Redbud, Bluebells, and a Bit of History.

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park.

Sharing with Fences and Willy Nilly Friday,

1. In Virginia we are currently advised to stay home except for essential work, shopping, and exercise. I like to combine my shopping trips and exercise. Few places are open right now but I watch the notices online for closures. 

2. Cedar Creek and Belle Grove have closed their museums but so far the trails off Claven Lane are still open. I've never seen that area busy except for special events, so I went there to walk. No one else was there so social distancing was easy.

3. The grass is bright green now and the redbud trees are in bloom. When I entered the woods by the Eighth Vermont Monument I found large patches of bluebells!

Friday Bliss and Flowers.

4. I've posted pictures of the 8th Vermont Monument before. It commemorates the Vermont soldiers who fought at the 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek and suffered heavy casualties in this area.

It was on private property in 2009 when I visited it on a tour. Since then it has become part of the National Historic Park and is open to the public.

Occasionally a living history event is held here.

5. Let us step out of the woods and onto the field. Now we're on one of the "Morning Attack Trails." These are basically mowed trails in the fields that were farmed until the Park Service acquired them a few years ago. There are interpretive signs to guide you.

You can see Interstate 81 but you can also see the north end of the Massanutten Range.

Skywatch Friday.

6. Signal Knob is a high point that was used as a signal station during the war.

On October 17, General Jubal Early sent John Gordon, Jed Hotchkiss, and others to Signal Knob in order to survey the Union positions along Cedar. Upon reaching the top, they met an “inspiring panorama” including a perfect view of the Union army below. Early knew that his smaller force had to know exactly where the Union weak points were, if they were to have any hope of success.