During Easter week, Dan and Helen flew to Norfolk, VA to spend a few days with Jeannie. While Jeannie worked, we drove to Petersburg, VA to tour several Civil War battlefields. We learned all about the "Dictator" - a Union cannon used to shell Confederate batteries. Also, new to us was the Crater. On July 30, 1864, Union troops exploded a mine under the Confederate battery, attempting to create a breakthrough into Petersburg.
We also drove across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel which is 17 miles long to the DelMarVa Peninsula. Chincoteague Island was our destination. Here is a picture of Jeannie and Dan right outside our hotel on the island.
Assateague Island is the barrier island to Chincoteague Island. This is the old lighthouse on Assateague Island. It has been guiding ships since 1864.
Chincoteague Island is known for its wild horses. Legend says that these horses are descendants of those that were shipwrecked off the coast in the 1600s. These horses run wild on the island and each July, a certain number are herded to the other side of the island and sold at an auction. This island became popular from the book entitled Misty of Chincoteague. It is a beautiful area to explore.
We also toured Yorktown, VA which is the location of Cornwallis' surrendered to Washington to end the Revolutionary War. The town is very quaint and a very interesting Visitor's Center.
The South is known for its beautiful azaleas. And they were out in full bloom during our visit. After church on Easter Sunday, we walked through the Norfolk Botanical Gardens and saw such variety of colors. Thanks Jeannie for your gracious Southern hospitality!
2 comments:
Nice post. . .Petersburg was pretty interesting. . .we learned a lot about it on our Civil War bike trip.
Thanks for the suggestions on where we should go when we are out there. Looks beautiful! What a fun way to spend Easter.
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