High Bridge

My last post on our visit to Appomattox, VA.  From the bed and breakfast we headed east to Farmville to visit the High Bridge - a railroad bridge that Lee's forces tried to destroy to keep the Union forces from following them.  It didn't work, another failure that led to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

We arrived in Farmville only to discover that the bridge was outside of town.  The railroad bed has been converted to a trail and is now a 30 miles rails to trails park called High Bridge Trail State Park. In downtown Farmville without bikes it would have been a 3.5 mile walk to the bridge.  Instead we drove to the next parking lot where it was just under a mile to the bridge.

It was a beautiful morning, low humidity and though it would eventually be a hot day, it was perfect weather for walking.

The bridge spans the wide valley made by the Appomattox River.

This isn't the original bridge that Lee's infantry forces crossed.

There is evidence of that one when you look over the railing.

The artillery and calvary would have crossed through the valley and then over a wooden bridge, long gone.

At several points there are overlooks where the railing is lower but I still found it easier to see by standing on the benches.

People walking the bridge were very friendly.  One man we spoke to had work on the renovation of this bridge.

Here's the Appomattox River.

The bridge is a half mile in length.

It was a nice 3 mile walk round trip.

See related posts here and here.

Lovettsville, VA Church

We stopped in this town on the way home from Appomattox, VA last weekend.  My husband's maternal grandmother was a Lovett.  We don't know how the town got its name or the connection to her family.  I'll have to do some digging.

Joining Inspired Sunday.

What's This? (6)

What was that red thing I saw?

Ah, it's a shoe.

The old shoe factories in Lynchburg, VA are being repurposed.  In this case a hotel and a restaurant.

Other old warehouses are becoming apartment complexes.

Even an old statue has been redone.  

The water bearer.

It's an inviting spot that should catch on soon.

Flycatcher and Other Wild Things

My camera has great zoom.  I was sitting at the dining room table having lunch yesterday when I noticed this flycatcher on top of the tuteur in the Perennial Garden.  I haven't seen this bird all summer.  He or she was busy looking all around for bugs.  It left once briefly and captured one.

 

And then as I was typing this, who should appear but the resident ground hog.  Isn't it huge?

I don't mind it keeping the grass clipped, but when it ventures into eating other plants I do mind.  I'm stuck with it for now and probably for all winter under my deck.

Finally, the hummingbirds are draining the feeder more quickly at this time of year as they stock up for their trip south.  Won't be long before they disappear.