Here is the first of several emails that show some of my recent goings on.

First stop is Winchester, VA.

Some years ago when we were on a road trip up to Boston and Montreal, we stopped one night in Winchester.  It’s pretty much “one full day’s drive” from our house.  Winchester is the main town in the lower Shenandoah Valley and is dripping with charm and history.

This hole in the wall is “Sweet Nola’s” and Brenda thinks they serve the best Cajun food she’s ever had.  Good enough that she’s willing to make a drive back to Winchester sometime JUST to try their shrimp and grits plate again.

This week I made the visit alone.  I pulled up for dinner only to find that they are closed over the next couple of weeks for remodeling.

Those who know a bit about the Civil War know about the Battle of Bull Run.  To get to the next level of proficiency, you have to know that there were two battles there and that they go by two different names (Manassas, Bull Run)

However, it’s only the true CW Geek that can tell you that Winchester was host to THREE separate battles.  In fact, the town of Winchester traded hands between Union and Rebel forces no fewer than 72 times over the four years.

The Shenandoah Valley is beautiful (especially this time of year with the leaves) and there is a lot to see and do here.  One could spend several weeks traversing up and down the valley – and it’s not just Civil War battlefields.

The house above was built in 1854 and served as Stonewall Jackson’s HQ in 1861-1862.

That afternoon I took a walk through the restored downtown area.

Winchester played an important role in George Washington’s early adult life; his military and political career began here. As a young man of sixteen, he came to the area to begin what he thought would be his life’s profession, surveying. With the earnings from his surveying business he was able to buy a number of acres around Frederick County and also a lot in downtown Winchester.  He used a little log building, now the middle room of George Washington Office Museum, as a military office from September 1755 to December of 1756 while Fort Loudoun was being constructed at the north end of town. 

Union general Nathanial Banks’ HQ in 1862-1863.. but locals don’t like to talk about this shameful history.

Open ground north of town and location for part of the fighting during the Third Battle of Winchester in September, 1864.  There’s not much to see here, but they have developed a series of walking trails.  I stopped here and bought a book on Winchester from the Ranger’s station.

Continuing north… Elk in Central Pennsylvania.  I needed to visit two manufacturing facilities in North, Central PA… and there is not much out there.  There are a number of national parks that you must drive through to get anywhere and the place was thick with Elk.  I saw at least 40 one morning, all in groups of 3-5 in numerous areas.

Morgan Advanced Materials in St Marys.  This is a 7 story building, the oldest part of which was built in 1894.  They are big in thermal ceramics, carbon seals and bearings, carbon brush rings and linear transfer systems.

I was there to help complete a lighting system (1500 fixtures in St Marys, 1060 more in Coudersport) with advanced controls.

Photos of our lighting system in deep, dank dungeons of the old buildings.