2025 June 17 ~ The Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club

Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025~ Chugga Chugga Choo Choo and welcome to a world of make-believe:  A visit to the Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club(Our first, but certainly not our last visit; aaaaaand..... this is #71 of 76 'new-to-me' experiences for this year💃💃💃). 

"The RVMRC is a non-profit club that meets every Tuesday from 6:60 to 8:30 in the basement of the VA Museum of Transportation."  Visitors of all ages are always welcome, and the weekly Tuesday night times are FREE!" 

Stepping into the Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club is like entering a miniature world where imagination meets precision. This hidden gem is a haven for railroad enthusiasts and dreamers alike. The hum of trains on intricate tracks and the warm camaraderie of club members set the tone for an unforgettable experience.

The craftsmanship of the layouts is nothing short of mesmerizing. Every detail--from the carefully weathered buildings to the tiny figures frozen in daily routines-- creates a lifelike representation of railroad history. 

We watched in awe as locomotives glided along their tracks, weaving through tunnels, crossing bridges, and passing through landscapes that transported us to another era! 

The members of the club, each with their own expertise and passion, were eager to share stories, techniques, and the rich history of model railroading. We learned about the meticulous effort behind scenery design, track placement, and even the fine are of painting weathered railcars. It was clear that this was more than a hobby----it was a labor of love. 

A sleepy town with its bustling depot, a countryside farm with grazing cattle, a towering mountain pass--all carefully crafted to spark the imagination. It was a reminder that railroads are not just about transportation but about connection, history, and the spirit of adventure. 

Our visit was more than just an exploration of model trains; it was an immersion into the magic of storytelling, craftsmanship, and community! 

ENJOY THE VIDEO BELOW!

Directions to the Roanoke Valley Model Railroad Club: "While facing the Transportation Museum, walk to the right to the end of the building, turn left and walk to the back passing the Jupiter missile. Take a left around the corner and go down the steps, through the door, into the depot."

We are looking forward to going again soon! 
 

2025 April 11~ Revolutionary War Patriot Ancestors

 GENEALOGY  WITHOUT   DOCUMENTATION   IS   MYTHOLOGY

Heritage and Honor:  Celebrating the Patriots who paved the way for our freedom!

DAR Approved💥: My Patriot Ancestors Have Officially Formed a Revolutionary Supergroup!

Well folks, hold your powdered wigs and brace your bayonets, because the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution just confirmed what I’ve suspected all along: I descend from a whole squad of Revolutionary War heroes.

It started with one. Now I’ve got four.

Introducing: The Bedford Battalion (plus a cameo from Montgomery County)

• James Trenor – My original DAR-approved ancestor, who wasn’t just in the fight—he was a Sergeant, likely barking orders, inspecting muskets, and giving serious “Get off my battlefield” energy. He lived in Bedford County and Montgomery County, which makes him both a leader and a commuter.

• Captain Thomas Logwood – A true patriot and leader in the Bedford County Militia. He brought the rank, the swagger, and (probably) the best hat in the company.

• John Chastain – The unsung hero who supplied beef from his land in Bedford County, ensuring that no Patriot ever fought on an empty stomach. Revolutionary logistics? That was his battlefield.

• James Buford – A member of the Virginia Militia’s Minute Company, always ready to roll at a moment’s notice. His motto? “Give me liberty, or give me a very fast horse.”

These men were out there leading militias, feeding troops, standing at the ready, and sergeant-ing/captain-ing their way through the Revolution. Meanwhile, I was just over here trying to decipher 200-year-old land deeds and wondering how every man in Bedford County in 1776 had the exact same name.

The Research Process: Somewhere Between a Mystery Novel and a Cry for Help

You might think that proving one Patriot ancestor would be enough. But no. I had to go full Revolutionary overachiever.🤣🤣🤣

I dug through marriage records, military rolls, court documents, wills written in ink that faded during the Adams administration, and at least one land grant that looked like it had been used as a coaster at a colonial tavern.

There were charts. There were binders. There was a spreadsheet labeled “Chastain Beef Evidence” and another called “Buford Minute Man or Just Fast Walker?”. 

Honestly, there were many occasions during this process where I ALSO FELT LIKE I WAS FIGHTING A PART OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR🤣💥🤣!

The DAR Process: Now with Extra Supplements!

James Trenor was my golden ticket—my original Patriot ancestor. But once I got that first foot in the DAR door, it was game on. The supplemental applications followed.

Each one came with more documentation, more fact-checking, and more dramatic moments where I gasped, “YES! This is the right John Chastain! He did have five cows!” 

(Just for fun, I asked MetaAI to "create an image of my Revolutionary War Patriot, John Chastain. He lived in Bedford, VA and supplied meat to the army.") Seeing these 2 created images gave me a strong sense of connection and belonging to the past. Boy, talk about stepping back in time😮😮😮! 

John Chastain holds an honored place in my heart❣️. It is through his blood line that HODAR and I can now 'verify' that we are 5th cousins. (HODAR, by the way, is Husband of a Daughter of the American Revolution. Yes, Ron Sharpley is my 5th cousin! This HODAR, bless his heart❣️, has stomped through more than his share of graveyards to help me locate tombstones (which were HIS tombstone ancestors as well!). 

Victory Is Mine (And Also Theirs)

And now? Now I get to stand tall (well, sit smugly at my computer) and say that I am officially descended from not one, not two, not three, but FOUR Revolutionary War Patriots.

I like to think of them all hanging out together in Patriot Heaven—Trenor, Logwood, Chastain, and Buford—drinking colonial cider, talking about the old days, and shaking their heads like, “She finally figured it out.”

To the average person, it’s just a stack of old documents.

To me, it’s a front-row seat to the birth of a nation—

—and a reason to wear a pin with extra sparkle. 

God bless James Trenor and his Bedford & Montgomery County adventures.

God bless the beef of John Chastain.

God bless the militia grit of Captain Thomas Logwood. 

God bless the rapid response of James Buford. 

Photos below and throughout this blog are courtesy of AI's rendition of what I suspect my Patriots resembled:👇👇👇

And God bless my printer, which barely survived this paperwork marathon.

America: officially in my bloodline—and now, proudly, in my filing cabinet.

Each of my Patriots have an assigned  Ancestor Number by the NSDAR.  And I have my own National Number as well!  Who needs a Social Security number when your ancestor personally high-fived George Washington (HA!) Oh sure, Social Security numbers are useful--for boring stuff like employment and retirement. But my DAR National Number? That unlocks secret ancestor bragging rights, the ability to judge historical accuracy in movies, and immediate entry into any colonial-themed bake sale😁. 

Keep your taxes---I've got ancestors who threw tea in the harbor and called it a party! 

2025 March 22-29 St Augustine, Florida and Crescent Beach

How do you capture all of the sites, sounds and experiences that we encountered by spending a week in the oldest city in the United States..... St Augustine, Florida? What a beautiful and historic spot! Cobblestone streets, the Castillo de San Marcos, all the Spanish architecture, beach walks, exploring old forts and museum, lighthouse.... plus the added pleasure of being with ❣️family❣️. 

Sand, seashells, seafood, sightseeing, sunrises, sunsets, siestas, sunglasses, sunscreen, Spanish, SpringBreak2025. (and of course PICKLEBALL....and the insaaaaane after-dinner game of ANARCHY PANCAKES!)

After traveling from Roanoke to St Augustine, 'first things first' on vacation was..... THE BEACH! Our accommodations for the week included sunrises on the beach, as well as sunsets on the balcony of our condo..... The Windjammer Condominiums at Crescent Beach (highly recommend)

Some of our 'party of 5' just couldn't quite get enough of the Atlantic Ocean waves and sand.......regardless of how frigid the water temperatures were. 

****Note the crowds on our 'private beach'👇👇👇

Every morning began with the breathtaking sunrises.

A mere few miles away from our condo was the Fort Matanzas National Monument. The ferry ride was FREE. The watchtower, completed in 1742, defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St Augustine. (The National Park Service contains a digital download of Ft Matanzas.) We included a lovely walk on the grounds prior to our ferry ride. 

St. Augustine was founded in 1565. "This Spanish city was a rich melting pot of cultures.....Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans lived and worked here, bringing their customs and traditions to the city." 

Because there is sooooooooo much to see in St. Augustine's Historic District, the most convenient, and easiest for us was via the OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS. "This fully narrated, hop-on-hop-off tour featured 22 stops at key attractions, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. The 90-minute loop covered over 100 points of interest"  ***Purchase the $5.00 essential guide at the visitors center. Photos and descriptions of each stop are included in the guide. 

Here are a few our our favorite stops/sights in and near the Historic District! 

The first impressive view as we drove into the historic district, was the Bridge of Lions. Two iconic granite lions, named Fiel and Firme(Faithful and Firm) grace each side of the bridge.(actually there are 4 lions from the beginning of the bridge to the end). The Bridge of Lions is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The walk across the bridge and back is 1 mile long.

Castillo de San Marcos is perhaps the largest and most memorable sight in the St Augustine area. It's rich history of being built by the Spanish to defend Florida, the oldest masonry fort in the US, is one that everyone should see.  The walk along the sea wall to the right of the fort was lovely. 

Our (photographer)friend, Carol, met us for the trolley ride and lunch. What a treat to see her! Before boarding the trolley, we stopped at the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.

The Bird of Paradise plant was blooming on the grounds of the Basilica! 

The interior was exquisite.

The Plaza Suite building next door to the Basilica, is now used for weddings and events in elegant spaces. The building is part of the Plaza de la Constitucion area that is a central part of St. Augustine. Built in 1927, this historic landmark was built as a bank, and now known at The Treasury on the Plaza. 

A few of the many sites as seen from the trolley included: Ancient City Baptist Church

Memorial Presbyterian Church

Flagler College

The famous and one of the most beautiful streets in St. Augustine (not my photo) , Magnolia Avenue

We drove by the Fountain of Youth, but decided there was no hope of anti aging for the 3 of us, so we kept on moving🤣.

And here is Pedro (Statue placed behind the fountain of Youth area). Pedro Menendez de Aviles was a Spanish admiral, who became Florida's first Spanish Colonial Governor. Aviles Street is the oldest street in the nation and the early home to St. Augustine's arts district(we did not get to see this on our trolley ride. Thus the photo is not mine!). 

Nombre deDios Mission was an unexpected visit, but well worth the time. A peaceful and serene place,  the chapel was established in 1615 to bring the Christian faith to the Native people of the land, as well as the Spanish settlers. Inside the chapel(A national Shrine) is the statue of Our Lady of La Leche(the Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary).   Included on the land is a 209-foot stainless steel cross, an 11-foot bronze statue of the chaplain of Menendez' fleet, Fr. Francisco Lopez de Mendoza.

Time did not permit a visit to the interior of Lightner Museum, but oh what an architectural beauty! The museum occupies the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by Standard Oil executive Henry Flagler.  Henry Flagler's influence on St. Augustine was beyond significant! 

Ahhhhhh. Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille......also located in the heart of Historic St. Augustine...If you know..... you GO! DELICIOUS!

Our day in Historic St. Augustine was completed by stopping at the lighthouse, at the north end of Anastasia Island. built between 1871 and 1874. The tower is the second lighthouse town in St. Augustine. (I'm obsessed with lighthouses, so I try to find one everywhere we go!)

Exploring new places and making memories with 3 of our family members ...................................... the best kind of vacation!