Natural Bridge was a beautiful place, full of history and nature. The park sits on land that Thomas Jefferson purchased from King George III in 1774. It was a place that he once had a log cabin on and went to for solitude. The land was surveyed for Thomas Jefferson, by George Washington and there are places where his initials and a surveyors cross are chiseled and can be seen today. That was really neat to see something that was carved into stone by one of our Founding Fathers!
The Bridge is about 90 feet long and 150ft to 50 feet wide. It is between 200ft and 300ft tall. The Cedar Creek runs under it. We walked a nice trail around the park, that followed the creek.
During the Revolutionary War, the Bridge was used to make lead bullets for the colonist to use against the British. They would drop molten lead from the top of the Bridge. Gravity and the distance traveled would shape the drops into spheres which would harden once they hit the cold water of the creek below.
It was a really warm day, but fortuanately the trail is well shaded by many trees. Caleb was lucky enough to get to ride the whole way. He loved the higher view and his sisters hat.
Along the trail is a recreated Monocan indian village. There were historical actors in the village to answer questions and share information about the villiage. It was very interesting, one of the woman was a descendant of the Monocan tribes from this area. It was neat to hear her tell stories that had been passed down through her family about life long ago.
Playing a child's game with corn cobs, similar to darts.
Items they used to make and trade. The baskets are woven of pinestraw and reeds from the creek.
The flint maker. He showed how they made, tools, arrows, and cooking utensils from the wide variety of rocks and limestone in the area.
Our friends and Lauren and Hannah walking along. The girls had fun walking on the stone wall along the creek.
A blue tailed skink
a Walking stick and this guy hanging out in a tree. Can you see him? We saw this twice as well as seeing them in the water near the end of the trail.
Did you see the snake......wrapped around the branches.
The Bridge is about 90 feet long and 150ft to 50 feet wide. It is between 200ft and 300ft tall. The Cedar Creek runs under it. We walked a nice trail around the park, that followed the creek.
During the Revolutionary War, the Bridge was used to make lead bullets for the colonist to use against the British. They would drop molten lead from the top of the Bridge. Gravity and the distance traveled would shape the drops into spheres which would harden once they hit the cold water of the creek below.
The Creek is bordered by large clumping of wildflowers at the waters edge.
It was a really warm day, but fortuanately the trail is well shaded by many trees. Caleb was lucky enough to get to ride the whole way. He loved the higher view and his sisters hat.
Along the trail is a recreated Monocan indian village. There were historical actors in the village to answer questions and share information about the villiage. It was very interesting, one of the woman was a descendant of the Monocan tribes from this area. It was neat to hear her tell stories that had been passed down through her family about life long ago.
Playing a child's game with corn cobs, similar to darts.
Items they used to make and trade. The baskets are woven of pinestraw and reeds from the creek.The flint maker. He showed how they made, tools, arrows, and cooking utensils from the wide variety of rocks and limestone in the area. Traditional house, that would sleep 12-15 people around the fire pit.
My big girl taking a seat in the meeting house.
Our friends and Lauren and Hannah walking along. The girls had fun walking on the stone wall along the creek.We saw quite a few critters, mostly of the insect kind - beautiful butterflies, this walking stick and also lizards, crayfish, frogs........
A blue tailed skink
a Walking stick and this guy hanging out in a tree. Can you see him? We saw this twice as well as seeing them in the water near the end of the trail.
Did you see the snake......wrapped around the branches.This is the opening to the Lost River. It goes to an underground river, whose source is unknown. It was amazing because you could hear the water rushing from somewhere else, before arriving at this opening. And it smelled crisp and fresh, the water was quite cold and clear, which felt great on this hot day.
This is the opening to a saltpeter cave. The saltpeter from this cave was used during the War of 1812 and also during the Civil War to make gun powder.
The kids just had to dip their toes in the creek, the water was just too temptin.
This is the opening to a saltpeter cave. The saltpeter from this cave was used during the War of 1812 and also during the Civil War to make gun powder.
The kids just had to dip their toes in the creek, the water was just too temptin.
1 comment:
Love your photos! This looks like a really fun trip! Maybe we'll make it there one day. :-)
Hope to see and talk to you soon!
Love,
Leslie
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