This will be my last entry for the American blog. If it hadn't been for these two very lovely people in the photo, I wouldn't have been able to go and do all the wonderful things and seen all the places I have seen in America.
I thank you both most deeply for making this trip such a special time for me.
I went to look for America and discovered the real West Virginia.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
A walk in the woods
Near the summit on Cheat Mountain there used to be a Fort for the Union soldiers in the Civil War. A lot of them actually froze to death and were placed in temporary graves, just about where I took this photo. The bodies were exhumed later on and now lie at rest in the Grafton National Military Cemetery.
The real West Viginia
Driving down through the State, in convoy with Ken and his daughter Kelly, and Daisy the part wolf dog, we saw the most stunning Fall colours.
It was so worth the long drive, from 9.30am till 11.30 at night. On the way through the town of Elkins we came across the annual Forest Fair and the traffic was backed for quite a way. We ate lunch at a great diner and then drove on to Cheat Mountain.
It was so worth the long drive, from 9.30am till 11.30 at night. On the way through the town of Elkins we came across the annual Forest Fair and the traffic was backed for quite a way. We ate lunch at a great diner and then drove on to Cheat Mountain.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
A favourite place
Here's a great place to chill out, or warm up! The swimming and fitness complex is a fairly recent addition to WVU.
See more pics here.
See more pics here.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
It's Hanover, but not in Germany
16 miles East of Gettysburg is the town of Hanover, where we stayed in a lovely old house which was built in 1834 and is now a Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Our room was upstairs and we had our own little porch on the balcony where we sat and happily worked on our cross-stitch. I could imagine ladies in elegant crinolines 150 years ago, doing the exact same thing or maybe entertaining their beaus and discussing the days affairs. No cellphones or laptops then, and we purposely did not bring ours; they would somehow have seemed rather out of place.
In the early evening we took a walk into the main town area and photographed some of the old buildings there. Americans really love their flags and all along the streets the Stars and Stripes were displayed on porches and even in the planted boxes on the sidewalks.
Breakfast was prepared and presented beautifully, smoothies, a baked pear with raisins, followed by eggs cooked to perfection in bacon "cups". This was accompanied by friendly service and interesting conversation with our hosts.
Soon it was time to get on the road to Gettysburg.
An uncivil war
How do you blog a battle? Union one, Confederates nil?
At Gettysburg on July 4th 1863, after three days of intense fighting, about 50,000 soldiers lay dead. This number was more than the actual population of the town.
Sons, fathers, uncles, all brothers in arms; such a sad and wasteful loss. There are around 1,400 monuments and markers on the main battlefield area; all tell a story of struggle and bravery.
The Eternal Light Peace Memorial located on the field of battle, is symbolic of peace and union and was dedicated by Franklin D Roosevelt in 1938, the 75th anniversary of the battle.
At Gettysburg on July 4th 1863, after three days of intense fighting, about 50,000 soldiers lay dead. This number was more than the actual population of the town.
Sons, fathers, uncles, all brothers in arms; such a sad and wasteful loss. There are around 1,400 monuments and markers on the main battlefield area; all tell a story of struggle and bravery.
The Eternal Light Peace Memorial located on the field of battle, is symbolic of peace and union and was dedicated by Franklin D Roosevelt in 1938, the 75th anniversary of the battle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
