Part 2

After lunch, we went back to the visitors center and got the car to go to the Stonewall Jackson graveyard. As we were walking into the graveyard, there were 2 men talking and Don heard them say they thought Alaska & Hawaii became states in 1948. Don couldn't let that pass, so he told them it was 1958 - we are old enough to remember that happening. Then they asked what was the final state to join the continental US. Don didn't know that, but I did! It is Arizona, 1912. Anyway, Jackson was buried in his family plot, but later moved under the statue that was erected. What was interesting to me is that there is a Civil War Unknown soldier buried there - along with 21 other men who are named on the gravestone. The Unknown is no. 11. Funny, huh?
We drove to Buena Vista, VA, to see their river walk. Well, it was really nothing but a walking trail on top of the levee. We did go to the park and find out some of the history of the place. It was pretty nearly wiped out 20 yrs ago by floods, so they have put in levees and other controls on the Maury River so that won't happen again.
On the way back we stopped at the Ben Salem Wayside. I still haven't found out who Ben Salem was/is. IF you do, be sure and let me know. It is a beautiful, well-kept picnic area. There are the ruins of a canal lock on the property from when there was a barge canal there. In fact, Jackson was brought back to Lexington via the canal.
That night we went to dinner at Maple Hall. Now, the history of that is that we have been able to see the building and signs from the interstate for many years. It is a beautiful old home from the 1850's that is a B&B plus serving dinner. I can't tell you how many times Don has said that some day we would eat there. So now we finally have. It is very elegant, and not particularly expensive (that part was a nice surprise). We had an awesome baked brie with blackberries. The rest of the meal and dessert was good too, but that brie was something else.
While we were there, we got talking to another family who were visiting the area. They were very interesting. She travels the country lecturing on the Holocaust and has been to Knoxville. Her mother was a Holocaust survivor. And he goes to Merritt Island often as he is an aerospace engineer. We chatted about a number of things regarding the historical sites. Too bad we didn't exchange names.
But all the same we ended the day on a wonderful note. \
Oh, yeah. We found the Goodwill store and I got a new pair of sandals of $2.50! Yipee.
((Hugs))