“I sometimes think of building a little hermitage at the Natural Bridge (for it is my property) and of passing there a part of the year at least.” ~Thomas Jefferson, former owner of the Natural Bridge to William Carmichael, 1786
It has just occurred to me that the name of this blog is Virginia Views and I haven’t developed any posts with a touristic flavor. I never tried my hand at travel writing, so this may be a challenge. It’s definitely a departure from memorable meanderings around the countryside. Well, “What the heck!” That’s an old fashioned way of saying, “Take ur chances.” So, here goes!
Not far from me in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is the awesome Natural Bridge. The Bridge is an immense overpass formed by nature over hundreds of years ago. It’s old! Very Very old! I still go there (and not just because I am THAT old!). If you come for a visit, I will surely take you there too. Ha!
Popular with Europeans in the 18th and 19th centuries, the two biggest sights to see were Niagara Falls and you guessed it – Natural Bridge. The latter has even been listed as one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” and is one of the oldest tourist destinations in the U.S. I repeat, “This bridge is OLD.”
EARLY BUNGEE JUMPING
To illustrate my point, note that guests at The Bridge (before the horseless carriage – the automobile) rode on horseback or by horse drawn carriage to explore the country side. Braver guests could be lowered over the edge in a hexagonal steel cage to the accompaniment of a violinist! Talk about an exciting vacation! This could be the earliest precursor of bungee jumping!
GEORGE DIDN’T SLEEP HERE, OR DID HE?
AS the legend goes, in 1750 young George Washington surveyed The Bridge for Lord Fairfax. They say he even carved his initials on the wall of the bridge and yes, by golly, you can see them from across the creek – “GW” – Gee Whiz! That’s an old saying meaning “Wow!”
JEFFERSON OWNED A BRIDGE?
And this is not a legend. This is true. In 1774 Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land including The Natural Bridge from King George III of England for 20 shillings. Wouldn’t you love to own a bridge? It would be almost as good as owning an island. Jefferson was a brilliant fellow, that’s for sure.
BUT NEVER MIND THE HISTORY,
PICTURE THIS…
A serene nature trail along Cedar Creek goes right through and underneath the great stone archway of the Magnificent Natural Bridge! You can amble along this trail that eventually leads to the waterfall that once helped to form the bridge. It’s a lovely walk and when you look up, the tendency is to stop in awe. Like a physical blow to the gut, there is a stunned, almost overwhelming reaction to the sight of this enormous structure. You see, the creek carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain to form a natural arch 215 feet high with a span of 90 feet!
How’s this for my first travelogue? If you come this way for a visit, don’t miss The Natural Bridge!
Very nice travel article.
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Thanks Lori…
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As usual, your writing is amazing – it was informative, interesting and funny :). Now I want to go there!! Even more reason to come and visit you right Dor?
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Bring 3 pairs of socks, and two knit caps, tent and bright red jacket! If you get too cold or too hot, you can always knock on our door. 🙂 Actually, I would love to meet you Cindy… what fun that would be!
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Do you think that Virginia could handle the two of us at the same time?!?! LOL. It might get a little crazy :).
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A LITTLE crazy? I’m afraid we might get arrested! 🙂
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You did a very fine travelogue. Sounds like a fun place to visit. Let me see…when can I plan a trip to Virginia? *grin*
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As a newly favored favorite blogger, yes, please plan to visit along with a few other unmentionable bloggers! *grin* Glad you enjoyed my first travelogue and were so inspired. And thanks for taking the time to look. You are very popular, have many comments to answer, and Congratulations again on being Freshly Pressed.:)
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Nah, we would just bat our eyelashes and sweettalk them. LOL 🙂
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Looks to me like you got the travel writing down pat! Great post. As many times as I’ve been to Virginia, I’ve never been to the Natural Bridge. Gotta put it on my “To See” list. 🙂
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Glad you wrote this, Dor, because I’d forgotten that Natural Bridge is a place I’d like to revisit. I went ther with my parents and siblings when I was a young teenager. We were returning to Connecticut from our vacation to Ohio to visit my grandparents, and my da wanted to take an excursion on the way home. We stayed at an inn there that had a beautiful dining room, and we saw some outdoor play, but I can’t remember what it was about. I’d love to return with my husband. I wonder how far a drive it is from Virginia Beach?
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Yes-Yes-Yes! Please plan a return visit to my neck o’ the woods. I think VA Beach to Natural Bridge via Norfolk/Richmond is about 4 hours. Just a nice side trip maybe? Then you and I could meet in person. That would be a treat.
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Please put Natural Bridge on your To See List Mama… Then we can meet! 🙂
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🙂
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It might be four hours from Richmond, and we’re two hours from Richmond, so maybe it’s a six-hour drive. It would make a nice extended weekend.
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Bill (my husband) thinks it’s 4 hours from VA Beach to here. I will double check, but a long weekend would be great anyway. Let’s see, I shall plan an itinerary, allowing time for R&R of course. When? When?
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Probably not until the spring, Dor. George has all his vacation time scheduled for this year. I’m going to check out the mileage, though.
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Just looked it up. Google Maps says it is about four hours and forty-five minutes from here. Not too bad, but more than a day trip.
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Just you looking it up makes me think a trip may be more than just a thought! 🙂
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Spring! I will put that on my calendar now! 🙂
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I would love to meet you in person!
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Me too! Me too! 🙂
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