Blogs from Virginia, United States, North America - page 112

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North America » United States » Virginia » Luray March 12th 2007

On my way out of the Shenandoah Valley, I stopped by the Luray Caverns. Billed as the largest caverns on the east coast, I decided to stop by and take a look. Found in 1878 in the area limestone. We were assigned to a tour guide and the tour takes about an hour or so. You end up walking just over a mile. It is a US Natural Landmark. Although the caverns are a constant mid 50 degrees, it can be a bit humid. Nature is still at work forming the caverns so water is ever present. The caverns are some 4,000,000 years in the making. Huge, tall cathedral like areas within the cavern. Just amazing. Formations of all kinds are there to see including those that look like anacondas, hanging fish, bacon, draperies and fried ... read more
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns


This morning, I was able to tour Monticello which was the home of Thomas Jefferson. Pronounced "mon tih chello," it means "little mountain" in Italian. It was built on the top of a hill on the rolling hills/small mountains of south central Virginia. Was a working 5,000 acre plantation in Jefferson's time and his place of retirement in 1809 which is also about the same time of completion of the home. He spent his retirement years working at the home and creating the University of Virginia. He lived at Monticello with his extended family in virtual peace from the rest of the world to study his plants, read his books and write letters. Apparently, he enjoyed escaping the politics of DC and liked nothing more than being at Monticello. Jefferson designed the home and supervised contruction. ... read more
Jefferson Grave Site
Back Side of Monticello
Vegetable Garden


On my way out of town this morning, I stopped by the University of Virginia campus to see the famous Rotunda. According to the brochure, it was completed in 1826. Thomas Jefferson designed the Rotunda to originally be the library. He was also responsible for the establishment of the University and spent much of his later years perfecting it and designing other buildings on the campus. He also created the curriculum for the university and hired the initial professors. There apparently was a fire in the late 1800s so this is a restoration of the original although in keeping with Jefferson's original design. It's a beautiful campus. Students live in the single rooms which run the length of the lawn on the back side of the Rotunda. Apparently, it is a high honor to be selected ... read more
Front View of the Rotunda-Street Level
Back View
Back View-Up Close

North America » United States » Virginia » Natural Bridge March 11th 2007

This site was my definite "must see" of the day. The Natural Bridge is located in southwest Virginia and is HUGE. Thomas Jefferson bought the Natural Bridge and the area around it from King George III in 1774 for 20 shillings as a means to preserve it for all to see. The Bridge is limestone and 215 feet tall and 90 feet wide. Was considered a Natural Wonder of the New World along with Niagara Falls during those days. There's also a long walking path which leads you by the Lost River, the Monacan Indian Village, and ends at the Lace Falls. Lace Falls are a series of falls totalling about a 90 foot drop. Along the path, there are several stairs and the slope can be steep and very slippery at times. However, the facilities ... read more
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge Sign
Lace Waterfalls

North America » United States » Virginia » Richmond February 17th 2007

So really early in the morning we got up and ate some cereal and walked a few blocks to a cold congregation awaiting some rented vans that would drive us to the rugby game at U of Richmond. The car ride was alright, we were all tired. Once we got there the team started warming up and such, I went for a run around campus. U Richmond is a pretty campus from what I saw. Somehow I didn't get completely lost and got back to the field in time for the game to start. Rugby is a really intense sport with rules I do not understand in the slightest. However, thanks to some help and some beer from one of the girls' rugby-playing boyfriends I got really into it. They use fun words like "scrum" and ... read more

North America » United States » Virginia » Norfolk February 8th 2007

Yesterday while out on our regular Wednesday night ride, Liz gave me a warning- "Wes, you do not want to do the Shenandoah 100 on a singlespeed. Get yourself a bike with gears! Heck, we'll find you a bike with gears!!" Carol was there to witness it. Fair enough, Liz, the gauntlet has been thrown. Or should I say the bike glove? There's something absurd about riding an off-road century, and there's something even more absurd about riding a singlespeed. It therefore borders on the idiotic to ride an off-road century on a singlespeed. But then it was idiotic to even consider riding from Boston to Montreal and back in less than four days. So what the heck? Why not? Oh, and Liz, you can collect your glove anytime... countdown=2007090211 text=until the Shenandoa... read more
Gears?  We Don't Have No Stinkin' Gears...

North America » United States » Virginia » Harrisonburg February 6th 2007

“How cold is it?” a kid asked his riding buddy, a thermometer the size of an oversized lollipop pinned to the back of his schoolbag, “Forty.” “What?? It’s colder than that!” “Dude, it says forty. Course, it said forty in the valley, too. It’s been saying forty all day long.” Another voice chimed in, commenting in cold irony, “I think your thermometer's frozen.” It was definitely colder than forty degrees fahrenheit. I had left my bike computer with thermometer at home on my touring bike, but having grown up in Northern Vermont, I could safely say that it was not only cold, but wicked cold by the time that we hit the ridgeline and the wind hit us. And wicked cold is a lot closer to Zero than it is forty. I had been itching to ... read more
Liz Takes a Breather
Locals
The View at the Top

North America » United States » Virginia » Paint Bank January 29th 2007

After getting my Nikon D50 in January 2007, I wanted to go all over the world and take pictures but I had to limit myself to where my car would take me. On January 29, 2007 we went riding to a little town called Paint Bank in Virginia. We were on a mission to find snow for my daughter since Roanoke hadn't gotten any measurable snow by this date. In Paint Bank you will find one of the Fish Hatcheries that provide trout for streams all in Virginia. You also will find what looks to be an old Railroad Station and beautiful camping spots and streams all in the area. It is truly beautiful there. ... read more
Paint Bank 2
Paint Bank 3

North America » United States » Virginia » Manassas January 19th 2007

So, it's my last day in the U.S. I arrived last night in Washington, DC and went a little south with Julian to his place. I really enjoy train rides. It was a long ride from Amherst to DC, but it was extremely pleasant. I had plenty of room and very smooth trip without much effort at all. The DC-metro area is really pretty nice. The people here are quite friendly and there's a lot of stuff to see. I went to the Bull Run Battlefield sight today with Julian. It's very beautiful, in a creepy kind of way. It's especially interesting to consider that the Confederates ended up winning that battle. Near Julian's apartment is pretty much every major food and shopping chain that anyone could ever want. It's a little disturbing how much commercial ... read more

North America » United States » Virginia » Edinburg January 14th 2007

"Look at that porch," I exclaimed as we topped a small rise. We were driving on a back road in the Shenandoah Valley, heading north and home after spending a few days visiting with Nancy's Mom. "Stop," Nancy shouted, "take a picture." I had already passed the house and could not turn around on the narrow road until we came to the next driveway. Driving back to the house with the fantastic porch I saw two men on one of the back porches. This house had porches in the front, on the back, on the sides of the house as well as porches on the second story. There are seven porches in all. Parking in the driveway I walked to where the two men stood, talking. "We were driving by, heading home and saw you house. ... read more
One of the Fireplaces
The Barn




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