Driving North

The drive north was uneventful, if a bit rainy. It was still warm, but the air is lighter as you get further north. We could see just the beginnings of an autumn color change, but it looked like leaves were more getting yellow and old and dropping off than turning vibrant colors. People say that this is because it has been so warm. But the lighting is different than the summer brightness. Things are not so bright; the sun is coming upon as at a lower angle.

We walked around Fredericksburg, Virginia for a bit. We lived near here from 1976 - 1979, in Wilderness VA (Lake of the Woods) and then on Ben Lomand Farm in Gordonsville (near Charlottesville).  I remember coming in to Fredericksburg for dinner, but I don't recognize any of it now. We bought our antique ice box here, and a little table and chairs that we still have. Actually, it was my Dad who liked the icebox and bought it for us, as well as a brass "Fredericksburg Lamp".

Fredericksburg is a sweet little town on the banks of the Rappahannock River. Its history dates to pre-colonial times, when my ancestors were arriving from England, Scotland and Ireland. A lot of Civil War memorabilia around.

Driving north from Fredericksburg, I noticed the exit for Acquia. Acquia Creek is a 27.6 mile long tributary of the tidal segment of the Potomac River. The creek's headwaters lie in southeastern Fauquier County, and it empties into the Potomac at Brent Point in Stafford County, 45 miles (72 km) south of Washington, D.C. 

Acquia Creek is intriguing for me because supposedly it is where my Piscataway Indian 8th great grandmother, Mary Kittamaquund, moved after being married to Giles Brent, and where her daughter, Katherine Brent, my 7th great grandmother, lived. A mysterious ancient and old land in the story of my heritage. I would like to stop there and just put my hand into the water of the creek. Maybe on the way home.