VA Civil War Tour

[JimLor]

Since I was a little kid I've always had an interest in the Civil War. I live in Stafford and close at hand are the Fredericksburg, Chancelloresville, Wilderness, Kelly's Ford, Spotsylvania Courthouse and so on battlefields. Not to mention that Antietam and Gettysburg aren't all that far away. Anyone out there interested in taking a day to tour some of these places?

I'm dragging Lorie out tomorrow to take her on one of my favorite rides. Starbucks to start, Fredericksburg (will visit the Chatham house on Stafford Heights) to Chancellorsville and Jackson's route around the Union right, down Ely's Ford road to Kelly's Ford (Pelham was killed here), lunch at the Inn at Kelly's Ford, and then probably home.

Any interest in a ride of this type?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Since I was a little kid I've always had an interest in the Civil War. I live in Stafford and close at hand are the Fredericksburg, Chancelloresville, Wilderness, Kelly's Ford, Spotsylvania Courthouse and so on battlefields. Not to mention that Antietam and Gettysburg aren't all that far away. Anyone out there interested in taking a day to tour some of these places?
I'm dragging Lorie out tomorrow to take her on one of my favorite rides. Starbucks to start, Fredericksburg (will visit the Chatham house on Stafford Heights) to Chancellorsville and Jackson's route around the Union right, down Ely's Ford road to Kelly's Ford (Pelham was killed here), lunch at the Inn at Kelly's Ford, and then probably home.

Any interest in a ride of this type?

I'm interested in taking a COUPLE weeks to explore those places...just not this year.

Oh, BTW which battle was Starbucks?

 

[JimLor]

Starbucks was where Jeb Stuart spent the 2 days he should have been at Gettysburg! Never got over it and Lee didn't trust him any more. And I'll be he had the double mocha lotte carmalito dolcetto half-caf soy extra hot plume in the hat 'mo drink!

 

[radman]

Don't live anywhere near there, but have walked Gettysburg, book in hand, reliving the battles. For a history buff, thats Nirvana, almost as good as Normandy, did that too.

 

[FJRJeff]

Since I was a little kid I've always had an interest in the Civil War. I live in Stafford and close at hand are the Fredericksburg, Chancelloresville, Wilderness, Kelly's Ford, Spotsylvania Courthouse and so on battlefields. Not to mention that Antietam and Gettysburg aren't all that far away. Anyone out there interested in taking a day to tour some of these places?
I'm dragging Lorie out tomorrow to take her on one of my favorite rides. Starbucks to start, Fredericksburg (will visit the Chatham house on Stafford Heights) to Chancellorsville and Jackson's route around the Union right, down Ely's Ford road to Kelly's Ford (Pelham was killed here), lunch at the Inn at Kelly's Ford, and then probably home.

Any interest in a ride of this type?

That would be fun. Too bad I live in Oregon now (used to live in Port Royal).

Make your way over to Sunken Road too. There's a house there with some bullet holes in it from the Civil War.

 

[JimLor]

Yeah, did this same route myself last Sat and did walk the sunken road. One part on the outside and one of the inside walls are full of bullet holes - and big ones at that! Pretty sobering when you stand in the road and imagine thousands of guys standing and coming at you. Especially when you consider you've got cannon on the heights above you and a decent marksman can hit someone routinely at 400 yards or so. It's an ugly business when tactics are far behind technical developments. It's always the guy on the ground that suffers and time after time demonstrates that, "there's gotta be a better way!"

Rad - when I was a CO I took my staff of 60 to Gettysburg for 2 days. Had another Marine - Senior Marine at the Army War College give the narration. He did an absolutely great job. Nice to have someone who knows who did what, when, where, and why. Also had the little known interesting factoids of who hated whom, etc. In fact, just did the same thing Mon/Tue a week ago with the crew where I work now. Same guy gave the tour - still learned something. Gettysburg is a great place to visit.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yeah, did this same route myself last Sat and did walk the sunken road. One part on the outside and one of the inside walls are full of bullet holes - and big ones at that! Pretty sobering when you stand in the road and imagine thousands of guys standing and coming at you. Especially when you consider you've got cannon on the heights above you and a decent marksman can hit someone routinely at 400 yards or so. It's an ugly business when tactics are far behind technical developments. It's always the guy on the ground that suffers and time after time demonstrates that, "there's gotta be a better way!"
Rad - when I was a CO I took my staff of 60 to Gettysburg for 2 days. Had another Marine - Senior Marine at the Army War College give the narration. He did an absolutely great job. Nice to have someone who knows who did what, when, where, and why. Also had the little known interesting factoids of who hated whom, etc. In fact, just did the same thing Mon/Tue a week ago with the crew where I work now. Same guy gave the tour - still learned something. Gettysburg is a great place to visit.

Jim, do you give extended mcy/civil war history tours for out of towners? :clapping: :clapping:

 

[JimLor]

Well, I'd be happy to depending on schedule, etc. This really is a great area for it and when you throw in the penninsular campaign (Norfolk - Williamsburg - Yorktown) you really could spend an extended time doing this. Could be organized by year or by battle - hmmm, 1862 - 1st Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg - 1863 Chancellorsville, Kelly' Ford, Gettysburg - 1864 the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, Petersburg - 1865 Petersburg and the trip to Appomattox Courthouse. I forget when 2d Manassas was. Yeah, this could be fun, maybe we could ride the route of Picket's charge in mass formation!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Well, I'd be happy to depending on schedule, etc. This really is a great area for it and when you throw in the penninsular campaign (Norfolk - Williamsburg - Yorktown) you really could spend an extended time doing this. Could be organized by year or by battle - hmmm, 1862 - 1st Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg - 1863 Chancellorsville, Kelly' Ford, Gettysburg - 1864 the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, Petersburg - 1865 Petersburg and the trip to Appomattox Courthouse. I forget when 2d Manassas was. Yeah, this could be fun, maybe we could ride the route of Picket's charge in mass formation!

Sounds like an excellent idea that I would totally be up for... as long as we don't have Pickett's casualties during that run.

My vacation is already planned/mapped out this year, however I would love a tour of this area late spring/early fall of next year!!!

Just another civil war/FJR buff...

 

[PlaynGuitar]

Jim;

Actually, I might be able to swing this one... Jan has to work tomorrow and I had planned on hitting the roads somewhere, anywhere to get the new tires scrubbed a little in prep for a longer ride on Sunday.

Admittedly, I'm not much of a Civil War buff (yeh OK, I know thats shameful for someone who has lived in, near, and around Manassas for almost 28 years), but I am always willing to learn something new. I do have great respect for the individuals that gave their lives, the rich history, and the incredible stories that are harbored in every site.

If I recall correctly, I think Kelly's Ford puts me pretty close to home. Any idea what time the two of you are planning on visiting that famous Starbucks battlefield site? B) Other than this crazy schedule adjustment we've been going thru due to Jans job I'm normally a pretty early riser.

I need to do a double-check with my much better half, but I should be able to let you know a little later this afternoon whether I can do this run. I think it could be a great chance to meet some other folks from this forum.

Best regards

Patrick

 

[PlaynGuitar]

ohhh noooo!

Looks like I can't make this after all. Very sorry, but I do appreciate the offer and the opportunity. Maybe another time soon?

Thanks!!

travel safe and best regards

Patrick

 

[JimLor]

Sorry you couldn't make it Patrick. Just got back and had a very nice day. Maybe next time. And yes, Kelly's Ford is fairly close to you.

Jim

 

[PlaynGuitar]

Definitely sorry it didn't work out... what a beautiful day to be out on two wheels. I was able to get the necessary errands and tasks addressed by about 10:30 and had an opportunity to run out and around for a very liesurely 150 miles today. (I know thats not much, but it was a very laid back ride.) The more I'm on it -- the more I love this bike. In spite of some of the comments I've read -- I feel this is a very responsive bike, the clutch tension is not too hard at all, and I still can't get over my sense while riding that the footprint of the bike is small, nimble, and light. Compared to the two BMWs I've owned, the FJR is like a sleek roadster. I am very happy it!! and fwiw, I have no problem with the center stand... maybe I got a fluke. lol!!

In any case, thanks for the reply... maybe we can work out a ride and a meet some other time.

Thanks very much for the offer.

Please do take care.

Best regards

Patrick

 

[Aviator]

Jim,

I am always interested in a ride like that. I have been thinking about riding to Gettysburg for sometime now. You can also make Frederick part of the ride and look at those spots. I am rather busy till July, but I would love to join you. Let me know the next time you are thinking about doing it.

I have been meaning to contact you as a fellow local rider. Did you do rolling thunder over the weekend?

 

[JimLor]

Aviator, sounds good to me. July is a nice warm month!

I was asked but didn't ride Rolling Thunder this weekend. Had a family commitment and couldn't make it and to be honest, probably wouldn't have anyway. The cause is near and dear to my heart, but I don't really enjoy riding in a herd. Maybe next year.

I'll let you know my battle plans - we could probably get a few folks together to make a run to Gettysburg.

Jim

 

[Randy]

Keep me posted on the battle run, Jim. At the very least, perhaps the Mrs and I could meet you for a ride through the G-burg battlefields as they're only 45 minutes from me <hanging my head in shame as I've never ridden through the battlefields>

 

[FJR Gary]

Hey Jim,

I'm up for a ride almost any weekend. This past weekend I went down and camped at Willville at Meadows of Dan, VA. Then on Sunday I rode 58 over to Damascus, then 133 down to Shady Valley, then 421 and 321 into Boone, then 321 down to Blowing Rock and back up the BRP to 58. Great 300 mile loop. Should be some good riding at EOM.

I'm going to be in CO from June 8-12 but other than that, I'm ready to ride.

Gary

 

[Sherman]

We could combine it with the Total Control Workshop in Fredrick, Maryland? I could swing a few days out there maybe.

Bruce

 

[JimLor]

Great idea Bruce - I'm taking the class 10 Jun!