20 May 2007 Into the Valley

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Into the Valley

On May 19th, I left Stribling Springs at 9:00 am. I met Mr. and Mrs. Clinedinst. Mr. Clinedinst was planting peppers. Mrs. Clinedinst offered me a glass of iced tea. Since it was early, I declined her generous offer. Young Master Clinedinst, driving his tractor invited me to his barbecue, later that afternoon. A passerby told me of the Halston House. Halston was a soldier who wrote letters home during the War. Saw some young groundhogs (but forgot to get photos).

John Mann, Sr. of Mount Solon flagged me down and gave me $3 for battlefield preservation. Nice gentleman.

As I crossed the North River, a driver asked if he could take a photo. As I was planning on reading the Virginia Civil War Trails signs there anyway, I was happy to oblige. His 80 mother and father posed with me and we chatted about the crossing. The African Pioneers built the bridge over which the Army of the Valley District crossed. I was met in Bridgewater by Dan Wright of the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record. He wanted to do a follow-up and the story will run Monday.

I stopped at the Bridgewater Turnpike monument.

On May 20th, I started there at 8:00 am. I made it to Harrisonburg by 11:00 am. Took a photo of the spring house on the court house grounds. Jackson had his men drop knapsacks there, which they took to mean rapid marching. I did not drop mine. Pete Marovich and Jenny Jones met me at a cemetery north of town for an interview for an on-line article they are producing. Susan turned up just when needed, with Gatorade and food; a very welcome appearance.

I kept track of my progress by looking at Massanutten Mountain. This helps with the motivation because progress is obvious.

I reached Mauzy around 5:00 pm, very tired, having walked 17.3 miles. Tomorrow, I will cross my final mountain (Massanutten).