Wordless for Halloween

Halloween in Shenandoah Memorial Park

Today I went to Shenandoah Memorial Park thinking maybe I would take a picture of Patsy Cline's grave. Then I saw this. Yes, it's a real grave. I guess the Blevins family is really into Halloween. 

After taking these pictures, I decided Patsy could wait until another day. As we were leaving, I noticed a plaque on the brick gate. 

"This entranceway is dedicated in remembrance of Patsy Cline, one of America's best beloved singers, by her husband Charles Dick, their children Julie and Randy and her family. 1963."

See my 2013 post, The Patsy Cline House. 

Random-osity Around Berkeley Springs

Good, Random, Fun

We went to West Virginia a week ago for the Berkeley Springs Studio Tour. We didn't try to visit all the studios but we did see some we hadn't seen before.

Good: We visited a blacksmith shop and I was delighted to see this fine mural.

Random: Farmers have laid in a supply of hay for the winter. 

Fun: One of these is ladies is not a real person. Frank urged me to pose here.

Bonus Image: I made a collage of other pictures from this trip.

Visit Mosaic Monday and the Barn Collective

Low Gap in October

Low Gap is at Milepost 8 on Skyline Drive. There are some tall straight trees here that I photographed before. The Dickey Ridge Trail crosses the road just north of the parking spaces.

Note the reflections in the car window and the shadows in the third photo.  You can view what other photographers are doing at  Shadow Shot Sunday, Weekend Reflections, and My Town Shoot Out.

I realize that when I mention Skyline Drive, many people think of the mountain vistas that can be viewed from the overlooks so in order to not disappoint, here's one that's a 10-minute drive from the scenes above.

Trestle at Overall Run

In Warren County, Virginia.

Black and White Weekend

Fishers Hill: Animals and a Tour

Fishers Hill is just south of Strasburg. It's mostly farmland, with a battlefield and a village both sharing the name Fishers Hill.

I've toured the battlefield several times. I'll show you a few pictures of a recent tour but first let me show you some critters for Eileen's linkup.

The tour started at Ramseur's Hill Parking Lot. Ranger Jimmy from Cedar Creek Battlefield gave us an overview of the Battle of Fishers Hill and it's place in the 1864 struggle for control of the Shenandoah Valley.

The second stop on the tour was Emmanuel Church. The ranger described the approach of the Federal Troops as they moved into position to attack Jubal Early's army on Fishers Hill.

We returned to Ramseurs Hill to view the location of the surprise attack. I've made the walk up that hill several times and did not try to hike it this time.

The Battle of Fishers Hill was a Union Victory and preceded the decisive victory at Cedar Creek which ended Confederate control of the Shenandoah Valley. 

Link: Shenandoah Valley Civil War Time Line

Is it Already Late October?

Yes, and it looks like autumn here in Virginia! I'm trying to catch up today with some miscellaneous pictures to link to Willy Nilly Friday and some other blogs.

1. Here's a picnic area in Shenandoah National Park. This was on October 14 and the leaves were just starting to turn.

2. We were back in the park two days ago. In the Pinnacles Picnic Area, we spied a green box with yellow tape around it so I investigated. Bear trap!  There was no bear to be seen though.

3. If there were an award for the best no trespassing sign, I would nominate this one!

Here's a closer look at the sign: "Beware of Rattlesnakes." Okay, I'm not even getting out of the car!

4. The traffic photo is not a particularly pretty one, but I want to make a public service announcement about it: Traffic patterns have changed in Front Royal at Strasburg Road. Be alert and prepare to stop as work crews finish up the new bridge over the North Fork. The new "quadrant" is open to traffic and it's going to take some getting used to.

Skywatch and Orange You Glad It's Friday

5. And last, something I've observed: people love nostalgia. Scan in some old photos of how your town looked years ago and share them. While you're at it, scan in some old family photos. Once they are online, you'll have access to them even if a fire or flood destroys your possessions.

Fall Comes to the Fort

Fort Valley, Virginia

Ducks in Bridgewater

Casselman's Inn and Bridge

Casselman, sometimes spelled Castleman, is the name of a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. The historic Casselman Inn is near the river in Grantsville, Maryland.

Originally built in 1842, the Inn was once a stagecoach stop along the National Road, now US 40. The present-day building was rebuilt of brick on the site of the older more modest building, which catered to livestock drovers and farmers.

We stopped there for lunch on the recommendation of Frank's brother. Our meal was okay but we missed out on the specialties of the house because of my food allergies and Frank's diabetes. No dessert for us that day!

A Half-Mile East of Greantsville is the Old Stone Bridge.

Erected 1813 by David Shriver, Jr., Sup't of the "Cumberland Road" (The National Road). This 80 foot span was the largest stone arch in America at the time. It was continuously used from 1813 to 1933.

The stone bridge is now closed to motor vehicles, although you can walk over it. It is enclosed by Casselman River Bridge State Park, a small park that basically preserves the bridge and provides a picnic area.

Most travelers miss seeing this old bridge because nearby I-68 has replaced the old National Road as the main route through the area. While I-68 is fast and scenic, the National Road is rich in history to explore.

Sharing with Tuesday Treasures and Our World Tuesday

A Mural, A Farm, and Oktoberfest

Strasburg Random-osity 

The Good: When I turned off Valley Pike to explore Locust Grove Road, I was surprised to see a pretty mural on the side of a building.

Sharing with Monday Murals

The Random: A little farther down the road we saw a nice view of a farm with Strasburg in the distance. 

The Barn Collective

The Fun: Strasburg held it's Oktoberfest on October 7. It's not a large festival but people were having a good time.

Mosaic Monday and Seasons

Lighthouse Full Gospel Church

 

This is a new church near Stephens City, VA.

Later that same day: 

Three Good-Sized Birds

Here's a Great Blue Heron flying over the lake. I cropped in on this image so that you can see him.

Next we have a beautiful barn owl. We saw him at a festival today in Berryville. He's young and friendly.

Also at the festival was a young hawk. The announcer called him red-feathered but I think he meant red-tailed. I've seen these in the wild here in Virginia.

Sharing with The Bird D'Pot 

and Saturday Critters