Web Logs
5/26/2003 - Will's Birthday, Natural Bridge, Grand Caverns
First off a Happy Birthday to my lovin' hubby Will. You're a good one to grow old with. In celebration for the aforementioned event we drove off to see Natural Bridge this weekend.
Natural Bridge
Natural bridge is, well, exactly that: a monstrous, mesozoic-era formation of limestone that was shaped by eons of flowing water into a bridge (and indeed is used as one, Rt. 11 goes right over top of it). Owned at one point by Thomas Jefferson, it's now a major Virginia tourist spot hailed as one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World".
The bridge is a gigantic and beautiful thing. It looks like it belongs on the set of King Kong, or some other dinosaur-laden film where everything is just too large for the real world. Its a sight that must have astounded Jefferson, and maintains its awe-inspiring stature in defiance of the touristy kitsch that now crowds it.
 Bridge View 1 |
 Bridge View 2 |
 Will at Bridge |
 Fitz at Bridge |
 Back of Bridge |
And speaking of that kitsch, around the bridge has sprung up a clutch of standard, tourist-trap fare. There's a nicely appointed hotel (where we stayed), a haunted house, a wax museum, an indian village recreation, and the obligatory souvenir shop filled with trailer-decorating goodness. Will and I gave in and visited Professor Cline's Haunted Monster Museum and found it was actually a good deal of fun in its own hokey way. And hey, it had a clone of Elvis.
 Hotel |
 Haunted House |
 Elvistine |
 Village |
Grand Caverns
On our way home we visited Grand Caverns. It wasn't anywhere near as grand and polished as Luray, but it was still very impressive and had some interesting shield formations. Will thinks it would be a good investment property. Hmm.... Oh, and the peacock? We just ran into him at an information center.
 Will in Caverns |
 Shield Formation |
 Peacock |
