Signs, Signs & A Good Fence @ Sparks Cemetery

click on photos to enlarge
Yesterday was so nice out so the boys wanted to I wanted to go to the Booker T Washington National Park and walk the trails. We picked up some sandwiches and picnicked outside the park then started on the Jack-O-Lantern trail:

Click Here for interesting info on the trail and how it got its name.

Towards the end of this trail, coming up the ridge I saw this:

I have never seen this little cemetery before so I had to investigate!

This little marker was the only one I could barely make out:

The only words I can see are "Sid Dide August 1823"...I think...

I was going to ask about the cemetery in the park's visitor's center but they were busy with a large group so I just came home and Googled it. Little is known about the cemetery, but oral tradition has it to be "Sparks" and perhaps having been a slave cemetery. It was in use before the Burroughs purchased the property in the mid-nineteenth century.

Some interesting reading Here and Here

I've shown you around Booker T before HERE

Linking with Tex's Good Fences & Signs, Signs

National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

click on photos to enlarge

"We claim this ground in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001.
To honor the 184 people whose lives were lost, their families, and all who sacrifice that we may live in freedom.
We will never forget."

The youngest victim . 3 years old

For more information on the memorial Click Here

Tuesday's Treasures - Goochland

click on photos to enlarge

Springfield Baptist Church . circa 1882

This old church was in the way of developement and slated to be bulldozed until the Henrico County Historical Society saved it. It, along with the next 2 buildings were relocated to the Goochland Fairgrounds and are now part of the Field Day of the Past festival. This looks like a fun festival that I need to attend!

Circa 1930's

Here's a few interesting links with info and pictures of these structures:
Henrico Historical Society Lost Architecture

Field Day

Springfield Baptist Church

Field Day of the Past

Linking up with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures

Through My Lens - The Cherry Blossoms

click on photos to enlarge

My best friend from San Diego whom I have been friends with ALL my life, was in DC this week on a field trip with her son and his 8th grade class. With her being so close, we drove up for a short visit, and to see the Cherry Blossoms!

Our normal 3.5 - 4 hour drive to DC took us 6 hours. We were wondering what was up with all the traffic.

3 words: Cherry Blossom Festival. That's why all the traffic. And all the people. I have never seen DC so crowded. I want to say there were millions wandering around but I tend to exaggerate so I'll just say, "many thousands of people". Driving, walking, standing...ugh...I don't like big crowds. It was hard to move around, it was hard to take pictures.

But look at all those beautiful blossoms!

We wanted to walk over to the Jefferson Memorial but....

quickly changed our minds. It's stressful walking through millions thousands of people.

These people had the right idea.

Because of the crowds, we decided to just leave our vehicle parked at the hotel and use the metro to get around. That was fun, and easy...well, easy once you figured out how to use it, which I never did understand...thankfully Nick caught on quick!

Our ride back home ended up only taking us the normal 3.5 hours. Next time we come up to see the Cherry Blossoms it will not be during the festival that's for sure! But my visit was more about seeing my friend, which we managed to catch up in the hotel lounge and talk for a while & had breakfast together the next day before she was loaded back on her bus for more sight seeing!

Linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens

For more info on the Cherry Blossoms CLICK HERE

Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 76

click on photos to enlarge
From the boys track meet yesterday @ Read Mountain Middle School:
1)

Braden

2)

Dalton
Watching the hurdle jumps is my favorite event.

3)

Pretty views from their school.

4)

I liked these colorful cones!

5)

And 1 of Ozzy :)

That's it for me this week. Again I am sorry I haven't been a good visitor but time is slipping away from me...I swear there aren't enough hours in the day! Luckily today is our last day of school then we are out for spring break...ahhhh, we need this!

I hope you will play along! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others! Thank you and have a great weekend and a wonderful Easter!



I'm linking with Cath's Fun Friday Favourites!

Good Fences - Coaling Road

click on photo to enlarge

Coaling Road . Troutville

“I think trees should bloom earlier in the spring. They act like they are on a schedule. It’s not like they have anywhere to go.”
― Jarod Kintz, This Book is Not FOR SALE

Linking with Tex's Good Fences

Happy Thursday!

Jobe Florist

click on photo to enlarge

Salem

I love this little stone building. With prom season coming up I'm sure this place is going to be jumping!

Tuesday's Treasures - Blue Ridge Springs

click on photos to enlarge

Blue Ridge Springs . Blue Ridge

Found this great story about the Springs/Gazebo/Resort HERE and I'm linking with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures