Popularly known as the "Buckland Races", the engagement took place in Fauquier County, Virginia, and resulted in the complete rout of Union cavalry forces. Following a Confederate defeat at Bristoe Station, General Robert E. Lee began withdrawing his army back toward the Rappahannock River. Major General Jeb Stuart was tasked with screening the retreat along the Warrenton Turnpike. Union Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick’s cavalry division pursued them aggressively. Stuart devised a clever trap. He deliberately feigned a retreat westward past Buckland, luring the Union brigade under General Henry E. Davies into a headlong chase toward New Baltimore. Meanwhile, General George A. Custer’s Union brigade stayed behind at Buckland to guard the Broad Run bridge—the only line of retreat. Once Davies was separated and strung out, Confederate Major General Fitzhugh Lee’s division launched a surprise ambush on Custer's flank at Buckland. Hearing Lee's cannon fire, Stuart immediately turned his men around and launched a ferocious head-on assault against Davies. Caught in a pincer movement and low on ammunition, the Union forces panicked and fled. The Rebel horsemen chased the scattered Union troopers five miles back to Gainesville in an frantic retreat that resembled a steeplechase, earning the battle its famous nickname.
The Battle of Ox Hill was fought on September 1, 1862, in Fairfax County, Virginia, serving as the strategic conclusion to the Northern Virginia Campaign of the American Civil War. Triggered immediately following the massive Confederate victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), the engagement acted as a vital rearguard action that allowed the retreating Union Army to escape safely into the defenses of Washington, DC. The battle ended in a tactical stalemate, but resulted in a strategic Union victory. While the Confederates held the physical field at the end of the night, Jackson's primary objective—to intercept and destroy Pope's retreating army—was successfully thwarted. With the Union forces safely behind the fortifications of Washington, Confederate General Robert E. Lee abandoned his pursuit and turned his army north to launch the Maryland Campaign, which culminated in the Battle of Antietam.
We truly enjoy Cherry Hill Park! It is the closest RV park and campground to Washington, D.C., celebrated for being a multi-generational, family-owned business for over 100 years. In 1921 Jacob and Rose Gurevich founded a poultry farm and opened a small general store and gas station alongside Route 1. As travelers passed through, Rose allowed them to set up tents behind the general store, eventually building a bathhouse.
The business transitioned into Cherry Hill Trailer Park and later Cherry Hill Mobile Home Village, providing crucial temporary housing for returning GIs and young families. As the US highway system expanded and leisure travel boomed, the family rebranded the property as Cherry Hill Camp city to target tourists visiting Washington, DC. Norman and Joan Gurevich (the founders' grandson and his wife) envisioned a premium, top-tier RV destination. They relocated the operation one mile away to its current site on Cherry Hill Road to offer full utility hookups and premium amenities.
It is truly a family affair! All the staff treat every guest like family. We had a caravanner that had an issue with their rig and we were not sure if we would be able to get them into it late one night. The after hours maintenance man helped all he could and even secured a Yurt for them to stay in, just in case. The next morning our group coordinator called the couple to ensure they were all set. That is the highest level of customer service!
Our first event in DC was a private Twilight tour of DC. In the past, when Charlie and I have been here before, we have had a father or his son for our tour guides. This year, we have Maria for all three tours we will have in DC. She is a certified DC tour guide and can give tours in Italian or English, we decided on the English tour!
Our first stop was the US Capitol. It is the seat of the US Congress and serves as the epicenter of the legislative branch of the Federal Government. Located at the eastern end of the National Mall, this iconic neoclassical landmark houses both the House of Representatives (south wing) and the Senate (north wing) under its massive central dome. No flags flying, so they are not in session.
We saw tons of cool statues and buildings as we went.... if I describe them all, this blog will be twelve pages long, so enjoy the pictures!
Our second stop was the Jefferson Memorial. It is a world-famous neoclassical monument, built to honor our third president and primary author of the Declaration of Independence. The open-air marble structure sits on the south bank of the Tidal Basin, perfectly aligned with the White House. Designed by architect John Russell Pope, the building is modeled directly after the Roman Pantheon, reflecting Jefferson's personal architectural tastes which he also utilized at Monticello. We saw that when we visited there while we were in Greenwood VA. The exterior is surrounded by 54 massive white marble columns made from Vermont Imperial Danby marble. Underneath the 129-foot dome stands a 19-foot-tall bronze statue of Jefferson. He holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence and three things confirm Jefferson's love of the land and agriculture. These interest are represented by a stack of books, tobacco and stalks of corn.
With all the fencing and the street closures, Maria said, this is the best picture of the White House we will get. It is the south side with the "big claw" surrounding the White House. Fun facts!
Total Rooms: 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 vertical levels.
Layout Windows: 147 windows, 412 doors, and 28 fireplaces.
Exterior: Requires 570 gallons of white paint to cover.
The South Lawn: Used for official ceremonial arrivals and large public events.
Third stop was the MLK Jr Memorial Monument. It honors Dr. King's legacy of nonviolent social change and civil rights. symbolizes the journey through struggle to optimism, drawing inspiration from his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. It stands as the first major memorial on the National Mall dedicated to an African American and to a figure who was not a U.S. president.
The centerpiece statue of Dr. King is carved into a 30-foot stone, the Stone of Hope, that appears to have pushed forward and broken free from two massive boulders, the Mountain of Despair. This represents overcoming the harsh trials of oppression to reach a future of freedom. The boulder is inscribed with the line, "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope," which is the foundation for the memorial's theme of resilience. It is located between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, it visually completes a "line of leadership" on the National Mall, connecting King's non-violent fight for civil rights to the nation's founding ideals of freedom and equality.
Our fourth stop was the Korean War Memorial. This memorial uses a highly intentional layout, specific numbers, and architectural elements to symbolize the 38th parallel, the 38 months of the war, the harsh terrain, and the diversity and unity of the American forces. Every physical detail, from the number of statues to the landscaping, carries hidden symbolic weight to honor those who fought in what is often called the "Forgotten War."
There are 19 larger-than-life stainless steel statues sculpted in the "Field of Service." The platoon is drawn from four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: 14 Army soldiers, 3 Marines, 1 Navy Corpsman, and 1 Air Force Forward Air Observer. The 19 physical statues are mirrored in the polished black granite Mural Wall next to them. The 19 physical statues plus their 19 reflections visually create 38 soldiers, completing the symbolic nod to the 38th parallel. I could not capture that picture.
The 164-foot-long granite Mural Wall features over 2,500 sandblasted photographic faces of supporting troops (medical, supply, air, and sea personnel). Because the wall is highly polished, the reflections of the ground statues intermingle with the etched faces of the support forces, symbolizing the complete unity of all who served.
The quiet, circular pool encircled by a grove of trees that displays the staggering casualty counts (killed, wounded, missing, and POWs), offering a space for somber reflection facing away from the main components of the memorial.
Our fifth stop was the Lincoln Memorial. It is a National monument located on the western end of the National Mall, built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President.
The massive, 19-foot-tall marble statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Daniel Chester French. The historic site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963. A specific step is engraved to mark the exact spot. It was fenced off, so I could not get a picture of it.
We got a great view of the reflection pool and Washington's Monument. From the angle of the picture on the right, you can see the capitol too.
Our sixth stop was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is a deeply moving national monument, dedicated to honoring the U. service members who died or went missing during the Vietnam War. Designed by architect Maya Lin and opened on November 13, 1982, the striking V-shaped black granite wall is inscribed with more than 58,000 names arranged chronologically by the date of casualty, creating a powerful, reflective mirror for us.
The wall is V-shaped and dug into the earth. As visitors walk along it, they descend into the ground and then rise back up into the sunlight. This cut into the ground represents a "wound that is closed and healing," symbolizing the pain of the war and the nation's path toward recovery. Made of polished black granite, the wall is highly reflective. As visitors read the names, their own faces are reflected right alongside them.
A diamond indicates the service member was confirmed dead or presumed dead. A cross or plus sign indicates they were missing or a prisoner of war (POW) when the wall was built. (If a missing service member is later recovered, a smaller diamond is superimposed over the cross).
Our seventh stop was the National World War II Memorial is a moving tribute honoring the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces, the 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home.
Following an extensive modernization project, the memorial fully reopened in May 2026 with its magnificent fountains flowing around the clock. Arranged in an oval shape, these columns represent the unity of the 48 U.S. states, seven territories, and the District of Columbia during the war. Two Arches are standing 41 feet tall, one arch honors the Atlantic theater and the other honors the Pacific theater. A beautifully restored fountain centerpiece featuring central water jets and an surrounding plaza.
It sits prominently on the National Mall, situated directly between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. What a beautiful picture it makes!
Maria took us past Iwo Jima at night. We will talk more about it when we visit during the day!
On Monday June 8th, we took a private tour of one of the best kept secrets in DC, President Lincoln's Cottage.
It is located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (formerly the Soldiers' Home) in Northwest Washington, DC. Abraham Lincoln and his family lived in this 34-room Gothic Revival mansion for a quarter of his presidency during the summers of 1862, 1863, and 1864 to escape the heat and political pressures of the White House.
It serves as a pivotal historical landmark where Lincoln made critical Civil War decisions and drafted the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln formulated and wrote much of his first draft of this historic declaration while staying in his bedroom here during the summer of 1862.
The cottage provided Lincoln a unique vantage point during the Civil War. He frequently interacted with wounded soldiers from the nearby military hospital and self-emancipated men, women, and children fleeing slavery.
During the Battle of Fort Stevens in July 1864, the frontline of the war came so close to the property that the Lincoln family had to be hastily evacuated back to the security of the White House.
Lincoln was not the only commander-in-chief to use the grounds; Presidents James Buchanan, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Chester A. Arthur also used the Soldiers' Home as a seasonal retreat.
As they restored the home, they kept glimpses of the past visible. These are three separate rooms that contain some original wallpaper from different eras and owners.
The rest of the day was free time and people did various things, from seeing Smithsonian museums to visiting more memorials and monuments. "The girls" even hunted in the Rock Creek Cemetery and found the Clover Adams memorial. Who the heck is Clover Adams? I asked Cathy the same question. She learned about her in a book she read, 'Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life.' Her gravesite is marked by the famous Adams Memorial (unofficially known as "Grief"), a celebrated bronze sculpture designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and architect Stanford White. Her husband, Henry Adams, is also buried alongside her.
The Adams Memorial was born out of profound personal tragedy, shifting cultural attitudes toward death, and a unique fusion of Western and Eastern philosophies. In December 1885, Marian "Clover" Hooper Adams—a prominent Washington socialite and accomplished early photographer—died by suicide at age 42 by swallowing potassium cyanide. She had been suffering from severe depression following the death of her beloved father. Her husband, the famed historian and author Henry Adams, was entirely consumed by grief and guilt. The loss devastated him so deeply that he burned her personal letters, never spoke her name in public again, and completely omitted their 13-year marriage from his famous autobiography, The Education of Henry Adams.
Stay tuned for more Two Lane Adventures!
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