Nature

While we were out and about in Appomattox Court House, we came across some nature trails behind Lee's headquarters. Of course we had to explore! We didn't last long though. I walked through three spider webs and Husband walked through one. After that, we were both ready to turn back. I am pretty sure I can still feel webs on me today! *Shudder*

Husband's amazing eyes spotted this little guy hidden in a log. Can you tell what it is?

It's a frog! Peek-a-boo!

Funnel spider web

There were spider webs everywhere!

This turtle was walking along on the path (Not sure what is hanging off his chin. It looks like a spider web, which wouldn't surprise me since there were about a million webs around)

Of course Husband had to pick it up because he is a boy and picking up reptiles is in his DNA. If he had been able to get to the frog, he probably would have picked that up too!

I think this might be a painted turtle, but since the only turtles I am familiar with are the Ninja turtles, I really don't have any idea. Anyone know what type of turtle this is?

This turtle was sunning himself in the trees just off the trail

Look! Autumn! This year I don't have to drive three hours to find it!

Where the country was reunited

Virginia is chock full of historic sites from the American Civil War. This weekend we decided to visit Appomattox Court House, the place where the Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, thereby ending the Civil War. We were a bit confused by the name "Appomattox Court House" because we thought it was a building. In actuality it was a village that served as a stopping place for people traveling between Lynchburg and Richmond. The village has been reconstructed and turned into a National Park. Appomattox is known as the place where the country was reunited because of the surrender that took place there. You can read all about it on wikipedia if you want to learn more.

The village general store

Some of the village buildings

The road upon which the Confederate Army retreated

Grave of a Confederate Solider in the middle of a field.

The McLean House: It was in the parlor of this house where General Lee officially surrendered. The parlor was aptly renamed The Surrender Parlor following this historic event.

The desk General Grant sat at during the surrender proceedings

The desk General Lee sat at during his surrender

Me and an old barn

General Lee's headquarters

At the site of General Grant's headquarters

This unknown Union soldier is buried with 18 Confederate soldiers. Of the 19 soldiers buried in this Confederate cemetery, 12 are unknown.

Two Confederate graves