{"id":8523,"date":"2026-02-20T18:19:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T22:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/?p=8523"},"modified":"2026-02-20T18:19:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T22:19:42","slug":"a-visit-to-rockbridge-county-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/?p=8523","title":{"rendered":"A Visit to Rockbridge County, Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Vacations don&#8217;t always require a lot of travel time to be enjoyable!  A recent trip to Rockbridge County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was only about 40 miles from where I live, but it proved to be a wonderful mid-week getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years I&#8217;d been &#8220;to and through&#8221; Lexington, Virginia, but I&#8217;d never really explored the town, and I&#8217;d never stayed there.  For this mini-vacation we stayed at <a href=\"https:\/\/theginhotel.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/theginhotel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gin Hotel<\/a>, right on Main Street. Built in the 1920s, this historic hotel was restored and renovated by new owners in 2014.  With present-day amenities&#8211;combined with its original Art Deco design elements&#8211;it was both a comfortable and an &#8220;artsy&#8221; experience! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/00-Gin_Hotel-Lexington-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/00-Gin_Hotel-Lexington-1.jpg 610w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/00-Gin_Hotel-Lexington-1-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/00-Gin_Hotel-Lexington-1-147x150.jpg 147w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Picture from the Hotel&#8217;s Website<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We arrived well before the check-in time, so we took advantage of the very walkable downtown area to do a bit of exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01-Lexingon-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The downtown area in this historic town is alive and well, with a variety of shops &amp; restaurants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"8533\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/03-Brick_Patterns-1-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Patterned bricks on the sidewalk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"8532\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/04-Clock_Tower-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stately clock tower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/02-Gas_Lamps-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Several buildings on Main Street had exterior gas lamps!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve always enjoyed walking on the <a href=\"https:\/\/dwr.virginia.gov\/vbwt\/sites\/chessie-nature-trail\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/dwr.virginia.gov\/vbwt\/sites\/chessie-nature-trail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chessie Nature Trail<\/a> that follows the Maury River, so after leaving the downtown area we drove to one of its access points on the east side of Lexington.  The following video shows a bit of what makes this trail a special place to visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chessie Nature Trail Slideshow\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/218178838?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, there was a <strong>lot<\/strong> of mud and some very slick areas on the trail given all the snow and ice we had in late January.  Off-trail paths along the edge of the river weren&#8217;t a good option either, so we didn&#8217;t go too far&#8230;.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06-Lenny-Maury-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, we drove &#8220;up river&#8221; just a bit to Jordan&#8217;s Point Park, which was once the industrial and transportation center in Lexington: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/07-Jordan_Point-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/08-Jordan-Point-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/09-Jordan_Point-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/10-Jordan_Point-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11-Bluebird-Jordan-Point-2-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I zoomed way in to get this picture of an Eastern Bluebird at Jordan&#8217;s Point Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12-Jordan_Point-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8543\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/13-Jordan-Point-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8542\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14-Jordan_Point-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Just beyond Jordan&#8217;s Point is the Virginia Military Institute.  Usually referred to as VMI, the school was founded in Lexington, VA in 1839.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/15-VMI-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8546\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/16-VMI-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8545\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/17-VMI-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Back at the hotel, I enjoyed seeing the mix of Art Deco and modern influences in the lobby&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Lobby-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8230;but the elevators were <em>really<\/em> cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/25-Gin-Elevator-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8549\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/22-Gin-Elevator-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wow, 100 years old! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-819x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-120x150.jpeg 120w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-768x960.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-1638x2048.jpeg 1638w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/23-Gin-Elevator-scaled.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/24-Gin-Elevator-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">These controls were used by an elevator operator until 2017 when the system was modernized!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That evening we walked to <a href=\"https:\/\/nikosgrille.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nikosgrille.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Niko&#8217;s Grille<\/a> on Main Street for dinner (I had Chicken Piccata&#8211;very good!), and the next day we visited Natural Bridge State Park, which is about 15 miles south of Lexington.  While I&#8217;ve visited Natural Bridge several times over the years, this was the first time I&#8217;d been there since it became Virginia&#8217;s 37th state park in 2016.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30-Natural_Bridge-Sign-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to being a state park, this is a National Historic Landmark, as it was surveyed by George Washington in about 1750 and granted to Thomas Jefferson in 1774.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8555\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31-Natural_Bridge-sign-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"8554\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8554\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/32-Natural_Bridge-Sign-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting to the bridge involves walking down stairs. LOTS of stairs (137).  Fortunately there are interesting things to read along the way&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33-Natural_Bridge-Whte_Cedar-Sign-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s hard to grasp just how tall the Bridge is, especially from this perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the same picture as above, just zoomed in and cropped to show the size of the people in relation to the height of the bridge. So yes, Natural Bridge is massive, rising 215 feet above Cedar Creek, which flows through its opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-People.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-People.jpg 618w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-People-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/34-Natural_Bridge-People-150x120.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Legend says that George Washington carved his initials on the side of the Bridge, but there is no firm proof that the &#8220;G.W.&#8221; about 25 feet up was carved by him.  There are several other names and initials carved into the limestone Bridge on either side of the creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36-Natural_Bridge-Initials-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8560\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/37-Natural_Bridge-Initials-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8561\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/39-Natural_Bridge-Initials-Side-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/41-Natural_Bridge-Sign-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Funny to think that Rt. 11&#8211;a busy N\/S highway in the Shenandoah Valley&#8211;goes right over the top of Natural Bridge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43-Natural_Bridge-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was overcast and chilly when we were there, and Cedar Creek still had quite a bit of snow along its banks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40-Cedar_Creek-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost 2 miles up the trail from the Bridge is Lace Falls, but knowing I&#8217;d ultimately have to hoof it back to the Bridge and then <em>walk up 137 stairs<\/em> to get to the car made the thought of going to the falls a hard pass! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After lunch at Blue Ridge Deli in Natural Bridge Station, our next stop was in Glasgow, VA.  A large duck, likely a female Common Merganser, was surfing the waves of the Maury as it flowed into the James River at the confluence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8566\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/46-Maury_River-Duck-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8565\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47-Maury_River-Duck-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve always been drawn to confluences&#8211;where one river joins another river&#8211;and this has always been one of my favorite ones.  Usually the fast-moving Maury has a greenish color and enters the slower-moving and brownish James River, but on this afternoon, both rivers were moving quickly and looked almost the same, likely from the ongoing snow melt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/48-Maury-James-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Maury River (in the foreground) entering the larger James River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The wind started blowing really hard as we walked out to the confluence, and you can hear it in this short video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-0218-Maury_James-Confluence.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/49-Maury-James-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I guess it IS time for crocuses to start coming up, but I was surprised to see these delicate little beauties near the rivers! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8575\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/50-Crocuses-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8574\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/52-Crocuses-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/51-Crocuses-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53-Glasgow-Landing-James_River-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As we were walking back to the car, we heard a distant train whistle and decided to wait to see the train.  It was hauling <em>so many<\/em> coal cars, likely coming from the mines in West Virginia and heading to deep-water terminals in Hampton Roads and Norfolk on the eastern edge of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55-Lenny-Train-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8579\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/56-Maury_River-Train-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"8580\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/57-Coal_Train-Maury-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58-Train-Glasgow-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61-Train-Glasgow-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As we started driving away from the confluence, I spotted a bird hovering over the fields.  While it was too far away to get a good picture, I&#8217;m almost positive that this was an American Kestrel, as I was able to get better photographs of one doing the same thing in October 2016!  Kestrels, the smallest falcons in North America, are known for their &#8220;windhovering&#8221; ability which allows them to remain almost stationary while searching the ground below for prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Kestrel-Glasgow-2-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That evening back at the hotel, we ate dinner in the <a href=\"https:\/\/theginhotel.com\/restaurant\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/theginhotel.com\/restaurant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juniper Lounge<\/a>, and the food was absolutely amazing&#8230;.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/26-Gin-Restaurant-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was raining the next morning as we left Lexington, but we took a few minutes to drive through the VMI and Washington and Lee University campuses.  I was surprised by how close W&amp;L is to VMI&#8211;they&#8217;re literally nextdoor neighbors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/65-VMI-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;d talked about touring the W&amp;L campus to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wlu.edu\/academics\/libraries-and-museums\/art-museum-and-galleries\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wlu.edu\/academics\/libraries-and-museums\/art-museum-and-galleries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">museum and the art and ceramic galleries<\/a>, but between the rain and a sign that the museum was temporarily closed, we decided to start the drive towards home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/66-W-L-Sign-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Originally founded almost 100 years before VMI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Preferring roads less traveled to interstates, we made most of the drive northeast on rural Rt. 252 which took us through the village of Brownsburg, VA.  While it may be too small to read the sign in the photograph, it says that the community was established in 1793, and by 1835 it was a &#8220;thriving commercial hub&#8221; that was centrally located between Staunton, VA and Lexington on the stagecoach line.  There is so much history in the Shenandoah Valley!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/68-Brownsburg_VA-Sign-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our final stop was at historic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wadesmill.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wadesmill.com\/\">Wade&#8217;s Mill<\/a> near Raphine, VA.  According to the website, this mill was founded in 1750, and it is the &#8220;oldest continuously operating commercial grist mill&#8221; in Virginia. A sign was posted saying it would be closed from December through April, but I&#8217;d love to visit in the spring to see it in operation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69-Wades_Mill-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe I&#8217;ve mentioned it&#8217;s been cold in Virginia?! Look at that ice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8592\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8592\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/70-Wades_Mill-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" data-id=\"8591\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/71-Wades_Mill-Ice-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72-Wades_Mill-2048x1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There is <em>so<\/em> much to see and <em>so<\/em> much to do in Virginia, and I&#8217;m always, <em>always<\/em> thankful for opportunities to get out and explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>&#8220;The most beautiful things in life are not things.<br \/>They are people, places, memories, and pictures.<br \/>They are feelings and moments, smiles and laughter.&#8221;<\/strong> <br \/><strong>~ mysuitcasejourneys.com<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" src=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-150x113.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/35-Lenny-Sharon-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vacations don&#8217;t always require a lot of travel time to be enjoyable! A recent trip to Rockbridge County in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was only about 40 miles from where I live, but it proved to be a wonderful &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/?p=8523\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,98],"tags":[126,396,256,397,123,30,187],"class_list":["post-8523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventures","category-animals-wildlife","tag-james-river","tag-lexington-virginia","tag-maury-river","tag-natural-bridge","tag-shenandoah-valley","tag-virginia","tag-virginia-state-parks"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8523"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8608,"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8523\/revisions\/8608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/art-rageous.net\/artrageousblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}