Squirrel in the Glen

Do you see the squirrel sitting just above the waterfall?  This is in Winchester, Virginia, in the gardens of Glen Burnie.

Linking to: Our World Tuesday

and Camera Critters

and Nature Notes

Flowers near Staunton

Last week I drove to Staunton to meet my older daughter for lunch. She was late arriving at the restaurant so I entertained myself by wandering around the parking lot taking pictures of the flowers.

Fortunately it was a pretty day and there were plenty of flowers to see.

I can understand why Lynn was delayed. It takes longer to get dressed and take care of pets while wearing a cast! She's not complaining though because this should take care of a wrist problem that has bothered her for years. And the cast is purple!

Linking to: Today's Flowers

and Catching the Light

Cool Spring Tour, 150 Years After the Battle

When I arrived at Holy Cross Abbey for the tour Friday, I was surprised to see a hundred or more cars and a crowd of about 200 people. The topic was the Battle of Cool Spring, which took place 150 years ago.

Jonathan Noyalas of LFCC and Shannon Moeck of the National Park Service were co-leading the tour. After lectures at a couple of sites on the abbey's property, the group traveled to the other side of the Shenandoah River to continue the tour on Shenandoah University's Cool Spring Campus.

In July 1864, General Jubal Early’s army, returning from his raid on Washington, was attacked by Federal units who forded the Shenandoah River and took up positions in the woods behind a stone wall at Cool Spring farm, now the site of a quiet monastery. A violent battle ensued, resulting in the Federal units retreating back across the river.

Most people have never heard of this battle, which is known variously as the Battle of Cool Spring, Island Ford, Parkers Ford, Snickers Ferry, and Castleman’s Ferry. Although it was a Confederate victory and delayed the Union pursuit by a few days, the armies would meet again in the Shenandoah Valley, with a significant Union victory taking place two months later at Winchester.

I've taken several tours led by Prof. Noyalas, starting in April 2008. Ranger Shannon was a fellow student on some of the tours, and now gives talks and tours regularly as a ranger at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Battlefield Park.

Shenandoah River Near Parkers Ford

River Seen from Western Side 

Linking to: Scenic Weekends

Artifacts, Battle of Cool Spring

"Relics of Cool Spring" are on display this month at Shenandoah University's new campus at Cool Spring. These items were collected by Brother James Sommers of Holy Cross Abbey. After his death the collection was donated to the Clarke County Historical Association.

Knapsack parts, Chain from brass horse bit, 

Heel plates, Buckles

The university's recently acquired land was formerly a golf course, mostly in flood plain along the Shenandoah River.  New Civil War Trails Markers are now in place to tell the story of the Battle of Cool Spring, which took place 150 years ago after Confederate forces under Jubal Early attacked Fort Stevens and retreated back to the Shenandoah Valley.

See also: 2008 Post on Visit to Holy Cross Abbey

and Early's Retreat on my Civil War Field Trips site

Dog on Tour

Yesterday I attended a history tour and this fine dog was there. He behaved beautifully!

Linking to: Saturday's Critters

and Sepia Saturday

Skywatch Sunroof

My car helped me out on this shot! The location is Shenandoah National Park.

I took a vertical version as well as a horizontal. Which do you prefer?

Linking to: Skywatch Friday

and Weekend Reflections

Daylilies and White Fence

In Aldie, Virginia

Linking to: Good Fences

and Orange You Glad It's Friday

Signs in Etlan, Virginia

Etlan is a small town in in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. It's not far from Old Rag Mountain, known for it's rugged appearance and a popular hiking trail.

Antique Log Cabins for Sale

Old Raggedy Ann Antiques ... Shoes, Builders...

Linking to: Signs, Signs

Bird in Branches, Silhouette

Do You See the Bird?

Linking to: Black and White Wednesday

and Wild Bird Wednesday

and Almost Wordless Wednesday

View from Our Yard this Evening

I noticed some pretty clouds so I grabbed my camera and walked out to the lake.

Such pretty scenery! I uploaded a brief video to YouTube.

Linking to: Our World Tuesday

Views from the Picnic Grove

Blandy Experimental Farm

It wasn't our plan to go to Blandy on Thursday. Frank had expressed a desire to visit Glen Burnie in Winchester, but we were busy and got a late start. The gardens there close fairly early (4 PM) and worse, rain clouds were clearly headed in that direction. So we veered east on Route 50 and went to the arboretum at Blandy.

We had time for a picnic lunch and a short walk before the rains reached us.  It's a pretty place, situated in a portion of Virginia's horse country that's west of the Shenandoah River. I managed to get some pleasant photos which I've been posting over the last few days.

Linking to: Nature's Footstep Inspiring Photography

and Random Moments of Delight

A Bunny at Blandy

Linking to: Camera Critters

Marigolds and More

A Few of the Many Flowers at Blandy Experimental Farm

Linking to: Today's Flowers