HARRISONBURG, Va. — Had a great time watching the JMU Dukes battle the Troy Trojans into overtime on Thursday night!
There's nothing quite like the atmosphere of college football under the lights in the Valley. The energy of the crowd, the excitement on the field, and the traditions of JMU football made for a memorable game-day experience.
It was especially great watching my favorite Duke and his friends make memories, enjoy the game, and cheer on the Dukes!
PORT REPUBLIC, Va. — Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Cross Keys Battlefield near Port Republic preserves the landscape where history unfolded more than 160 years ago.
On June 8, 1862, this area was the site of the Battle of Cross Keys, an important engagement during Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The battle was part of a series of military engagements that helped shape the course of the Valley Campaign during the Civil War.
Standing in a place where thousands of soldiers once marched and fought is a reminder of just how much of our nation's story is preserved in the landscapes around us. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the events, decisions, and human experiences that shaped this chapter of American history.
#TodaysAdventure #GetOutside #JustMe #PhotoWalk #KENTCANDO #VirginiaHistory #AmericanHistory
ANNANDALE, Va. — It's good to have friends who make sure you have what you need as you work on your Man Cave. #SSUFamily
ANNANDALE, Va. — At an ordinary intersection I drive through regularly, a historical marker tells a fascinating Civil War story involving Robert E. Lee’s family, military occupation, and a daring band of Confederate Rangers.
The historic Ravensworth marker in Annandale, Virginia, tells the story of Ravensworth, the home of Anna Maria Fitzhugh. Built around 1796, the mansion later provided a temporary safe haven for Mary Randolph Custis Lee, the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.
As the war unfolded, Ravensworth found itself caught between two armies. The property endured military occupation, the seizure of resources, and the challenges of living so close to the nation’s capital during a time of deep division. Confederate Major John S. Mosby and his Rangers even slept in a haystack on the property in 1863. The historic home ultimately burned in 1926.
Standing at this marker today, amid the everyday activity of Northern Virginia, I’m reminded of how much history lies along our daily routes. The past isn’t always found in museums or preserved buildings—sometimes, it’s right beside a busy road.
#TodaysAdventure #GetOutside #JustMe #KENTCANDO #AmericanHistory #VirginiaHistory #CivilWarHistory #MyAnnandale #MyDMV
