Sorry that it has taken so long for me to write these updates! We have been very busy. I have to make this short, as I am tired and are all ready to go to bed.
Day 4:
(Still in Richmond) We visited Tredegar Iron Works, where much of the Confederate's cannon power was manufactured. We also toured the Confederate White House where Jefferson Davis and his family lived during the Civil War. Afterwards, we went to a massive mansion that was nearby Richmond. It was huge and very opulent. Mom and I got to do a tour of the house and grounds.
Day 5:
(Leaving Richmond) We visited Cold Harbor, a battlefield in the Civil War during 1864. 15,000 men were either wounded or killed there, 2/3 of which were Union. We walked 2 1/2 miles through the walking tour. It was one of the coolest battlefields that I have seen. Everywhere we walked were original trenches dug by Union and Confederate soldiers. Some were very visible and others were tucked away in the forest. The Battle of Cold Harbor was the first time that trench warfare was used in the United States. The battle lasted two weeks, and much of the battlefield is still intact.
Afterwards, we drove south to Yorktown Battlefield. This is the place where the final major battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. We got to hear a park ranger speak (One of the best ranger talks that I have ever heard.) as well as do a car tour throughout the battlefield. We saw where the British earthworks, the French Lines, the American Lines, as well as several of the batteries. We also got to see Redoubts #9 and #10, two of the most famous parts of the battlefield. Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette planned and executed attacks on the two small forts. The fall of the forts caused the fall of Yorktown. Finally we got to see the place where the British and German forces surrendered. Afterwards we stayed in Yorktown.
Day 6:
(Leaving Yorktown for North Carolina) Today, we drove from Yorktown to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We stopped to see Kitty Hawk and the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright flew the first airplane. It is constantly windy here, and you can see why it was a good place to practice flying. After visiting the park, we headed to the northern area of the Outer Banks, to our hotel. It is right on the beach, and it is just a two minute walk over a large dune to the beach. The three boys spent several hours in the water this afternoon, dodging waves. It is really pretty here.
Now I'm caught up! In the future I will try to be more regular in my posting. we are staying here through Wednesday morning, before we head to Washington DC for the convention of the National League of POW/MIA Families. Thanks for reading!
JM
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