Few days away Lexington Va.

My sister and I took a trip to Rockbridge County Virgina for some Genealogical research.

We stayed in Natural Bridge Hotel one night.  

Picture taken from our balcony to across street where you would purchase tickets to take in Natural Bridge

I am glad prior to being sold that I was able to take in the "Drama of Creation" that was inaugurated by Calvin Coolidge in 1927.  A night time light show.  I asked at the desk about this and was told that it wasn't being held anymore.  But the website visitroanokeva.com/events/illumination-of-the-bridge/48618/  says other wise.    

The leaves had just started in some areas to change color and many dead leaves falling from trees. 

Warm Springs in Bath county not far away. 

Jefferson Pools have been restored and back in service.  Fed by Springs with temp 98 degrees F.  Loaded with minerals that are good for the  body.

Jefferson Pools in background restored.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

The trees have just started to turn in this area

Inside was this picture.  I like the Norman Rockwell style (it's what I call it anyway) I don't know who painted it. 

Sitting on this sweet little porch looking out to the valley

A drive around Millboro to see the area my gr and gr gr grandparents lived.  This had to be hard living in the early 1800's.  No roads, just cart paths and homes few and far between.  Freezing winters and miserable hot summers is what I was thinking while taking in this very pretty area.

Old Millboro church

Old steps leading to church.  This place is closed and no trespassing sign on door. 

This pumpkin was sitting on a table in records room.  It looks like lace is glued to it and then sprayed.

I thought it pretty. 

Til next time

Few Autumn buys and a zoo visit

 New Hobby Lobby opened up not too far from me and of course I had to take a drive there. 

Things are 40 to 50 percent off.   

Some pears I plan on doing some crafting with along with the gold colored metal leaf sheets.

If pictures are clicked on once and usually once again, they are enlarged a bit. 

The metal leaf I use for a lot of things.

I purchased this velvet to make a few things and one is sachet bags for my dried lavender and rose buds.

I am going back I think to get the scarecrow.  I can make one but the price is too good.

Dollar tree stuff I may let my granddaughter come up with something. 

I will paint the pumpkins a different color 

Will paint the centers a glittery color on the sunflowers

I usually don't purchase much from Dollar Tree and less now since Hobby lobby is closer.  The grade of materials are much nicer at hobby lobby, but Dollar Tree does have supplies  to use to embellish some items from their stores to make them nicer. 

About two weeks ago we took the grands to Natural Bridge.  They have never been before and an extra for them was the Natural Bridge Zoo.

Taken from the terrace of our hotel room.  The Hi way there is route 11, Lee Highway over the Natural bridge.  

We had dinner here in the Tavern room.  I got a shot of the wallpaper because I do like it. 

There is a room off of the lobby of artifacts and other historical items.

Breakfast in hotel dining room

G.V. waiting for our order of breakfast. 

It was hearty

we have been here before but first time taking grand girls

On top of bridge is route 11, Lee Highway.  We took that highway leaving.  Cannot see below when traveling over it as there are fences for safety blocking views.

Natural bridge, a giant gorge carved out by cedar creek, a tributary of the James River. 

Water looks low. The past few times I have visited here, it was rushing through.

following cedar creek trail under bridge leading to Saltpeter Cave. Once leased out to Thomas Jefferson for the production of saltpeter a major ingredient for early gun powder.  Saltpeter made from this site was used in the war of 1812 and civil war.  Nitrite rich compounds come from droppings of bats and birds.  Compounds were extracted from the cave, boiled to concentrate and crystalize the potassium nitrite into salt peter.

girls at saltpeter cave

Next day was the Natural Bridge Zoo.

Very clean and well taken care of animals.  We enjoyed it very much. 

Girls especially loved the Elephant ride.  

taking a nap

There were many more animals.  Monkeys, donkey, alligator etc..

But the most exciting part for them was the elephant ride.

On our way home we stopped at a roadside look out

Blue Ridge Mountains with that gorgeous sky of billowy clouds

Bye for now.

😊

Natural Bridge October 2022

 October 2022 was visit to Natural Bridge in Va. I didn't get around to posting it then, so I will do that now.  October was a pleasant time to go.

More beautiful scenery along the way

Natural Bridge hotel

Lobby entrance with busts of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson called Natural Bridge "The most sublime of nature's works."

He purchased 157 acres of land plus the bridge from King George 111 of England in 1774.

Surveyed by George Washington.

taking elevator to our room

A beautiful stay in the Shenandoah valley with views of Blue Ridge Mountains

from our balcony

The building across the lot is the entrance to the bridge.

Early dinner

We had simple meal and Steve's was Cajun Shrimp and grits.     It was spicy, and he paid for that with indigestion all night.  I tried to tell him, but he never listens.  

Probably didn't help much that he had to have pizza on flat bread before.

I had the club sandwich. 

A walk to see the Natural bridge is through a tunnel under street.

After purchasing tickets, a walk down some steps to see some pretty nature and bridge

One of Virginias earliest tourist attractions.  Rockbridge County created in 1778 was named after the bridge.

John Peter Stallings was the first European to document seeing the bridge.  A captive of American Indians for 6 years and is written he probably saw it within that time.  He wrote about the bridge in his journal in 1742.

I got this info from, the bridges history.

 virginiaplaces.org/geology/naturalbridge.html

You can drive over the bridge on US 11 but cannot see it until you walk under it. 

I must say I am cautious of possible falling rock. 

Engraved marking by George Washington who surveyed the area

I tried to get a close up and tweak it some, but this is best I could get.

Hiway 11 on top. You can see fence on top in this picture. 

on our way home we always stop for a stretch at the 20 minute cliff

bye for now 😀