"The Saltville Massacre" by Thomas D. Mays

I found this unique and somewhat obscure title while shopping at the Sweet Read in Woodstock Georgia.  I was glad I found this one, as there isn't a lot out there on this battle/event.

This is a great little volume that can be read in a setting or two.  It flows well and definitely gives the reader a description of the battle, its participants and events around the battle.

In a very brief nutshell, the Union launches an attack to capture Saltville, and to control the salt being mined in the area.  Among the participants is the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry.  Of Course, the utilization of black troops was a major issue at that time.  No doubt, the white Union troops would have given them a hard time....  and so would their opponents in the CSA.

"The Saltville Massacre" gives information on the battle, and especially the events after the battle, including accounts of what happened to the black prisoners and wounded after the fight.

Thomas D. Mays writes a nice outline of the battle, and I like how there are pictures of the participants, along with nice bios on the players.  Confederate heavyweights John C. Breckenridge and Basil Duke make appearances, as does the the villainous Champ Ferguson.
 

"Images of America: Harrogate and Cumberland Gap" by Natalie Sweet

 

I picked up the Images of America book "Harrogate and the Cumberland Gap" by Natalie Sweet on our recent visit to the area.  By the way, this area is REALLY growing on me!

This is just a nice, quick read (mostly historic photos with description) about the area, and how it was established.

I was totally unaware that there was a massive resort there once!

I love the college there too, LMU is a cool place with a Col. Sanders connection!

Cumberland Gap Tri State Peak Trail July 2022

 While at the Cumberland Gap, we hiked the Tri State Peak Trail...  and we were able to stand in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky all at once!

Wilderness Road State Park Virginia July 2022

 AND, we stopped by Wilderness Road State Park in Virginia, not too far from the Cumberland Gap!

Chincoteague Ponies Postcard

This spectacular postcard, showing Wild Ponies of Chincoteague is undated and unused.  It says- The famous Chincoteague Ponies swim from Assateague to Chincoteague Island annually where they are auctioned on the last Thursday in July.  The remaining ponies swim to freedom for another year by returning to Assateague Island.  This is the only Wild Pony Round-up and Swim on the East Coast and is witnessed by thousands of visitors each year.

Chincoteague Ponies August 2015

 Back in 2015 we went to see the famous Chincoteague Island ponies!

Gap Cave, Virginia

Our main goal for visiting the Cumberland Gap area on this day was going to "Gap Cave" which was formerly known as Cudjo's Cave.

The hours are limited and seasonal.  We had tried to visit before, but could just never time things out right.

So, we arrived on a Saturday morning and waited for the ranger guide to arrive.  Other groups arrived to the small parking lot to wait.

Our guides came and each group paid their small fee (I think it was $8 each) and received an electric lantern to carry.

We had a great guide named Brittany who would lead as we took a good hike to the entrance of the the cave.  She told us about the old road that went through the area until 1996 when the tunnel was built and went into use.  The trail we were walking on was that former road used for cars...  and before that used by explorers to the area.  The park had also replanted trees in the area and they have tried to get it back to the parks earlier appearance.

We were told that the previous trees there (which were logged long ago) were huge, and it would take 6 men to wrap their arms around them.

The tour had a very primitive feel  with none of the common show cave lights.  Our lanterns were it.

The tour was listed as moderately strenuous and I felt like it was a good workout.  Brittany kept the pace reasonable though, and we stopped to discuss the trail and parts of the cave as we explored.

Our guide said that she wasn't sure if we would see bats, but we did!  In fact, we had a rare moment where one came and flew right past our group as we stood discussing the cave!  We also saw a couple of salamanders!

The cave was dark and winding but our guide said she felt like she could probably make it through without light at all!  I thought that was pretty impressive considering that there was one metal staircase we had to navigate (that rattled a bit) and the longest set of stairs was a bit of a tight squeeze.


My friend Rick was on this trip with us, and he grew up in Middlesboro.  He said that he took the cave tour, he thought in the early 90s when it was Cudjo's Cavern.  He thought that they drove up to the entrance and he did not remember the metal stairs.

Brittany told us that they did clean the cave out when the National Parks took it over.  There is, however, an issue with what is historic vs what is garbage.  Depending on the age of the trash, it might be considered historic, and they would have to leave it alone.  I did not notice any "historic trash" on our tour.

At the end of the cave tour and the hike back, the guides did spray a cleaner on the bottom of everyone's shoes to help prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats.

We would later see Brittany again at the main Cumberland Gab visitor center!  You could tell that she loved her job working for the parks!

The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton Virginia

We were able to visit the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton Virginia again!

We were here about a year and a half ago and really enjoyed taking a tour of the theater.  Inside is the Blackfriars Playhouse, a replica of the original Blackfriars Theatre in London- where William Shakespeare would have hung out!

So, we were able to catch a GREAT performance of "Much Ado About Nothing" when we stopped by.  It was a little over $80 for two cheap seats, but we agreed that it was worth it!  These guys put on a heck of a play!  AND, the actors perform acoustic versions of pop standards before the show, and during intermission!

When I say they performed the songs, they performed them.  The actors literally played drums, guitars, etc as they also sang.  I enjoyed this part of the show as much as the play.  These guys practice and put a lot into it.  With the Shakespearean costumes, and the fun the actors were having performing, it reminded me a little of the musical numbers in Shrek.

They are going for as much of a real Shakespeare vibe as modernly possible here, and it was great seeing fans sitting on the stage, actors interacting with the crowd, and talented professionals competently performing.

This is a rare, unique experience that should be on everyone's list.

Stonewall Jackson Hotel- Staunton Virginia

We were very excited about being able to spent a night at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton Virginia.

The outside of the hotel looks nice.  The main lobby is interesting.  Unfortunately, we had a bad experience here, and we will never be back.

There were actually several minor issues I could almost over look (a chaotic check in area with no bell hops available, we got the wrong room keys, the rooms are very similar to chain hotel rooms, etc).  BUT there were some other issues that were very bad.

The morning we left, we dealt with easily the rudest front desk person ever.  Briefly, we were asking about how to use our keycard to exit the building after check out.  After explaining, the person grabbed one of our two cards away, telling us that we wouldn't be needing the second one.

It was strange, this is a historic hotel.  Its not inexpensive, and most noted hotels like this pride themselves on quality and customer service.  Not here.

Here are a few historic hotels we have stayed at that are great:

West Baden Springs Hotel in Indiana

Boone Tavern in Berea Kentucky

The General Morgan Inn in Greeneville, Tennessee

Green Mountain Inn in Stowe Vermont

The Blennerhasset Hotel in Parkersburg, WV

Mill Street Grill- Staunton Virginia

While we were in Harpers Ferry, we mentioned that we would be stopping in Staunton, and SEVERAL people told us that we needed to eat at the Mill Street Grill.

This was great advice, as this is a great place, and they give you a lot of great food.  I had some delicious soup with shrimp in it, and a nice sandwich.  They bring out some bread to have with your meal too, and that was very nice.  I had a prime rib sandwich too which was great.

This was an "only meal of the day" situation for us.  We had really driven through lunch and got to town late, so we indulged here for a late lunch/early dinner and it worked out perfectly.

Cooter's Place- Luray Virginia

I have been to the Cooter's Place in Gatlinburg MANY times......  been to the one in Nashville too.....  So I was very excited to be able to visit the third one in Virginia!

Here are some pics.....  There is a Daisy's Restaurant attached to it that looked pretty cool.

I am not making this up...  "Good Ol' Boys" came on my ipod playlist as we pulled in!

New Market Battlefield State Historic Park and Virginia Museum of the Civil War- Virginia

After our visit to Lexington Virginia, we knew we had to make it to the New Market Battlefield State Historic Park at some point.

AND, at this location, is the Virginia Museum of the Civil War.

Its $10 to see the museum and to check out the Battlefield. 

We ended up spending more time in the museum than we expected!  It was very thorough!  They show a documentary on the "Field of Lost Shoes".

I mentioned this before, but the Battle of New Market is known for the fact that students from the Virginia Military Institute fought in this battle.

I really enjoyed the museums collection, as they had some very quality pieces.  I saw some uniforms and arms in great shape.

Also, after seeing the MASSIVE painting by Julian Scott in the Vermont State House, I almost feel like I know the guy.  You KNOW that I enjoyed the privilege of getting to see some more ORIGINALS of Scott's on display here.

Mt. Vernon Mansion, the Home of Washington, Mt. Vernon, Va.

The back of this unused postcard gives a great note on Mt. Vernon-

Mt. Vernon is 16 miles below Washington, DC on the Potomac River in Va.  It was inherited by Washington from his half-brother, Lawrence, in 1743, the Mansion being occupied by him shortly after his marriage in 1759.  Here he lived in dignified retirement after his terms as President until his death in 1799.  The grounds consist of 200 acres and the Tomb of Washington is here.  The entire estate is under the management of the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association who by raising $200,000 acquired it by purchase in 1860.  The restoration equipment and keeping of the rooms in the Mansion is entrusted to the women of the different States represented in the Board of Vice-Regents.  Among the principal rooms are the rooms Washington died in, the room Martha Washington died in, and Lafayette's room.

Old Tomb, Mt. Vernon, VA.

"This was the original tomb in which Washington rested until the new Tomb was constructed in 1837.  It was to the old tomb that Lafayette paid his memorial visit in 1824."

South View of Monticello, Home of Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville, VA

This postcard went through the mail in 1928!

I was there a not too long ago!  Here are my photos!

Macado's- Lexington Virginia

Macado's is a small chain of restaurant that I just discovered while in Lexington Virginia.

I actually didn't realize that it was a chain until I checked its website.  I figured it was just a nice local place!

Anyway, this was the last meal we ended up having in Lexington Virginia, making the town a perfect foodie experience.  Everything we ate while in town was perfect.

Macado's had a nice bar/sandwich shop vibe going.  And, like the other places we ate at in Lexington, the food was amazing, and the price was more than reasonable.

Lexington Coffee- Lexington Virginia

We were able to briefly stop by this funky little coffee shop in Lexington.

The place has character!

We walked by the evening before and it was closed.  There were some cute crochet coffee cups on the door, free to take!  That's pretty cool!  Yes, I took one.

The place had a vice feel inside, and we did stop by for some great coffee the next day!