July 13, 2021 Day Trip Genealogy "finds"

 July 13, 2021...... a day spent 'back in-time'.

My cousin, Craig Hamilton Jr and I drove from Roanoke to Lexington to meet my sister, Judy Brownrigg. We met at the courthouse. What a treat to show both of them some of my earlier genealogy 'finds', as well as discover NEW information on land deeds and wills! (The public records room is impressively large and houses all of Rockbridge County recorded data.) 

The two of them were fascinated!

Oh, those beautifully scripted old books! What treasures!

Our research included a wealth of information regarding our paternal great-grandfather, Wilcher Cardwell Hamilton. 

From Lexington, we drove to Clifton Forge, to the house (that still stands today) where Wilcher and his first and then his second wife resided.

Our Grandfather and Grandmother, (Walter Henry and Laura Effle) also lived in the house for several years. Our aunt , Lela Cardwell Hamilton Mitchell, was born in this house! 

 

The house (at the corner of Tremont and McCormick) looked like this in about 1908.👇👇👇

What a morning! Lunch destination was Roller's Smoke House in Iron Gate (Highly recommended). The last stop was a visit to Crown Hill Cemetery, overlooking Clifton Forge. Seeing the gravesites of some of the 'Hamilton Clan' made for some interesting conversation! I had been here several times, and was familiar with  where to park close to the markers. 

History was relived as we spent the day searching for our roots. A day, indeed, was spent 'back in time'.
 

July 10, 2021 Three Amigos on Virginia country roads

 Saturday, July 10, 2021

Virginia country roads, 3 amigos, a tank full of gas, and no deadlines! What a fun day with girlfriends! I think the total designated stops included 9 places (I wish I knew how many miles were driven):

1. Fabulous breakfast on Main Street in Lexington

2. The Bread Barn in Raphine

3. The Herbery gardening store

4. The Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farm (between Staunton and Lexington)

5. Springdale Water Gardens, Greenville, Va

6. The Cheese Shop, Stuarts Draft

7. Dayton Fabric outlet

8. The Dayton Market (near Harrisonburg)

9. Dinner at TAPS at The Georges in Lexington, Va (HIGHLY recommend)

PHEW!!!!!!! WHAT DID I FORGET???

And that's a wrap...... 

We packed it in, and we'd do it again! 

July 6, 2021 Forever chasing sunsets, stars, and the Milky Way.

 July 6, 2021

One of our favorite things to do:  A Blue Ridge Parkway late-night date night! It doesn't require a lot of planning and the rewards always far exceed our expectations. Nature is like that! Our 2 destinations included Thunder Ridge overlook, and the Peaks of Otter. 

Views such as these never get old!