Especially Good Fences

These historic-style rail fences are brand new, built by Eagle Scout Ryan Klopp with help from other scouts. This Eagle Scout project enhances the 8th Vermont Monument on Cedar Creek Battlefield.

We noticed that these fences are higher than the split-rail fences we've seen at New Market Battlefield and other places. A ranger explained that the height here is authentic and would have been tall enough to confine cattle. Most rail fences reproduced today are shorter to save money on materials.

Also read About Virginia's Snake-Style Fences

For more about the 8th Vermont Monument, see my post of two days ago. Here's a photo that Frank took there.

The monument can be reached from the park service building at 8693 Valley Pike or via Claven Lane (off Long Meadows Lane) in Middletown, Virginia.

Trout Pond Scenes in Black and White

Trout Pond Recreation Area, West Virginia

Picnic Table with Bird

Return to the 8th Vermont Monument

This monument near Middletown was re-dedicated on Saturday morning. We stopped by there later to take a look. Reenactors from Vermont were there, camping in these spartan tents like the soldiers did in 1864.

When I first saw this monument in 2009, the property was privately owned. It is now part of the new Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. Many people are still unaware that this park exists, although it is very close to the intersection of Interstates 66 and 81.

"The 8th Vermont Vols, Genl. Stephen Thomas Commanding Brigade Advanced across the Pike The morning of Oct. 19, 1864. Engaged the enemy near and beyond this point, and before sunrise lost in killed and wounded 110 men. Three color bearers were shot down and 13 out of 16 commissioned officers. Whole number of men engaged 164. Dedicated Sept. 1885.
 Gift of Herbert E. Hill"

Flowers, Flags, and a Fine Mural

The Good, The Random, and The Fun

The Good: I saw some pretty flowers this spring and remembered to take pictures of quite a few. If you are delighted by flower pictures, check out the Today's Flowers blog hop.

Not so good: Judith at Lavender Cottage has decided to stop hosting Mosaic Monday. That meme inspired me to create collages like this one. I hope someone will take it over.*

The Random: When I was at the living history event commemorating the American Revolution, some yahoo passing by in a pickup truck mistook the British flag for a Confederate flag and hollered "White Power!" I felt embarrassed because many of the re-enactors were from northern states and probably concluded that Virginia is full of racists who can't even recognize the British flag.

On the other hand, recent news stories remind us that some Brits are as ethnocentric as our backwoods boys. So perhaps the remark was not totally off the mark in equating the Union Jack with prejudice. (No offense meant to our friends in the UK.)

The Fun:  I enjoy art and on Saturday I got to see an artist at work in Strasburg.  Alice Mizrachi was putting the finishing touches on a mural behind the Emporium. I went by there again on Sunday and photographed the completed painting.

Sharing with Monday Murals

* Check out the new linkup: Floral Mosaics!

Rockland Rurality

Rockland is a small town not far from Front Royal. I've posted pictures of Rockland before but it merits some more. 

Rockland Community Church

Barns Along Ashby Station Road

Lee and his Long Shadow

Monument to Robert E. Lee near Antietam

Critter Round-Up

Lately I've been taking more "critter" photos than I've had time to post, so here's an assortment of animals and birds.

Notice that the goslings have been growing! Soon they will look like mature geese.

Seen in Woodstock, VA

Horseman in Sepia

Five Photos for Late June

1. I relish anomalies as seen in my last post. This picture is another example: Civil War soldiers at a modern festival in Winchester. By the way, there are some history events going on this weekend at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove.

2. My Town Shoot Out is celebrating Summer Joys today. I figured this fellow in an orange kayak fit the topic.  

3. PhotoFriday is looking for mountainous scenes today. All I have to do is look out my window!

4. Also seen from my window: a cute squirrel.

5. Here's a photo from 14 years ago. 

June 22, 2002

Have a great weekend!

Time Warp

As you can probably tell from recent posts, I like "Living History" events. The costumes are fun to see and photograph, and the scenes make me think what it was like to live during an earlier era.

At the recent American Revolution event, I really enjoyed a glimpse into the past. Of course, we cannot stay there, and modern life reasserts itself quickly.

No doubt the soldiers of 240 years ago did not have signage for "British Camp" and "Colonial Camp." However, I'm sure they would have been happy to have motor vehicles for hauling their gear!

The Battle of Meadow Mills

Skywatch Shot with Cannon Fire

This fictitious battle was acted out at Cedar Creek on June 5, 2016. But in our imaginations it took place 240 years earlier during the American Revolution.

The folks who staged this event did a good job and I appreciate the photo ops. See also my earlier post about the encampment.

Near Middletown, Virginia

Revolutionary Encampment

A few weeks a reenactment was held at Cedar Creek Battlefield featuring a Revolutionary War encampment and a fictitious battle. There were no actual battles in the Shenandoah Valley during the American Revolution, but there are not many places left that are suited for hosting a battle so this one was used. (It's actually a Civil War site.)

I took many photos so they are spread out over several posts, including Leading a Horse and Portraits at Meadow Mills.