We jumped in the car yesterday no later than 1 p.m. with a last minute plan to see part of Virginia's Hunt Country, the green rolling hills of Northwestern Virginia where fox hunts were traditionally held and where polo and horse stables are still so common.
We went first to "the Plains of Manassas" where two major Civil War battles were fought one hundred and fifty years ago.
The first and second battles of Bull Run spread across this beautifully pastoral landscape. It was a hot, humid, beautiful Virginia day, perfect for quietly traversing hallowed ground. We read the interpretive signboards, listened the cell phone tour, and walked the mile-loop from from the Henry Farm to the Robinson Home and then back to the visitor center.
Robinson's Lane, where Hampton's South Carolinians tried to stand their ground.
The Henry Farm, at the dead center of the battlefield.
Living here in the East has given us insights into the dynamics of historic violent conflict. Each time I visit a battlefield I am full of gratitude that I don't know these things firsthand. This time I was struck by how war robs families of time with loved ones, others lose legs, health, houses, crops, innocence and hope.
And yet others become heroes, icons of strength, in these settings.
And somehow at the end of this all our nation remained united. Perhaps that's the greatest miracle of this war, the greatest evidence that God was in its workings.
We stopped in Middleburg (est. 1731) on the way home. It's quiet, immaculate main street was charming and I was determined to photograph every cool door and church.
Until I realized there were too many, and then I just enjoyed the stroll. Our kids (who aren't into the symmetry of colonial main street architecture) were less impressed but exercised endurance, and so we rewarded them with our favorite (so far) Virginia ice cream on the way home. Moo Thru! Ice cream at 7:30 p.m in ninety degrees?
Oh, yes, please!
Peach, blackberry, peanut butter cup, and cake batter. We can recommend them all.
4 comments:
You could write a book. I guess you are, as a matter of fact. You're family's book. This touched me.
And, Joshua's up to three scoops.
Love it!
please frame that ice cream photo. too too great
Managing three scoops in ninety degrees takes a lot of talent! Go Joshua!
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