June 3 – June 7, 2014
As we wander through the eastern part of the country we are
enjoying not only the hardwood forests of Virginia but also the rich history
that surrounds us.
We stopped near Lynchburg for a few days as we continue our
journey northward. The RV Park was about 20 miles from town and was settled in
a nice forested area. Izzy enjoyed wandering the trails but also walking each
morning with Steve on an ATV trail. They did have a close encounter the last
day we were there with a bear cub. Steve was able to get to the top of the hill
just in time to see the Mama bear come to the tree where her cub was. I am sure
you can guess Steve sounded the retreat.
Historic Lynchburg
Mount Terrace in Lynchburg
The Doughboy
Remembering WWII
Confederate Soldier at the Top
Speaking of retreat, when you are in this part of Virginia
you get to absorb more of the Civil War as well as remember World War II. We
headed out to the Appomattox Court House and toured the grounds. The National
Park Service maintains this historical park and you are treated to period
conversations and buildings. The McLean House is where Ulysses S. Grant and
Robert E. Lee signed the terms of surrender. The McLean’s moved to Appomattox
Court House in 1863 to be near the railroad.
McLean's House
The Dining Room
The Parlor where the Signing Occurred
The Bedroom
Making History
A Confederate Private after the Surrender
Plunkett-Meeks Store
We wandered the grounds and learned about the Village.
Originally the village of Appomattox Court House was known as Clover Hill. It
was a small settlement with just a few houses around the tavern, which was a
stopping-off point on the main Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. In 1845 the name
was changed to Appomattox Court House.
The Appomattox Court House
Appomattox County Jail
The Hill
A Lone Grave
The Fence Line
There are several original buildings on the property and you
are treated to seeing parole passes printed which were given to the
Confederates so they could return to their homes without being harassed. The
printing occurred in the Clover Hill Tavern. We looked for a cup of moonshine but
only found a parole pass!
Clover Hill Tavern
Bocock-Isbell House, Kitchen and Smoke house
Crawford Jones' Law Office and Home
You get to walk on the Lynchburg-Richmond Stage Road and go
to the spot where Grant and Lee met on horseback to begin the discussion of
surrendering. Respect comes to mind when you read about the events and the
final terms. It is said this was the beginning of the reunification of the
states.
The Spot Where Lee and Grant Met
The next day we headed to Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
home. Thomas Jefferson and his wife
Martha inherited the Bedford County Plantation known as Poplar Forest from her
father in 1773. Jefferson was quite the architect and designed his octagonal
home. The plantings and other buildings were laid out symmetrically from the
house. It does help that they have the plans to look at too!
Thomas Jefferson's Home
The Back
The Kitchen
The Out House
This house became his retreat property and he would stay for
weeks to months at a time. Jefferson made his last trip to Poplar Forest in
1823 when he settled his grandson, Francis Eppes, on the property.
Our timing was such that the town of Bedford Virginia was
having the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Not being from this part of
the country I didn’t know why Bedford would do this. We quickly learned that
the National D-Day Memorial is located there and is pretty spectacular. We
researched the details for the celebration and hit the road Friday morning to
catch a shuttle to the celebration.
The folks that organized this Commemoration of the Normandy
Landing, 6 June 1944, did an awesome job. There were over 100 WWII veterans
there that had participated in the Normandy Landing in some fashion, as well as
many other WWII veterans. You also saw other veterans in attendance and their
families.
The Landing at Normandy Portrayed
Historic
Tribute from the Air
Never Forget
It was quite an honor for Steve and I to have been there and
the presentations took you back to that time if you sat there and closed your
eyes as they read from soldiers’ diaries. Walking around the memorial you
quickly learn how the allies came together and stood together during tragedy
and success.
The Plan
General Eisenhower
WWII
A Soldier's Life
Back in Time
One of the attendees, Bob Sales, is now 91 and is among only
six World War II veterans chosen to receive a medal directly from the French
President Francois Hollande. The medal represents being a knight of the French
Legion of Honor. Mr. Sales attached his medal to the Homage statue while we
were there. By the way, Mr. Sales was awarded three Purple Hearts and the
Silver Star among other metals for battling his way across France before he was
wounded and left partially blind.
Paying Homage to the Bedford Boys
Bob Sales Pinning his Medal
There is much more I could share with you about the history
in this area but I know we will continue with the history tour over the next
months, so more to come from SIT’s adventure.
Happy
Still Truckin'
View from Blue Ridge Parkway
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