FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA

Thursday, April 24, 2008 - We moved from Chesapeake Bay Thousand Trails park near Gloucester, VA to Fredericksburg KOA in Fredericksburg VA, about an hour-half drive and the landscape was beautiful. Ray took U.S. Highway 17, much more scenic than the interstate. The road was very narrow in spots. The park registration was difficult since we had to take a 30-amp site today and move tomorrow to a 50-amp site. Ray had to fight for the site we reserved as they had promised it to someone else who is arriving tomorrow. It is the only location where you could get the satellite as well as 50-amp service. We passed over the Rappahannock River, the tribe's namesake. This fertile region has sustained its people for more than 10,000 years. The area provides more than food; it is a source of beauty and tranquility -- even spiritual power -- to those that live here and to those who visit. Our first site in the park --- Friday, April 25 - We took our time in the morning waiting for the space we were moving to become vacant around 11:30 am. Our new location looks out over the lake. Later we shopped for groceries and checked out our surrounding area. At Rt. 17 and US-1, there are an incredible amount of stores and restaurants available. This area is exploding. Saturday, April 26 - We drove into town to take the 11:30 AM Trolley Tour of Fredericksburg. The tour guide was excellent, and he is a major history buff and answered any questions - although his story was so thorough, there were not many questions.

Memorial and gravesite of Mary Washington Beautiful homes in Historic Fredericksburg.

ORIGINAL SLAVE BLOCK PRESERVED IN DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG

MEMORIAL TO THE CONFEDERATE & UNION SOLDIERS

Monument to Hugh Mercer - Brigadier-General /Army of the US / Bravely defended the Liberties of America - Died January 12, 1777.

Monday, April 28 - We have a major rain front today and the land between the lake and us is becoming flooded. The Canada Geese couple and three little goslings my research found that the family bond begins at the nest and the Great Canada Geese mate for life. The gander has had to guard his mate and goslings several times from not only children that come too close, but from a large blue Heron. It is a lot of fun on a rainy day to watch them forage for food, or take a swim in the lake. Tuesday, April 29 - We drove in rain to see more of Fredericksburg hoping the skies would clear, and they did. We found out last night that our park location a week ago was only 60 miles from where the three tornados touched down and tore up Suffolk. It is overwhelming that we may have been there last week and if we had stayed this week to be in the midst of such total destruction. The tornado cut a swath of devastation through Driver, wiping out historic landmarks. Early estimates from National Weather Service teams suggest wind speeds may have exceeded 136 mph. The tornado struck just after 4 p.m., damaging a local hospital and wrecking nearby subdivisions and a shopping center. Over 200 people injured and 140 homes destroyed. We went to George Washington's Ferry Farm where he lived during his childhood from six to young manhood. Lying across the Rappahannock River from the old town of Fredericksburg, on SR 3 in Stafford County. The Washington family owned the farm from 1738-1774. Ferry Farm is not the actual original home as it burned down twice. The building is now a museum and the grounds show some farming and rolling hills with cleared fields. During 1732, Ferry Farm was the center of intense military activity since the ferry landing was nearby and became a strategic crossing point for the Union Army by way of a ravine that permitted armies easy access to the Rappahannock River. It was not until the Union army shifted away from Fredericksburg in May 1864 would Ferry Farm once again enjoy peace. We did not walk the grounds down to the river due to 58-degree temperatures with the north wind blowing. The Museum has documentary evidence that the farm contained several structures, including two dwellings, several warehouses, a kitchen, and at least one slave quarters. They are still digging on the land and excavating what they find. About 10,000 years ago, Ferry Farm land was inhabited by Native Americans who hunted large game. Stone spear points from this period have been found on the property. We also drove around Fredericksburg taking pictures of some of the homes we saw when we took the trolley. Historic Kenmore great house was built by Fielding Lewis (married to Betty, George Washington's sister) in 1775, on the eve of the American Revolution. The house was used as a Union hospital during the Civil War. The original plantation was over 1,300 acres stretching to the Rappahannock River. In 1922, Kenmore became a house museum and is meticulously protected to keep the 18^th-century appearance.

Fredericksburg is located just fifty miles south of Washington, D.C. The city is rich in colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War history. Its forty block historic district is home to specialty and antique shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, and inns. So much to see and so little time to see it.

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