Author Dee Litten Whited and best friend Julie Ritterskamp prepare to tube the James River.
Shopping in downtown Lexington includes many art-filled shops. Credit: Chris Weisler
Our highlight in Lexington happened right outside the visitor center, where we booked a tour with Lexington Carriage Company. Not only was the ride out in the open air delightful, but our tour guide gave a very comprehensive historic tour of the town. We learned so much more than we could ever have found in a guide book. We drove past Stonewall Jackson’s home, past VMI, and Washington and Lee, learned about the different famous homes we passed, and stopped for a moment at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery where the Jackson family was buried. Also buried there are 144 Confederate veterans and two governors of Virginia. In a bizarre event, Jackson is really buried in two places—his amputated left arm has its own separate burial site from his body. Jackson was accidentally shot in the arm by his own troops during an 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia, causing the need for the arm to be removed. Although Jackson’s body is buried in Lexington. His left arm is buried more than 100 miles away in Chancellorsville, Virginia. As a home-grown Virginian, I am biased, but I believe that any time you spend exploring Virginia is well-worth the time and effort. For more places that prove that Virginia is for lovers and adventurers, visit www.virginia. org.
Catch the downtown carriage ride outside Lexington’s Visitors Center. Credit: Chris Weisler
FOR MORE INFORMATION Natural Bridge State Park: naturalbridgestatepark.org Lexington: lexingtonvirginia.com Monacan Indian Village: www.virginia.org/Listings/Museums/ MonacanIndianLivingHistoryExhibitatNaturalBridge Twin River Outfitters: canoevirginia.net Humpback Bridge : www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/ HumpbackBridge Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farm: www.tantivyfarm.com Carriage tour: www.lexcarriage.com/historical-tours.html
NATURALLY VIRGINIA
COAST TO COAST FALL MAGAZINE 2020
18
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