Today
we traveled to Gettysburg via Route 15, the whole way! We saw many vineyards on
the early part of the route, but this one caught my eye ... Bleu Frog Vineyards.
Bleu Frog
Vineyards came to fruition due to a combination of timing, dreaming, hard work,
and a dash of luck. As true advocates for freedom and patriotism, the Kernan
family spent over 30 years moving around serving in the US Navy. Like every
career military, they have hopes of one day establishing long term roots somewhere.
After retiring in 2014, the search for the farm life began and succeeded 2
years later in Loudoun County, when, as fate be told, the old White Stone Farm
was listed for sale. With the rolling hills, rocky terrain, and proximity to
Leesburg, it was the perfect place.
Initially,
grape farming and a healthy lifestyle motivated the property transformations
but soon the family realized they could offer more to the community, the grape
growers, and the wine makers of Northern Virginia. With the harvest gods on
their side, by 2019, their first wine was created and the vision for the
property began to expand. Bleu Frog was named to honor Jan’s passion and
expertise in the French culinary arts and Joe’s service as a Navy SEAL aka ‘frogman’.
The Kernan family is dedicated and passionate for Veterans affairs supporting
various causes that promote Veteran hiring initiatives as well as organizations
that promote long term, continued support for Gold Star families.
The
vegetable gardens we saw along the roadside were massive! They looked well-tended
to and flourishing.
At the
intersection of James Monroe Highway (US 15) and Spinks Ferry Road (VA Route
657) is a historical marker, erected in 1929 by Conservation & Development
Commission. This historical marker represents the location where Lee turned to
cross the Potomac at White's Ford on September 6, 1862, as part of his invasion
of Maryland. Jubal A. Early, returning from his Washington raid, crossed the
river at the same spot on July 14, 1864. The site was frequently used for
crossings by the armies during the Civil War. The Virginia side is not directly
accessible and on private property. The Maryland side is in the Dickerson
Conservation Park and adjacent to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National
Historic Park.
Near
the Potomac River is the hamlet of Lucketts, it was originally known as
"Black Swamp" due to the large number of black oak trees growing in
the area at the time of its settlement. It is now known for its antique shops
bursting with eclectic treasures, especially the Old Lucketts Store, a historic
three-story building that was formerly a post office and general store. Each
August, Lucketts hosts the Lucketts Fair, which kicks off the fall season of
country fairs in Loudoun. In addition, live bluegrass music at the historic
Lucketts Community Center is an ongoing tradition. The Old Lucketts Store is a
138 year old restored general store and family home.
Built in 1879 by the Luckett family, it was
restored and brought back to life in 1996 by owner Suzanne Eblen, her husband
Pat, and countless friends and workmen.
The shop now is home to 35+ dealers who specialize in antiques, vintage
finds, and just plain cool stuff!
The
boundary between Virginia and Maryland was established by multiple colonial
charters, two negotiated settlements by the states in 1785 and 1958, an
arbitrated agreement in 1877, and several Supreme Court decisions. The details
of the Potomac River boundary line, and the boundary on the Eastern Shore
separating Accomack County in Virginia from Worcester/Somerset counties in
Maryland, were not defined easily. The Potomac River divides Maryland and
Virginia, but Virginia does not own half of the Potomac River. The
Maryland-Virginia boundary is next to the Virginia shoreline at the low-water
mark in most places; the line separating Maryland from Virginia is not in the
middle of the river.
As a
result of this peculiar boundary here are some interesting facts. In the
1950's, when gambling and liquor were legal in Maryland but not Virginia,
Colonial Beach and Prince William County had slot machines located on boats
docked in the river off the Virginia shoreline. (Customers would park in
Virginia, walk out a pier, and "step across the line" into Maryland.)
Today, if you want to get married on a boat in the middle of the Potomac River
while looking at Mount Vernon, you need a Maryland marriage license. The bridges
crossing the Potomac River are almost completely in Maryland and the dreams of
Virginia transportation planners to build new bridges across the Potomac River
in Loudoun/Prince William counties can be blocked by Maryland, which has
expressed clear opposition to road projects that would extend urban sprawl
further into Montgomery/Charles counties.
Most
of my friends know I love researching history. Being part of the famed 42
nd
Infantry Division, anytime I see another military unit sign, I am curious. The
115th Infantry, Maryland National Guard, was first organized in 1881. Some believe
that the 115th’s origins date to 1775, when “Cresap’s Rifles”, an independent
rifle company was formed and joined George Washington’s Continental Army. The
115th Infantry’s current motto, “Rally Round The Flag.” The 1st Maryland was
federalized in 1917, attached to the newly established 29th “Blue and Gray”
Division and 3 units were consolidated to form the 115th Infantry.
In 1918, they participated in the massive
Meuse-Argonne offensive where two of its members were awarded the Medal of
Honor. In 1941, the entire National Guard was called up into Federal Service
and the 115th, as part of the 29th Division went to war. On D-Day, June 6 1944,
the 115th was part of the second wave of the assault force that landed on Omaha
Beach in Normandy. The entire regiment was awarded gained a Presidential
Distinguished Unit Citation for its gallant actions on that historic day. The
1st Battalion, 115th Infantry was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with
Silver Star for repulsing a determined German counterattack on 11 July 1944. The
115th was called up on two occasions during the Civil Rights Movement, once in
1963 and again in 1968 following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. Interestingly, the regiment was briefly part of the Pennsylvania National
Guard in the 1960’s but reverted back to Maryland control in 1976 as part of
the 58th Separate Infantry Brigade. In 1984, upon reactivation of the 29th
Division, the 115th became part of the 3rd Brigade.
At that time, the 115th consisted of 2
battalions, the 1st Battalion consisting of troops from Western Maryland to the
Baltimore and DC suburbs, and the 2nd Battalion consisting of mostly Eastern
Shore troops. In the 2000’s, the 115th was folded into the 175th Infantry and
deactivated as an independent regiment.
We
needed to kill some time, so in Fredericks MD we pulled into the Walmart.
Sheryl and I got a few groceries, when we came out the guys had the chairs out
and they were just chillin’ waiting for us.
Emmitsburg
is the last town in MD before we hit PA. It is home to Mount St Mary’s
University. It is a Catholic, Liberal Arts University. Currently, the campus
includes the largest Catholic seminary in the US. It was established in 1808, as
a private, coed, nonprofit university on a beautiful 1,400 acre, mountain
campus. The class of 2022 student body consists of students from 44 states and
37 countries.
Welcome to Pennsylvania. I enjoy crossing state lines while we are traveling,
it is like checking something off a “to-do” list. See the “keystones” on the
upper portion of the sign? Pennsylvania's essential role in the founding of the
United States earned it the nickname, the “Keystone State.” The term “keystone”
comes from architecture and refers to the central, wedge-shaped stone in an
arch, which holds all the other stones in place.
We
drove through a portion of downtown Gettysburg to arrive at Gettysburg
Campground our home for 4 days and 3 nights.
We met up with some of our NY camping framily!
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