This morning began just fine. I slept in until 8:30 and went out to have my breakfast, enjoy some coffee, packed my belongings, and left the Leesburg Hampton Inn. I drove to Manassas, without much trouble down another beautiful road. Wildflowers line the road, filled the meadows. Trees rose tall with some type of vine climbing up their trunks. I just love the beauty of the areas.
The GPS took me on a little side trip to a picnic area that was part of the site of the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas - one side used cities to name their battles, the other used a geographic landmark). That wasn't it, but I did get to see a horseback rider starting out on their trail and I resolved again that I'd like to see the land by horseback. Maybe I'd look in to that for tomorrow.
The GPS got me close enough to my destination (thought not quite there) and I arrived just in time to catch the Henry Hill walking tour. An older gentleman was leading the walk and took us around to about three or four different spots where he then lectured for about 10 minutes in each spot explaining the causes, strategies, generals, fighting, and failures of that first battle. It was interesting and I was glad I had caught it. I still can't understand the Washington politicians and socialites who came out to "watch" the battle happen. They didn't make it to the actual battle - northern soldiers came running at them in retreat and telling them to get out while they could.
After Manassas, I had quite a bit of a drive to Jefferson's Monticello. I really wanted to see it and I figured I had better drive there today and try to get in, so in case I couldn't for some reason, I'd have tomorrow to try again. I really wanted to see Monticello. I was in the car for almost two hours going through the lush countryside with their picture perfect homes lining the roads.
Some funny things about the radio - I am happy that there are plenty of country radio stations, but there are also plenty of Christian stations - even gospel stations. As soon as a song I didn't like or a commercial came on, I'd switch the station. Well, I came upon one station that sounded like an old time radio show - very dramatic actors with organ music to make it sound tense and scary. But was it an old time radio show? I don't think so. It was about drugs and it was the story of this boy who started doing drugs and then eventually heroine and how it changed him. At the end, it talked about getting help for those on drugs through the church but to try to prevent it in the first place. Then, I heard it was put on by Bob Jones University. I then realized that I believe this is part of the Bible belt? There are churches everywhere.
I kept hearing about the severe thunderstorm warnings for several counties and I looked it up and Lynchburg county, where I was headed, had the warning. For as many warnings as I heard and read, I saw very little rain/thunderstorms in comparison. Luckily I missed the worst parts of it.
I made it to the area of Monticello and was side tracked by Michie's Tavern. I thought I'd see what it was, and I was starting to get rather hungry. I saw a sign that they weren't open past 3:30, so I thought I'd go in and take a look. There was a couple that stopped and talked to me. That's one thing I've found being on this trip is that people are friendly and they want to find out where you are going, where you are from, they are happy to answer any questions, etc. It's nice.
This tavern was also a very old one dating back to 1784. I looked in their gift shop and at the menu, which sounded very good, and decided to get the buffet. I had fried chicken, sweet coleslaw, black-eyed chickpeas, bbq pulled pork, corn bread, buttermilk biscuit, some kind of tomato mush, and beets. I skipped the green beans, but took the rest. It was very good, and again, the people were dressed in colonial outfits.
I did walk to the silversmith's shop and then the clothier's shop (lots of old fashioned dresses...I wanted one! but I really don't have room and my mother could make it for less and tailored to fit). It was starting to rain at this point and I could hear some thunderclaps, so I skipped the general store and ran back to my car and headed up the windy road to Monticello. The parking lot was fairly empty so I pulled in close and walked up to the visitors center. I walked in to buy my ticket, but to my dismay, they were no longer offering tickets due to the thunderstorm warnings. They may start the shuttles to the mountaintop again later, but they didn't know. I could look around the gift shop and watch the movie.
I had to make a decision...stay and maybe get in later, or come back the next day in the morning and head on out to Appomattox tonight for the surrender and get to my B&B...I thought about it, and after all, this was partly why I came today, so if I struck out once, I'd make it the next day. I looked at the weather and Wednesday looked clear and beautiful. I headed out toward Appomattox, in the rain. I was praying I didn't get caught in a really bad downpour since I was driving to the county with the warning.
I drove through this little two lane backroad to Appomattox. I kept an eye on the gas tank. I had paid to fill it up through Avis, my car rental, since it was actually a good gas price. Although, I realized that it is hard to judge a car you don't know on how to take it back on an empty tank. So, I thought I needed to put a few bucks in now and then hopefully it would run down pretty close to empty upon my arrival to Avis on Wednesday. I looked for a gas station and pulled in to this log cabin type place on the side of the road. I of course pulled into the wrong side. I pulled around to the other side, got out and walked around. I didn't see a gas tank! I looked at the back, nothing. I got in the car, looked for the manual, and looked for a hidden location. There was none. Hmm...what to do. I walked around again, and noticed an extra line in the side panel. I pushed just on the right side, and it popped open. Ah...they just tried to disguise it by making it completely smooth. I saw it looked like no gas cap, and thought, maybe that's why it's not running so smooth...but then noticed it was made to not have a gas cap. Oh well, that was easy once I figured it out.
I went through a few areas where the trees were being taken over by some type of broadleaf vine. It made me think, for some reason, of that big furry dog on Sesame Street. It was like there were great big giant animals made out of vines and trees with a leafy fur coat. They were pretty cool. If there had been wider shoulders or scenic pullouts on these roads I was taking, I would never have made a trip in the given amount of time due to pulling off much too frequently to take a picture of the beauty. I tried to burn it into my memory, but I know my memory doesn't last too well over the years (hence why I write such detailed accounts here).
The sun started making an appearance and the rain came to a stop. Clouds were spreading apart and I noticed the country was changing. I was starting to notice more evergreen trees. There were still plenty of deciduous trees, but it did look a bit drier - not as much lush green plants crawling up the trees. I was coming to more wider meadows, many filled with some type of yellow blooming plant, probably knee-waist high.
I found Appomattox and pulled into the the driveway to see that it closed at 5pm. It was 5:30. Strike two. This was the first place that didn't close at 8pm or dark. Oh, well, at least I wasn't far away and could easily catch it on my way out in the morning. On to the bed and breakfast I had arranged via phone that morning with Dana, the owner.
The town of Appomattox was not much to speak of. There were some great little houses, but it seemed a rather sleepy little town. I saw the bed and breakfast entrance and the beautiful Tudor style home behind a short wall of stone and a tall wall of trees. I passed it, wondering what else there may be to see. I discovered there wasn't much so I turned around at the high school parking lot and drove back to the the half circle driveway. Longacre Bed and Breakfast looked just as quaint and cute in person as it did online. I rang the doorbell and Dee's mom (her name has escaped me) answered with a big smile and southern accent displaying her warm southern charm and hospitality.
She showed me around and to my room upstairs, "The Mint Room" with it's own private bathroom. The room wasn't as bright minty green as I had first feared, it was a a lovely room with lots of angles and edges and a few bay windows. A lovely tray with water, cups and Andes mints was set on an ottoman. A writing desk with a lamp lay against the wall opposing the bed.
I asked for a recommendation for food, and she gave me many. She answered my question about the cute bookstore I had seen on the tiny Main street by recommending that if I wanted something light. That was it. I sat on my bed, started this entry for a bit, heard some people being shown the room next to me, and then slightly before 7pm, I headed out to the bookstore. It was certainly quaint. It was a bookstore, music store, and little cafe/coffeeshop all rolled into one. By the looks of all the instruments, I'm guessing it is also a venue for small artists. There were actually two and a half levels, there was sort of a mezzanine landing half way up with a collection of mismatched chairs and tables. The third story had more books and tables, but certainly was not as charming as the previous two.
I drove out a ways before returning to my abode for the evening. I wanted to just see what there was to see. There were a lot of small homes plotted along the road as well as trailers every several plots of land. I did pass a nice lake that was reflecting the sunset. One house I passed was this massive southern mansion set way back behind trees with a long private drive down a hill next to a lake and up the next hill to the house. It was quite impressive.
I walked back down and ate my quiche and apple pie a la mode, which was very tasty. I had been the only one when I came in and had chatted with the owner, a large man with a snowy beard that reminded me something of a backwoods Burl Ives. He asked if I was from Minnesota or somewhere up there because he thought he heard that in my voice. No, I responded but it is funny because I've heard that before. I don't know why. My father was from Kansas and grandmother from Nebraska, but that shouldn't mean much either.
I returned to my B&B and there were two ladies there that were staying all week because they were taking some classes in another town. They were also Christian school teachers and taking an training for accelerated classes and had to do the same type of work that their students would have to do. I did end up talking to them for quite a time. They were so funny. Both were from Virginia. We talked about where we were from, and one had a much stronger accent than the other. One was fascinated that I was from California and wanted to know if I saw stars (Hollywood, not astronomical) all the time, to which I said no, although I did let them know my slight elbow rubs with the Housewives).
I asked about some words that they use there that they don't use elsewhere. One said "momenems" I asked her to repeat it. She explained it is "mom and thems" but run all together. I asked about fireflies, and so then we got to talking about the differences and similarities in wildlife in our areas. I saw a fox squirrel in a picture (they are huge). They discussed how it was spooky in the house the night before since they were alone and had heard noises (and a mother had put in their minds it could be haunted). One had also said that they were up all night due to drinking Mountain Dew (which I had heard was the choice addiction of those in the Appalachians). Then I noticed her current Mountain Dew. So, it strengthened my stereotype.
They said they would come out and help me catch fireflies when they finished their work, so grabbed my iPad and keyboard, a cup of tea, and then headed outside to find a nice place to sit on the expansive lawns (which I had explored earlier before the bookstore). There were several little nooks and garden areas and I knew I could sit and let the sun drop while hopefully fireflies would buzz about. Well...the first chair had no cushion. The other cushioned seat had a swarm of ants feasting on something on it. I walked through several spider webs (one that I even heard snap). I finally gave up and walked around to the front. The sunset was lovely pinks and oranges, so I put my stuff down and ran to the beautiful brick church across the street and snapped some pictures that did not capture the scene adequately.
My way back in, I did notice a little bench out front and sat there writing some more. The sun sank and the crescent moon was following quickly. I did notice a pretty little garden globe next to me and tried taking some pictures. I then saw two little lights in the air...yes, fireflies. That was it. The ladies came out once, but nothing. I went back inside, called it a day, got ready for bed and turned the TV on to see that there were riots in Anaheim. My thought was that it must not be Anaheim, CA, after all, that's home to the happiest place on earth...not riots. Well, I'd find out the next morning that I was wrong and it was Anaheim, Ca.
I sank into a deep sleep in my incredibly comfortable bed and knew of nothing until the next morning.
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