Sunday, September 29, 2013

Here & There Column 9-24-13


Butterflies At The Bridge

  There's no bats in the belfry with this writing but there are indeed "butterflies at the bridge."
  Readers are now wondering where Ed's going with this column.
  During an interesting stop recently at The Natural Bridge at Natural Bridge, Virginia Shirley and I not only learned about but had the opportunity to see a national historic landmark and one of the oldest attractions in the United States.
  The rapture of the spectator viewing The Natural Bridge is really indescribable. 
  Here in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains the immensity and majesty of the bridge is startling and striking. Twenty stories of solid rock carved by the fingers of nature.
  Discovered by Monacan Indians, purchased by Thomas Jefferson from King George III of  England  and surveyed by a young George Washington, this great stone monument is a looking glass of history.
  But it just doesn't stop at the bridge as The Natural Bridge site includes the Ceder Creek nature trail which begins with the walk along Cascade Creek and ends about a mile later at Lace Falls (ask me how my bad left knee felt after that walk) , the Monacan native American village complex where visitor's questions about Monacan life are answered, the Natural Bridge Wax Museum which offers highlights of the history of the Natural Bridge and then there were the butterflies.
  An indoor garden with live Costa Rica "Owl" and "Blue Morpho" butterflies as this exhibit definitely showcases their natural beauty. One has to walk carefully in this room as the butterflies not only land on your shoulder and the tropical plans but also on the floor. Imagine hundreds of these amazing creatures in flight among the tropical plans in this unique indoor garden......this part of The Natural Bridge exhibit is a must see but be prepared when you enter this hot-humid indoor garden......almost like a sauna. 
  A must stop when traveling on Interstate I-81 at Exit 175 and you will quickly see why this is a must see destination equipped with its own hotel and dining room.
  View our photo display of the Natural Bridge site at http://bght.blogspot.com 

                                                         





















Some of the many pictures we took at The Natural Bridge site. Just beautiful. A must see if your traveling on Interstate 81 in Virginia.

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