Natural Bridge, Virginia

A KOA campground near Natural Bridge was our stop for two nights so that we could visit with Lorna and her sister Olive who retired there.  Lorna and Gerry worked together at the Navy Annex several times over the years.   What a surprise to discover that Lorna is an avid scrapbooker.  She has 4 or 5 books done of her years in government service and we just happen to appear in a few pictures here and there.  Gerry enjoyed looking through them even more than me, probably because he knew so many of the people in them.

Lorna checks out my scrapbooking            Gerry & Olive         Gerry checks out Lorna's scrapbooks

We had to take time out to see the natural phenomenon the town is named for.  What a beautiful sight.  The bridge is 215 feet high (55 feet higher than Niagra Falls), 40 feet thick, 100 feet wide and spans 90 feet between the walls.  Lee Highway, U.S. Route 11 still crosses over it.

Natural Bridge           Pathway to the Falls          Lacy Falls

Lorna & Olive took us into Lexington, Virgina for a little sightseeing.   The gentleman who took us on a carriage tour of the city was very knowledgeable.  History is his passion and he is also a re-enactor in Civil War events in the area.  Stonewall Jackson's home is there and he was buried in the cemetery following his death from "friendly fire".  He never recovered from a serious gunshot wound.  Our tour guide provided heartwarming insights into some very memorable characters from that era.  We drove through The Virginia Military Institute and took a quick look in a few of the buildings.  

Jackson Home        Virginia Military Institute

Lorna took us out to meet a friend of hers from church who lives in a home that has been in her husband's family since 1868.  Becky gave us a wonderful tour of the house.

Family Home        Becky & Lorna

Not far from Natural Bridge is the Virginia Horse Center, a facility new since we lived in the area.   We had to stop and check it out.  Up to 800 horses can be stables there for an event.  Practice was underway for the Bonnie Blue National.

Barns, Stables & Arenas          Main Show Barn          A Beautiful Gray