Friday, November 11, 2016

A Beautiful Day in Fredericksburg

November 6-10, 2016
Glen Allen, Virginia

After our usual Sunday of chores and football, Monday we head up to Fredericksburg to see some sights.

In a small area is a big amount of colonial history. We opt for the Trolley Tour to see as much as we can in the few hours we have. Waiting for our ride, we walk around the pretty downtown.


Signs of the Ho Ho Ho holiday

While nature holds out for more Fall
At the back of these long entryways


are more pretty entrances.
Diane is a wonderful guide and driver, barely taking a breath as she shares SO much about what happened by who, while living or staying where. Wow. 

The weather is perfect and there are only four others on our trolley. The wooden seats are polished and I slide back and forth at each turn :-) The open sides give unobstructed views. This was a really good idea.


Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) has an interesting history, including a Black congregation who were required by law to have a White minister. 
The open sides make for great viewing while out of the wind.
This 1700's warehouse is still four stories tall on the river side, but here the road bed has been raised over the years to the top floor.
Chatham Manor, across the Rappahannock River
The site of a prolonged battle over a bridge being built by the Union. Diane's description is so detailed I can see it all playing out in front of us. 
Can't remember who lived here, but I love the ornate porch.
Older than the house, and the Revolutionary War, this gnarly tree is still growing.
The first stately home built in Fredericksburg - For Sale today.

Washington never slept here, it's where he woke up.
No historical significance, I just like the property.
Happy to have her own seat and watch for fur buddies.
The last original street in Fredericksburg, Rocky Lane, leading to Washington Ferry
The home of Mary Washington. George's mom.


Honoring Richard Kirkland, the Union soldier who was given permission to take water across the lines to wounded Confederate soldiers.
Authored by Thomas Jefferson, and the precursor to the First Amendment, The Statute of Religious Freedom is said to have been one of his favorite works.
Fredericksburg Battlefield Cemetery
Several historic buildings proudly display their cannon balls. This one at the James Monroe Museum.
Mary Washington's grave
She's a really big deal here.
Speaking of really big, this old tree is incredible,
and part of the town's history as Diane shows us in this photo.  She has several that add to the details of the tour.
We use our trolley discount at The Virginia Deli just before they close for the day. Their sandwiches are delicious. 

Unfortunately the rest of our time here is spent doing a lot of driving on I-95. Navigating medical care 2600 miles from home is not fun, and quite stressful. I've decided to just fly back to my doctor in California rather than continue this craziness. 

We turn west toward Kentucky where Bill and Tessa will mooch-dock on friends' property. We'll make a couple stops and get out to see what we can see.


20 comments:

  1. LOVE those beautiful old buildings! What a trip they raised the road (several stories!) on one side of that old building.

    I think medical care (and health insurance in general) is the hardest part of this lifestyle.

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    1. The homes and downtown are so lovely.

      Yes, we're definitely finding that to be true :-(

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  2. Mooch-dock? I thought he was going fishing! Looking forward to your visit. I'm writing this in NY where it's cold and blustery. Looking forward to my return south.

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    1. Hehe - he should do that too!! Chilly in Virginia, looks like it's perfect at your place though :-)

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  3. This is such a beautiful area. I wish we had been there so John could have taken you on an amazing tour of the history and battle there. It is quite interesting. Glad you enjoyed the trolley tour:) We took one of our best trolley tours in Savannah. Hope all goes well in California and you get some answers. Enjoy your time with Cindy and Walter:)

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    1. Oh we would have loved seeing it with you guys, we missed the major battlefields this time. Looking forward to our time with them :-)))))

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  4. Yes, that town sure is pretty. I like the green house too :-) What a fun way to see a town, and you had it practically to yourselves :-)

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    1. It did sort of feel like "no one home" through most of the tour :-)

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  5. Trollys are a great way to get all the history. Sorry you weren't in Virginia when we were there, we'd give you the home town tour of Charlottesville including 3 oresidents' homes, the University of Virginia, some Shenandoah National park hikes and throw in John Boys house if that rings a bell. Safe travels to KY and back to your doctor. Hope he can figure this out quickly.

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    1. When we drove by Charlottesville I was thinking of the little gardens behind the wall at the University, and wishing we'd been here at the same time!

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  6. I love those Trolley Tours. You get to see so much more than what you would otherwise. Plus you get to get off at the places you're more interested in.

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    1. We could come back to them, but this was a no stop tour. Unfortunately we didn't give ourselves enough time to do that this time :-(

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  7. A good tour guide makes all the difference and although this Trolley Tour sounds great I'd love to go with Pam and John, or Sherry and David. Hope you get help at your CA Dr.

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    1. Yep,those personal tours with friends are the very best. Sure hoping that as well!

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  8. What a beautiful area so full of history. We haven't done a Trolly Ride...this would definitely be the place to enjoy one though.

    Hope all goes well...

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    1. As is often the case, the guide really made it great. Every block has something interesting, and there is very little signage away from the battlefield and cemetery for walking.

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  9. Oh Jodee, I didn't know that you had some health issues going on! (I'm still not getting email updates for your blog, even though I've signed up again.) I'm hoping you'll get some answers quickly and that all is well. It looks like you had a wonderful time in Fredericksburg. We've never been there, but I'd love to go after seeing your photos. I laughed at your description of sliding back and forth on the polished wooden benches of the trolley. :-))

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    1. All is well and I'm back in KY. I would love to spend a couple days in Fredericksburg -ther so much to see !

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  10. Enjoying catching up on your adventures.

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    1. Hey Russ! Hope we can meet up in the southwest this coming year :-)

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