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Built in 1931, the through truss-built bridge in Hiwassee, Virginia—once owned/operated by the Norfolk & Southern Railroad—is now a crossing for New River Trail hikers/cyclists. The trestle structure spans 951 feet over the beautiful New River.
(NDL9130)
EXPLORED: #133
Last one from Dark Hollow Falls. I actually prefer this one to the other two. I couldn't stay here and play because of the intermittent rain, but the next time I go out here, I'm going to see if I can get a bit closer and more to the left of the falls to get what I think will be a better angle.
I wanted to get the very top of the falls in the frame, but the sun being very high in the sky made the contrast a bit too much.
Thanks for viewing!
:)
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Another from the foggy morning a couple days ago.
Let me know what you think
For our 15 Anniversary we did an outing here.
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge is a geological formation in Rockbridge County, Virginia, comprising a 215-foot-high (66 m) natural arch with a span of 90 feet (27 m). It is situated within a gorge carved from the surrounding mountainous limestone terrain by Cedar Creek, a small tributary of the James River. Consisting of horizontal limestone strata, Natural Bridge is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the Cedar Creek once flowed.
Natural Bridge has been designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Since 2016, the bridge and its surroundings have been managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as Natural Bridge State Park.
History
The Natural Bridge was a sacred site of the Native American Monacan tribe, who believed it to be the site of a major victory over pursuing Powhatans centuries before the arrival of Europeans in Virginia.[5]
In March 1742, a frontiersman named John Howard — along with his son and others — was commissioned by Governor William Gooch to explore the southwest of Virginia as far as the Mississippi River. The party followed Cedar Creek through the Natural Bridge, then floated in buffalo-skin boats down the New, Coal, Kanawha, and Ohio rivers to the Mississippi.[6]
It is alleged that George Washington also came to the site in 1750 as a young surveyor.[5] To support claims that Washington surveyed the area, tour guides claim the initials "G.W." on the wall of the bridge, 23 feet (7.0 m) up, were carved by the future president. Legend also has it that George Washington threw a rock from the bottom of Cedar Creek over the bridge. In 1927, a large stone was found, also engraved "G.W." and bearing a surveyor's cross, which historians accepted as proof that he indeed surveyed the bridge.[5]
Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres (64 ha) of land including the Natural Bridge from King George III of Great Britain for 20 shillings in 1774. He called it "the most Sublime of nature's works". Jefferson built a two-room log cabin, with one room reserved for guests, beginning its use as a retreat. While President, in 1802, he personally surveyed the area. Many famous guests stayed here, including John Marshall, James Monroe, Henry Clay, Sam Houston, and Martin Van Buren.[5]
Natural Bridge was one of the tourist attractions of the new world that Europeans visited during the 18th and 19th centuries. Vacationing guests from all over the world took day trips from Natural Bridge on horseback or horse-drawn carriages to explore the countryside. In 1833, a new owner erected the Forest Inn to accommodate the increasing number of people.
The bridge had considerable notoriety during the 19th century. Herman Melville alluded to the bridge in describing Moby-Dick: "But soon the fore part of him slowly rose from the water; for an instant his whole marbleized body formed a high arch, like Virginia's Natural Bridge..."[8] William Cullen Bryant, another American literary figure, said that Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls were the two most remarkable features of North America.[9] During the 1880s Natural Bridge was a resort owned by Colonel Henry Parsons, who also owned the nearby Rockbridge Inn.[10]
In 1927 a nocturnal lighting display of the arch and gorge was designed by Samuel Hibben and Phinehas V. Stephens, illuminating engineers with the Westinghouse Company.[11] The display was formally switched on by President Calvin Coolidge in a 1927 inaugural ceremony. The original display has since been replaced with a sound and light show depicting the biblical seven days of the Creation as described in Genesis.
In 2013, nearly 1,500 acres (6.1 km2), including the bridge, were slated to be sold at auction. To prevent piecemeal development of the landmark, the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund (VCLF) purchased the bridge, hotel, and surrounding land for $9.1 million, made possible by a loan from the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund. When the VCLF soon found itself unable to make payments on that loan, the Commonwealth of Virginia offered to manage the property as a Virginia State Park.[12][13]
Natural Bridge State Park
Lace Falls on Cedar Creek in Natural Bridge State Park, Rockbridge County, Virginia.
Natural Bridge State Park officially opened on September 24, 2016. As a state park, the property is managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, although it remains owned by the VCLF; it is the only state park operating on privately owned land. The property will be transferred to state ownership after the original loan has been paid in full. VCLF continues to both own and manage the nearby Natural Bridge Hotel and Natural Bridge Caverns.[12][13]
Visitors must purchase tickets to view the bridge from below, although the park's fees under state management are about half what had been charged under prior ownership.[12] U.S. Route 11 (Lee Highway) runs on top of the bridge, but protective fences make it difficult to see anything besides the roadway.
The state park includes several long-standing attractions, including the trail under the bridge and along Cedar Creek, a recreation of Monacan Native American housing, and the 30-foot-tall (9.1 m) Lace Falls.[14] The "Drama of Creation" light show continues to be shown in the evening, after the state park is technically closed.[12] One change under state ownership was the removal of Foamhenge, a full-size replica of Stonehenge made entirely out of styrofoam that was formerly located on the property. The attraction was moved to Fairfax County after it was determined that the art installation did not fit with the state park's mission.[15]
The new state park was designated an "Affiliated Area" by the National Park Service in 2016. The designation does not imply ownership or management by the federal government, though it does allow for their technical and financial assistance.[13][16]
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Bridge_(Virginia)
The green leafy points of the Duchman's Breeches(which have bloomed like crazy near the Shot Tower and Foster Falls) grab on to these little drops of water before the warm sun drys them up.
On the southern tip of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Last stop before the 26 mile Bay Bridge/Tunnel
I took a short break during a bike ride to photograph some cool rocks and big clouds on the New River Trail in between Fries(pronounced 'freeze') and Fries Junction.
This spot is actually very close to Fries Junction, which is where the Chestnut Creek part of the trail meets up with the main section(you can see the trestle crossing the New River in the distance on the left).
I used my ten-stop filter to smooth out the water in the foreground.
The marsh mallow plants along the water were blooming everywhere and it is so interesting to see how they cluster together when they grow. There were pink blooms and white blooms.
November 2022. Delaplane Virginia. This 1,860-acre park has scenic views, woodlands and the rolling pastures of a historic farm that captures the colonial through modern life of the Crooked Run Valley.
After a short paddle from the Byllesby boat launch, you pass the big Fries Junction New River Trail trestle and arrive at this awesome campsite called Double Shoals.
A Sunset from a Rocky Point in Grayson Highlands State Park.
See more from this day by clicking HERE
About Taylor Pond and the Area
Taylor Pond is a freshwater pond and surrounding natural area within Kiptopeke State Park, located at the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore near Cape Charles. The pond and its 26-acre tract are situated along trails like the Raptor Trail and Taylor Pond Trail and are valued habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and nature observation. The pond features wildlife viewing blinds and native plantings that attract a variety of species, especially during migrations along the Atlantic Flyway.
B
Origin of the Land and the Pond’s Name
The land that includes Taylor Pond was not originally part of Kiptopeke State Park when it opened in 1992. In late 2009, the park expanded when the state acquired a 26-acre parcel adjacent to the existing park grounds. That acquisition was made possible thanks in large part to funds contributed by James Taylor and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM). The donation helped preserve the land for wildlife habitat and public enjoyment within the park.
Because of this involvement, the pond and surrounding area are named Taylor Pond in honor of James Taylor (and his support) rather than for any geographic or historic use. James Taylor is known both for his music and his interest in nature and birding, and his contribution reflects support for conservation and public access to natural areas.
Ecological and Recreational Value
Today, Taylor Pond stands out as a freshwater feature in the park’s mix of habitat types. It attracts a variety of birds, from warblers to waterfowl and raptors during seasonal migrations, and offers visitors an accessible trail and viewing opportunities close to other park attractions like beach access on the Chesapeake Bay.
I guess I should be happy with the conditions I had the other night up on Wilburn Ridge near Grayson Highlands State Park.
I did just kinda sit up there in the howling winds for a while hoping it would clear, and this is about as much visibility as I would get.
On my way down it got dark REAL fast with the thick fog rolling in, and turning on my headlamp wasn't much help as it only lit up the fog in front me, needless to say, it was sloooow going on the way down.