Florida to New York - 2016 - Day Four - SC to VA

This morning we departed Fort Chiswell RV Park. It is the perfect overnight stop. We have stayed before and will again! We got right onto Route 52 and right away got on US 11, which was on I-81. We traveled on I-81 for a while, until US 11 veered back onto its own course. It started out as a slightly overcast day, but the sun kept peeking through the clouds!

We passed through Troutville, Virginia. The name evokes the thought of huge trout swimming in the streams and rivers. But really, was the town named as a beacon to signal the fishermen to come! No, sorry to burst that bubble. The town of Troutville was established in 1956. In 1881, this area had no name. The railroad passed through and a station was built, there were three houses then which were occupied by brothers John, Jim, and George Trout, thus the area was called Troutsville. It became an important shipping center in the 1890s. In 1895, Troutsville was a thriving town with an active shipping point, farming, canneries, packing houses and factories. The name of the town was later changed to Troutville.

I often wonder how the Blue Ridge Mountains, got their name. Well, when you look at them, they really do look blue! I could look at these mountains all day and never get tired of the beauty of this mountain range! This time of year is especially beautiful, because the trees are just starting to bloom!

Established by Col. John Buchanan in 1811, the Town of Buchanan retains a blend of historic structures spanning almost two centuries. Standing as a testimony to successive generations, downtown’s historic buildings tell a story of each building, its occupants and their contributions to our community’s history and culture. You can explore elements of Buchanan’s Antebellum Canal Era, the site of Hunter’s Civil War Raid, witness the height of the Victorian era’s excitement as well as the arrival of the railroad and the twentieth century’s shift from horse and buggy to the model T Ford and beyond. My favorite thing to visit the Buchanan Swinging Bridge. It is the only one of its type to cross the James River. Portions of the bridge date back to 1851 as the Buchanan Turnpike Company Toll Bridge. On June 13, 1864, Confederate General McCausland burned the covered bridge to prevent Federal Troops under General Hunter’s command from crossing the James River. Following a series of replacement bridges, the Buchanan Swinging Bridge was constructed on the earlier piers in 1939. Due to its unique position between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, Buchanan, Virginia is known as “Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley,” to those traveling north.

Natural Bridge – I great stop, it offers some amazing views. You had better like to walk, if you want to see the falls. But, there are some times of the year that the falls is only a trickle and you won’t know until you walk all the way to it! Oh well, it is still a nice walk after sitting in the RV. It is a must do, it you are in the area. There is ample parking for RVs closer to the road. It is not striped , so hopefully you are parking with other considerate RVers.

Enchanted Castle Studios offers a unique view from the road, a Viking on top of a windmill. The sad thing is it is not an attraction to visit or tour. They manufacture large fiberglass figures for the amusement industry. Once there was a studio tour here, but a fire forced it to close in 2001. The studio mastermind is Mark Cline. You can see some of his work in other areas around Virginia.

He also created the Elephant in front of the Natural Bridge Zoo on Route 11. He also is working on the Dinosaurs across the road from the Zoo and he created Foamhedge.

Foamhenge," a life-sized plastic foam replica of England's famous Stonehenge monument. Sadly, it has stood for 12 years and now it needs a new home. Originally installed an April Fool's Day stunt. News outlets report that artist Mark Cline must move the monument before Aug. 1 because Foamhenge sits on property that will become part of the new Natural Bridge State Park. The replica of the configuration of huge, upright stones in Wiltshire, England, has served as a local tourist landmark since it was unveiled. Cline says he built the free attraction to entice travelers off the road and has been impressed with its enduring popularity. He wants to give the replica to someone who is prepared to welcome a constant flow of curious visitors.

Virginia Gold, takes your mind to the nuggets of gold, big dollars, etc … but we are not the gold we blogged about yesterday. Virginia Gold is an Orchard, a family-run farm dedicated to growing the very best tasting Asian pears.  Asian pears are unique, but what makes Virginia Gold Orchard special is the fact that its pears are considered by many to be the best they have ever tasted. Many other pears - often shipped in from outside the United States - are picked green, days or weeks before they are truly ripe! They always pick there pears at the peak of ripeness, allowing the warm Virginia sun to give the pears their full, unique flavor. They then lovingly pack each box themselves at the orchard, by hand, to ensure only the very best pears reach you. Yum, can’t wait to get some when they are in season!

The monument to the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment is just north of New Market, Virginia. It was erected on October 25, 1905. A brass tablet beneath the monument explains the monument's rededication in 1984. The monument is next to the Bloody Cedars wayside marker, which tells the story of the 54th Pennsylvania at New Market, where they suffered the second-highest regimental loss in the battle. In 1984, title to this monument was given to the New Market Battlefield Park. The monument was originally dedicated on 25 October 1905 to the men of the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry, it now serves as a memorial to all who fought at the Battle of New Market on 15 May 1864.

McNeill’s Last Charge occurred just south of Mount Jackson, Virginia. History indicates that in the predawn darkness of 3 Oct. 1864, Capt. John Hanson McNeill led thirty of his Partisan Rangers against a hundred-man detachment of the 8th Ohio Cavalry Regiment that was guarding the Meems Bottom Bridge. The attack ended in fifteen minutes with most of the guard captured and McNeill, among the best-known Confederate partisan commanders, mortally wounded.

Last Indian Settler Conflict is the title on the wayside marker. It is on US 11, between Edinburg and Woodstock.

This history of the marker itself is interesting, but first this is what it says: ‘LAST INDIAN-SETTLER CONFLICT: A series of conflicts between settlers and Native Americans, including the French and Indian War, the Cherokee War, and Pontiac’s War, occurred along the western frontier of the colonies. The last documented clash in the Shenandoah Valley took place nearby in 1766. A small band of Indians attacked the Sheetz and Taylor families as they fled for safety to the fort of Woodstock. Mathias Sheetz and Taylor were both killed, but their wives used axes to fight off the Indians and escape with the children.’ I learned more about this marker in an e-book called ‘Lies Across America: What American Historic Sites Get Wrong’. In this case, there is a new sign that corrects an earlier version of the marker, which was hit by a snow plow in 1994 and had to be replaced. Here's what the old marker said: ‘LAST INDIAN OUTRAGE: Here, in 1766, took place the last Indian outrage in Shenandoah County. Five Indians attacked two settler families fleeing to Woodstock. Two men were killed; the women and children escaped.’ They used "Conflict" instead of "Outrage" in the title, all is politically correct now … why can’t we let historical markers be and take them at face value for the era they are representing?!

If you go through Woodstock Virginia, you must stop at a small garden in downtown. At first glance it looks like there is a stone hiker standing there. The garden is called “Jane's Garden” in honor of Jane Beasley, a former Enhancement Coordinator, for all of her hard work and dedication in the beautification and improvement of the Town. To increase its beauty, the Town of Woodstock has placed our first piece of public art in Jane's Garden. The theme of the piece at this location is meant to "Capture the Valley" and PAC-Man was chosen because he, or is it a she, represents people who long ago settled in our beautiful Shenandoah Valley. In the words of PAC-Man's talented sculptor, Craig Gray, "He is symbolic of the travelers who walked across our country to 'capture' better places to live, work, and raise families. He could be about life and our experiences... the sharp edges rounded as we make our journey."  Better hurry, if you want to catch a glimpse … PAC-Man will only stand still for so long … in August of 2017, he will walk on!

On Route 11, it is a quick trip through West Virginia and across the Potomac into Maryland. It is interesting how Route 11 transforms itself the entire length! It is a winding two lane road, with no shoulders. At other times, it is a four lane divided highway with majestic trees in the median. Lastly, it is joined with Interstate 81 and takes on the “fast pace” that many of us live today. Personally, we prefer the slower pace of the two lane Route 11. I love to pass through the small towns that take you back to the slower pace and family atmosphere that surround these towns.

Spending the night in Williamsport MD at Hagerstown Antietam KOA, we have been here before and love this place! Sits along a creek and offers loads of character!