No matter how far or close we have to travel to the next campsite it still takes us all day to get there. The closer the campsite the more points of interest we find along the road. We passed through Hillsboro – The birthplace of Pearl S Buck. The author of the 1935 book “The Good Earth”. I feel I should read it. Anyone got a copy?
The best site today was “Droop Mountain Battlefield”. This was the site of the last major Civil War battle fought in this area, Virginia then (West Virginia now). November 1863. The Union army was able to force a retreat of the Confederates and regain control of the Greenbrier Valley and a major railway. We found old trenches and walked through the forest trying to imagine what it would be like to fight and die here. We scrambled down to a spring and drank some of the sweet cool water. I wonder if the soldiers too drank from the same spring as they advanced up the hill towards battle. The lookout tower gave one a good feel for how the Confederates must have felt while watching the enemy advance. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the learning experience. I was worried that battlefields would be rather dull.
As we have traveled south I have concluded that the primary pastime of residents in the Greenbrier Valley is to mow their lawn. With the heat and humidity it probably grows an inch a day. Most owners in the small hamlets are very yard proud and love to have neatly tended yards. Even if the house is rather run down - the grass will be neatly cut! We are seeing some history here - we passed through a town established in 1749. That is a long time ago!
We have completely missed seeing the industry and disturbance associated with coal mining. All coal mining in this area ceased many years ago and the foreests have reclaimed the land.
Driving these back roads of WV takes one past small stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Turning off the road at short notice is sometimes a challenge with this heavy camper. The boys are enjoying their treat money – thanks Lloyd. S’mores and ice creams are their biggest expense.
The best site today was “Droop Mountain Battlefield”. This was the site of the last major Civil War battle fought in this area, Virginia then (West Virginia now). November 1863. The Union army was able to force a retreat of the Confederates and regain control of the Greenbrier Valley and a major railway. We found old trenches and walked through the forest trying to imagine what it would be like to fight and die here. We scrambled down to a spring and drank some of the sweet cool water. I wonder if the soldiers too drank from the same spring as they advanced up the hill towards battle. The lookout tower gave one a good feel for how the Confederates must have felt while watching the enemy advance. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the learning experience. I was worried that battlefields would be rather dull.
As we have traveled south I have concluded that the primary pastime of residents in the Greenbrier Valley is to mow their lawn. With the heat and humidity it probably grows an inch a day. Most owners in the small hamlets are very yard proud and love to have neatly tended yards. Even if the house is rather run down - the grass will be neatly cut! We are seeing some history here - we passed through a town established in 1749. That is a long time ago!
We have completely missed seeing the industry and disturbance associated with coal mining. All coal mining in this area ceased many years ago and the foreests have reclaimed the land.
Driving these back roads of WV takes one past small stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Turning off the road at short notice is sometimes a challenge with this heavy camper. The boys are enjoying their treat money – thanks Lloyd. S’mores and ice creams are their biggest expense.
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