CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO

Almost rode right into the wall - it looked so realistic.










Another close up shot of the Circleville, Ohio mural.

Note the pumpkin theme of the mural, which may not have been noticed before. This is significant because Circleville is known for a massive pumpkin festival every year; one of the largest festivals in the country, and it dates back to the very early 1900's. If memory serves me - 1903.

Also notable about Circleville, and fitting of the name, is the fact that the city was originally layed out in a circular manner due to the fact it was built on pre-existing circular ancient Indian effigy mounds.

 Eventually the town was reconfigured into a traditional grid layout.

SMITH'S FORT PLANTATION - VIRGINIA

A single post highlighting an interesting point-of-interest while exploring the coastal Virginia area; A brief history lesson also - after all, this region is where it all started for our young country.

The story-and-a-half brick manor house that stands at the head of the trail was built sometime between 1751 and 1765.

It was laid in Flemish bond brickwork and was home to Jacob Faulcon and his family.

A gabled roof is accented with dormer windows.

It's architectural significance lies in the interior where much of the original woodwork still exists.

This is the second time I have stopped by the Smith Plantation and unfortunately they were closed both times, so I have not had the opportunity to check out the interior.




There is a lot of history in this area. Captain John Smith's old stomping grounds !



Time to ride back to the old fort site. The sign is a bit of an exaggeration; just so happens, I'm on the right bike anyway.



Earthworks: The two-foot high earthworks are considered the oldest English structure in Virginia and are all that remains of the fort.



Not a whole lot left. The site is really nice and secluded though - with a nice overlook.

John Smith earned the title "Captain" serving with the Hapsburg cavalry along the contested border between the Austrian and Turkish empires. Given his experience, Smith no doubt recognized that Jamestown was vulnerable to attack, particularly after exploring the surrounding terrain while trading with the Natives.

In 1609, during his tenure as president of the colony, Smith built a defensive position here. From this bluff above Gray's Creek, the colonists could defend themselves from rebuffs from the Algonquian Natives and the Spanish galleons some feared might come to drive them from the New World.

According to Smith's Generall Historie, he never completed the fort because he was called back to Jamestown when rats infested the corn supply.

Upon John Rolfe's marriage to Pocahontas in 1614, this tract of land was given to the couple by Powhatan.



The Overlook: The bluff at Smith's Fort overlooks Gray's Creek, which provided a perfect view of visitors - invited or not.

For a moment, my mind drifted off - way back in time - before this land was tamed ... and I imagined hostiles approaching in canoes and ....



Time to get down the road - so many places, so little time.

Henry Ford Museum

Then I stepped into another "Time Warp" from a different era !

























Does anyone remember this sign ?



They have some really cool old vehicles and memorabilia in The Henry Ford museum.
The neon signs are really neat to see.
I have to go back and spend more time there.
It has so much to absorb, it would take many visits to see it all in depth.

 A interesting side note - This was a big bonus location during the first leg of the 2013 Iron Butt Rally, since the theme of the 2013 IBR was Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

Greenfield Village

While out exploring today - I took a big step back in time !

Presque Isle

Leaving the 40 mile point light, I had one more area to check out before hammering home and calling this 4 day excursion complete.

Three lighthouses are within close proximity to each other in Presque Isle.

The Presque Isle Front Range Light and the "Old" and "New" Presque Isle Lighthouses.



The Preque Isle Front Range Light is just a tiny structure along side the road.









"OLD PRESQUE ISLE LIGHT"




The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Built in 1840 by Jeremiah Moors of Detroit, the harbor light operated until 1871 when the keeper transferred to a new, taller, coastal lighthouse a mile to the north.














The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse park is a complex composed of two main structures, a keepers dwelling and a light tower. The stone and brick tower measures thirty feet tall and eighteen feet in diameter. Visitors can climb the hand-hewn stone steps for a panoramic view of the Lake Huron shoreline and Presque Isle Harbor.











"NEW PRESQUE ISLE LIGHTHOUSE"




Presque Isle Light Station is a complex of three historic buildings including a lighthouse tower and two keeper's residences. Located on the Lake Huron shoreline near Presque Isle Harbor, the "New Presque Isle Light" is the tallest lighthouse tower accessible by the public on the Great Lakes. Built in 1870, it replaced the 1840 harbor light.








From here I gassed up the ST and ran the remaining 250 miles or so home to get ready for work the next morning.
Back to reality - till next time.

40 Mile Point Lighthouse

Further down Route 23, we came upon 40 Mile Point Lighthouse, which is 7 miles north of Rogers City, Michigan along the Lake Huron coast.




N 45 29.024

W 083 54.892






-1896






Experiencing this old shipwreck - embedded into the beach - was incredible.



Lake Huron