A Bit of Virginia History - Natural and Civil

“Time flies. It’s up to you to be the navigator.” – Robert Orben

The Natural Bridge has always been on my list of travel destinations. I'd seen the 3D images in the ViewMaster as a kid, and the site is often referenced when planning travel in this part of the country. As we plan our swing eastbound through the glorious West Virginia scenery, we find Natural Bridge State Park is right on our way to our Virginia agenda.

For all the splendor of the Bridge and its history (the Monocan Indians called it The Bridge of God), I was a little surprised by the seeming lack of local promotion and signage for the site. There's a rich history of this land, including founding fathers having frequented the place. Thomas Jefferson bought the bridge and 157 surrounding acres for $2.40 from King George III. Later, in the middle of his presidency, he built a two-room cabin on the grounds.

Upon arriving at the Visitor Center (housed in part of a bank building), we were met with "Closed" signs and directed to a ticket booth at the Base Station down a lengthy set of outdoor stairs. It was an awkward start as the signage and layout of the Base Station lacked clarity and seemed temporary in nature. It wasn't until we were finally in view of the arch itself that we had any sense of being in the right place.

The views, however, took over any uncertainty and rewarded us with some wonderful vistas. We didn't feel we had much information on the history and lore of the place, but we read any available signs and simply took in the views. The crowds were light and made for an easy stroll. We passed through the arch, noting the many angles from which to view the bridge for different perspectives of this geological phenomenon. A youthful George Washington, while surveying the area in 1750, carved his initials into the stone 23 feet up the left wall. Further up the trail along Cedar Creek, we saw the small cave and saltpeter mine that Jefferson once utilized for making gunpowder.

The rowed seating areas led us to believe there must be regular programming, such as lectures or concerts, that take place just below the arch. The Bridge is certainly an attractive formation and one I thought worthy of more fanfare for this part of the country.

Following our overnight at the nearby KOA, we headed into the heart of Virginia with our first stop at the village of Appomattox Court House.

Appomattox was another stop on my bucket list of historical venues. It was interesting to me how the images of my youth were now met with grown-up reality. I had imagined a small courthouse surrounded by woods, but instead found period farmhouse on the peaceful and open Virginia country side. I was so impressed by the careful attention to detail in that every effort was made to renovate and, in some cases, recreate these national icons. The Visitor Center offered excellent information as to those special days of the surrender, but they also included insights into the nature of life in Virginia during the Civil War era. The photographs below depict the scenes at Appomattox Court House, including the peaceful landscapes and the historic interior rooms of the McClean house, in which the surrender terms were signed.

Be sure to budget in time for the areas immediately around Appomattox. Several pullout sites within a couple of miles offer placards with information to help frame the action leading up to the surrender.

At an interesting stop just north of Appomattox, Sue stayed in the car while I walked to an area to read some additional signs. As I approached the area, I came upon a man in his mid-sixties who was staring at some brochures and looking up and then back at the brochures. He had a look of bewilderment. I greeted him as I passed by and sensed he wanted to talk. The initial words of our conversation revealed that he was from the state of Washington and on a nationwide fall tour. He quickly got to his conundrum. He said, "It's the weirdest thing, but I know I have been here before, but then I've never been at this spot before. How can that be? I feel I know this exact rise, this incline, this spread of woods, and this sense of history, yet I have never been to this part of Virginia before." His wife, relaxing in their travel van, was unable to help him figure it out. I made some feeble attempts to recall other Civil War venues he may have seen, but it was of no help. He simply had to figure it out and it appeared he would spend the day until he did. I felt bad leaving him in his uncertainty, but it was a personal thing. I had to wonder if he was thinking it was an "earlier life" situation.

From Appomattox, heading north, we continued to embrace the beautiful Virginia scenery-the farms, horse farms, and charming small towns Along the Pooka Trail.