Arlington Shopping is "Next Level"

When you think of cities in the US that are the preeminent spots to hunker down and get serious about spending some money -- shopaholic style -- what do you see?  New York, Chicago, San Francisco, or Los Angeles perhaps?

I guess I can sort of see that, for obvious reasons.

Personally, I have visions of cattle drives, Disneyesque rat mazes, and the whole thing amounting to little more than being a crashing bore.  But that’s just me.

The proof, however, is in the pudding, as they say.  The fact is, neither these swanky metropolitan areas (with the exception of San Francisco) nor my gloomy perspective on the exercise fall into a majority ruling. 

No.  According to Bundle.com – an aggregator of consumer spending data in the US – ARLINGTON, VA is at the TOP of the food chain relating to shopaholic-style, spending jags!!  Okay, I lied a little.  Actually Washington DC is #1 (which is strange enough) with Arlington being a close #2.  But go figure!

Besides, when considering #1 vs. #2 there's very little geography in between.  Like, none.  One need simply stand in DC, obtain a pair ruby slippers, do some heel clicking, and continuously repeat, “There’s no place like Arlington,” and you'll find yourself there in a heartbeat.  Of course, carry on too much and you might find yourself en route to the local psychiatric amusement park.  So, keep your chickens in the barn.

In this study, Bundle looked at the top 100 cities in the US by population to figure out which inhabitant lunatics spent the most on clothes, shoes, garments, and other bits. They sourced their data from the US government, Citi, and “third party data providers.” After examination of a year's worth of data (from 2010 to 2011), they were able to determine the ten cities that "shop" the most.

Frankly, I find the list a little suspect in that Bakersfield, CA came in at #10.  I don't know if you've been there, but I have and find it a little difficult to swallow that one unless there was a major year-long fire-sale on burlap.  Anyway, who am I to argue with the experts?  (A rhetorical question, to be sure.)

And, keep in mind that we’re talking about average daily shopping here, not an examination of the spending spikes stemming from the band of firearm-wielding lunatics that descend on a designated Black Friday, or a Cyber Monday, or a Squirrel-Nut Wednesday, or whatever the flavour du jour was.  Fact is, this just seems to be how we roll in NoVa, everyday!  

All that being said, and subsequent to getting over the shock of it all, further consideration of the distinction is actually not that tough of a nut to swallow.   

Arlington does, in fact, boast a wide variety of fantastic (i.e. World-Class) shopping venues, and peripheral other “stuff” to do to enhance the experience. 

In addition to the plethora of stand-alone shopping opportunities dotted around the city, there are a number of larger, organized venues within which you can kill several birds with one stone – or more appropriately – burn lots more cash with one match.  Here are the main players.

Ballston Common Mall

4238 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA

Metro:  Orange Line to Ballston Station.

Ballston Common is a 578,000-square-foot, four-level, enclosed, urban mixed-use development located at the corner of Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard, just four miles from downtown DC.  Ballston is redefining itself as Arlington's "new downtown,” and in the heart of it is Ballston Common Mall. The mall features Macy's, Macy's Furniture Gallery, a 12-screen, stadium seating Regal Cinema, a Sport & Health Club - Washington's premier health club chain, and more than 230,000 square feet of other retail space.

Crystal City Shops

23rd Street and Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA

Metro:  Yellow or Blue Lines to Crystal City Station.

The Crystal City Shops comprise an interesting mix of highly acclaimed restaurants and over one hundred stores and service providers.  Located just off Jefferson Davis Highway, the Crystal City Shops stretch several blocks along Crystal Drive between 12th and 23rd Streets,  and just five minutes from downtown DC, Old Town Alexandria, and Reagan National Airport.

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

1100 South Hayes Street
Arlington, VA 22202

Metro: Yellow or Blue Lines to Pentagon City Station.

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, also located just moments from the nation's capital, offers a world-class shopping experience where avenues of fashions and boulevards of style await. A scenic glass elevator ride to the Third Level reveals more than 170 fascinating stores and restaurants including Macy's, Nordstrom, The Ritz-Carlton, Ann Taylor, Apple, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, BCBG, bebe, Club Monaco, Coach, Cole Haan, Francesca's Collections, Guess, and much, much more.  And, don't forget  those requisite up-scale bars / restaurants to enhance the whole epic experience.

Market Common: Clarendon

2800 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia

Metro: Orange Line to Clarendon Station.

Take a stroll through the courtyard, shop, meet with friends, and discover all that Market Common: Clarendon has to offer…from national name-brand retailers to regional and local boutiques.  And when you need a break from shopping or just want to catch up with friends, relax and enjoy dining at its best at any one of the venue’s eight dining experiences, with delectable offerings that span four corners of the globe.

Pentagon Row

Army Navy Drive and South Joyce Street

Arlington, VA

Metro:  Yellow or Blue Lines to Pentagon City Station.

Pentagon Row is a vibrant shopping and entertainment destination with a unique combination of specialty retail stores, exciting restaurants and amenities that include Harris Teeter, Bally Total Fitness, a central plaza with outdoor cafes, and an ice-skating rink (November through March). Pentagon Row also offers exciting outdoor events, including a 13-week Summer Concert Series, Thursday evenings, June 7-August 30, 2011, 7-9pm.

The Village at Shirlington

2700 South Quincy Street
Arlington, VA

Metro:  The only one of our shopaholic, rockaholic destinations without direct Metro service, there is direct bus service to and from the Yellow or Blue Lines to Pentagon Station and rush hour service to Pentagon City Station.

The Village at Shirlington opened in 1944, and was the first large shopping center to open in the Washington DC suburbs and one of the earliest in the United States. It is located along Campbell Avenue at the intersection of Shirley Highway and Quaker Lane / Shirlington Road. Shirlington Village is now an urban village boasting shopping, restaurants, theaters, and a pedestrian friendly promenade.  It also features a wider variety of businesses than the typical shopping mall.  In addition to more of a concentration of specialty shops and service providers, you ca also find lodging and LOADS of restaurants and pubs / bars to help you get over it all.

More Information

For more information on any of these shopping meccas, I suggest you command your computer, pad, or smart phone to travel to…

http://www.ArlingtonVirginia.com

… .for detail on specific retailers, restaurants, cafés, pubs, and some of that other “stuff” to do.  This site has it all. 

And, with such great proximity to Metro transportation, pop into a few of ‘em and make a day – or more – of it.  You won’t be disappointed!

For the latest, follow me at: http://www.twitter.com/@DeathXDrowning 

© 2011 Death by Drowning

Hollywood, Action Movies & Mount Vernon

Hollywood.  What's the deal with those waterheads? And what are they smokin' out there to twist the brain cells necessary to invent some of the hallucinations that we give blood at the box office to see?  I mean really.  If I didn't know any better (and clearly I don't) it's as if everyone between Burbank and the Santa Monica Freeway are exercising their constitutional right to conduct controlled-substance QA at a Dead show.

Just consider these...

Smile for the Camera, Big Guy

Ginormous reptiles on a rampage and raising hell with everyone and everything whilst eating the spleens out of any bugger* that moves?!

On second thought, it appears this scenario isn't as far-fetched as one would think... especially if the Jurassic fossil record is to be believed.  Of course, the "record" is considered pretty questionable, if not full-tilt flimsy, evidence to many (That are in denial, that is).

Okay, how about an aircraft-carrier-sized chunk of space rock hurling toward our own blue orb hell-bent on making a big hole in a backyard near you?!  (And I'm here to tell you that we're talking about a REALLY big hole.)

Alright, my bad... it seems that something along those lines actually did happen just recently.  And while we didn't end-up eating the business end of that missile, I'm reasonably sure that its near miss, or near hit as it were, had absolutely nothing to do with Bruce Willis stepping it up.

Closer to home, how about a scavenger hunt leading to Cibola, the fabled city of gold, courtesy of an overseas replica of the Statue of Liberty, a 19th century ice-bound British ship destined to become furniture, and secret passages beneath Mount Vernon--the home of President #1 -- whilst presenting the ideal opportunity to kidnap a current-day President during his birthday party?

As if...

Such are some of the components of the second film in the National Treasure franchise (National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, and no, I'm not even touching the so-called "secret book" myth).  Well, as it turns out -- with the exception of a city of gold that is best discussed through the bottom of a grappa bottle -- these bits aren't as far-fetched as they might seem.

There is indeed a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paris (as well as other locations), the ice-bound HMS Resolute did, in fact, become furniture, and there are secret "tunnels" beneath the Mount Vernon estate.  Never been?

Mt. Vernon

Located in Northern Virginia just 16-miles south of Arlington (18-miles south of DC), Mount Vernon represents both a pleasant daytrip and a veritable treasure trove of American History.  Magnificently perched overlooking the Potomac River, and George Washington's home for most of his adult life, Mount Vernon has been restored to reflect its condition when he died in 1799.  The mansion and estate are open 365 days a year and easily accessible via public and private transport.

Once a working plantation, a visit to Mount Vernon today will reveal a dozen original structures, restored gardens, demonstrations focused on Washington's farming operations, and a broad sweep of presentations, artifacts, and tours all aimed at helping you "connect the dots" for yourself.  You may even get a sense of the big man, himself, lurking about as the estate is also home to Washington's tomb.

Heck, there's even a restaurant and restrooms.  What else could you possibly want?

And, just down the road a few miles from Mt. Vernon is Washington's Distillery and Gristmill, a popular site for 18^th-century staffers to blow off steam -- or so it's said!  Some things never change.

Mt. Vernon, Upper Gardens

But, as alluded to, there are aspects of the estate that represent roads-less-traveled, despite being highly popularized by Hollywood -- i.e. secret underground passages.  Yes, some semblance of these subterranean digs actually exist but have only been accessible to a very few over the years.  The estate now, however, offers a National Treasure Tour during which you can take an hour-long walk featuring a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the filming of "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" and why those areas were built to begin with.

While you won't find any cornerstone-triggered secret doors leading to a labyrinthine of tunnels, it doesn't take a Hollywood genius to figure out where screenwriters got their ideas.  All in all, it's very cool... especially if you're a fan of the film franchise.

Just remember: Dig it...but don't bury it.

In the meantime, we'll wait for Hollywood to come up with an original idea or two for a change. 

For more information on the whole program, visit Mount Vernon's official website, a terrific resource for information "all things Mount Vernon."

http://www.mountvernon.org/

* No, don't get your nickers in a twist.  According to Merriam-Webster a BUGGER is defined as a small or annoying thing, i.e. "I put down my keys and now I can't find the buggers."

For the latest, follow me at: http://www.twitter.com/@DeathXDrowning

© 2011 Death by Drowning

 

Jamestowne: History, Gibberish, and Information, Encapsulated

And so, if you’re reading this, you've made it through Thanksgiving somewhat intact with only one more family-infused car-crash left this calendar year.  Translated, that means it's now safe to talk trash about Thanksgiving without fear of being struck by lightning.  Don’t even consider messing with Christmas at this point.

Public Transportation

On the subject of Thanksgiving (and smooth segways), the pilgrims have traditionally been credited for the first Thanksgiving—and we all know how that story goes.  That story, on the other hand, has probably evolved a bit since Thanksgiving was made a national excuse for a 4-day weekend by Lincoln during the Civil War.  Not so unlike a game of “telephone.”  That is, what goes in may not, necessarily, be what comes out. 

The fact is, the Pilgrims / Plymouth thing, in this case, may be based on little more than their employment of better PR spin-doctors than the “other guys'.”  Or so some believe.

To be clear, there are those that think the concept of Thanksgiving was probably being exercised for decades prior to the miraculous coincidence of the Pilgrims leaving from a place called Plymouth and then actually landing in a place called Plymouth… all without even traveling in a circle.  What are the odds?  A miracle really. 

Included in this group of earlier turkey-eating “other guys” were the Spanish, and later the Brits—who managed to establish the first permanent British North American settlement here in Virginia at Jamestowne—and no, they didn’t have the good fortune of setting sail from a place called Jamestowne then landing in an identically named spot like some other folks who shall remain nameless.  Further evidence that their spin-doctors were crap. 

In any event, the Thanksgiving celebration by these ancients was probably of little resemblance to the contemporary version we know today… less based on the miracle of the Butterball hotline and more on the miracle of actually making it all the way across the Atlantic without a clue as to where they were going… and without getting devoured by a irked giant squid, a pissed-off wave, or a more pissed-off Spanish Man-O-War which, of course, was a big artillery-wielding war ship and not to be confused with a Portuguese Man ‘O War which is a big poison-wielding jellyfish. 

This is best evidenced by the fact that for the first few years here in Virginia the Brits rarely whipped-up feasts featuring the cholesterol bomb we associate with Thanksgiving today… i.e. deep-fried turkey, grease-laden gravy, green bean casserole with those dehydrated onion rings on top, and heinous little marshmallows entombed in bowls of Jell-O.  Instead, their posh dinner fiestas were far more likely to feature great big bowls of dirt as a main course… a local delicacy and just about all anyone could grow for the longest time.  And so, not too terribly much to be thankful for in the food department. 

Our Gal, Pocahontas

The only tradition that really stuck as result of all of this hoopla was the notion that Thanksgiving would forever be branded as a forum to spend the day arguing with in-laws.  We have Capt Smith and Pocahontas to thank for that little ditty.  Yes, while the rest of the gang were gnawing on bones, those two yahoos were honeymooning up river and arguing with Pocahontas’s extended family… but eating properly, none-the-less. 

And a trade-off was born.

So, in the greater scheme of things, Jamestowne was actually significant in more ways than one.  And despite the fact that those little piggies built their cottages out of sticks not bricks… and the big bad wolf did, in fact, come and blow the house down… there’s still something to see today at the site of the original Jamestowne. 

(An aside… the namesake for both Jamestowne and the adjacent James River was King James I who had a mum (Mary Queen of Scots) that ended-up loosing her head over Elizabeth I, James’ predecessor.  The Scottish version of all this is that King James I was actually James VI, and Queen Elizabeth never existed to begin with.  Don’t ask… but it may not be an accident that they make so much whiskey in Scotland.   Anyway, it’s all a soap opera in the making.)   

In any event, located a 160-miles or so south of both Arlington and DC, heading to Jamestowne can be a haul depending on the weight of your foot.  This is of no consequence, however, if you subscribe to the “having a sleepover at your target destination” school of thought.  And, you can land yourself in lots more trouble that way! 

Situated on a narrow swath of land between the York and James Rivers out near where they smack into both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic, Jamestowne is comprised of two discrete bits -- Historic Jamestowne and Jamestowne Settlement.

Original Fort @ Jamestowne

Historic Jamestowne is a component of the National Parks Service and actually located on the site of the original colony.  And, in the spirit of all that dirt farming that used to be going on, there’s plenty of digging happening today.  In short, the site is largely an archaeological dig.  And while most of the original town has succumbed to time and the elements, there is still much to see in the forms of “Old Towne” and “New Towne.”  (Really knocked themselves out in the naming conventions department)

The “Old Towne" part of Historic Jamestowne refers to the triangular fort originally constructed by the British in 1607.  Through a modern-day rediscovery project, over ninety percent of the 1607 fort has been identified. The rediscovery team has also excavated and studied structures, wells and burials – as well as collected over a million and a half artifacts from the site.

New Towne Church

In the 1620s, governors, farmers, and merchants began purchasing parcels of land and building in what is referred to as “New Towne,” the area east of the old 1607 fort. Taverns, warehouses, and wharves soon sprang up to serve those visiting Jamestowne to have their day in court, serve on the House of Burgesses, or “get their smoke on” whilst having their tobacco graded, weighed and taxed.  (As a colonist, that would have really pissed me off!  “Tea Party” ring any bells?)  And, like “Old Towne,” they’re harvesting dirt in “New Towne” as well.

Bottom line, if you’re interested in history and archeology, Historic Jamestowne is for you. 

Jamestowne Settlement, on the other hand, is a more paint-by-numbers experience. The Settlement delivers the story of the people who founded Jamestowne and of the Virginia Indians they encountered through film, gallery exhibits and living history. Explored in some depth are the cultures of the 1) local Powhatan Indians, 2) Europeans and 3) Africans who converged in 17^th century Virginia.  To you and I, those three groups translate to: 1) Soon to be screwed-up, 2) already hopelessly screwed-up, and 3) in the process of being screwed-up… just in case you were grey on who was who. 

Either the Fort Recreation or Kindling

Shuffling along out-of-doors will enable visitors of Jamestowne Settlement to board replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia in 1607, explore life-size re-creations of the colonists' fort and a Powhatan village, and tour a seasonal riverfront discovery area to learn about the three aforementioned groups of ill-fated inhabitants.

Feeling peckish?  A visit to the Jamestowne Settlement Café may be in order… but that’s where that story ends.  Being a soup-to-nuts historic site, you won’t find any private commercial enterprise at Jamestowne.  Hence, unless you’re a snake, frog or alligator -- which I’m guessing you’re not -- you won’t be lodging or eating at Jamestowne proper.  However, like the original colonists before you, you can retreat to a couple of follow-on settlements just a few miles away, Colonial Williamsburg and / or Newport News, where both lodging and dining options are abundant. 

All in all, a visit to Jamestowne can be both educational and a good laugh… and perfect for the quick getaway from DC Metro.  For more information, give these a whirl:

To get your bearings via Google or MapQuest…

1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestowne, Virginia 23081

Colonial National Historic Park (US National Park Service)

http://www.nps.gov/colo/index.htm

Historic Jamestowne (US National Park Service)

http://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm

Jamestowne Settlement 

www.historyisfun.org/Jamestowne-settlement.htm

Colonial Williamsburg Official Site:

http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/

Visit Williamsburg

http://visitwilliamsburg.com/

Williamsburg.com

http://www.williamsburg.com/

Newport News Official Website

http://www.newport-news.org/

Facebook:  Newport News Tourism

http://www.facebook.com/newportnewsvirginia

For the latest, follow me at: http://www.twitter.com/@DeathXDrowning

© 2011 Death by Drowning

Harper’s Ferry: Being There

And so, upon further contemplation of this 150-Year Civil War anniversary thing, it occurs to me that there just may be a major business opportunity in the mix... and like all great enterprises, tee-shirts are obviously the most sensible place to start.  Who knows where it could go from there.  Lending money that no one has to unsuspecting consumers could be right around the corner.   

Hell, everyone’s doing it!

Think about it…some of the greatest institutional behemoths printed ‘em up.  Enron, AIG, Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Bernie Madoff, The Tower of London, and The Somali Republic all got their start by silk-screening their magical ID on worthless undergarments in invisible ink.  So, why not follow suit?

The real challenge, however, is the label being bandied about for this particular occasion: Sesquicentennial.  Who knew? 

More to the meat of the matter, unless one is focusing on doublewide laundry, the printing of…

SESQUICENTENNIAL 

… across a tee shirt is going to be a full-tilt car crash.

There’s always the ultra-slim approach…

SES-

QUI-

CEN-

TEN-

NIAL

It seems, however, that something gets lost in translation with this treatment.  And, a branding exercise to rev the term is certainly out of the question.  I mean, what’s the point of arguing with the powers-that-be who apparently get paid by the letter? 

So, subsequent to at least 5-minutes of intense market strategy brainstorming, it appears that the whole Civil War commercialism idea is actually crap.  Just ask Disney how it worked out for them.

Harper's Ferry - Back in the Day

That being said, if you still want to get into the spirit of things without capitalizing on the misery of hundreds of thousands, the next most logical thing to do is recognize and understand what went down during the Civil War and try like hell to avoid a repeat.  Seems both responsible and sensible.  To that end, why not just jump right into the program?  And, if you’ve read my previous installment on the subject, the obvious place to begin nets to Harper’s Ferry. 

While only a short journey from DC and Northern Virginia, a trip to Harper’s Ferry covers centuries of real estate and, in addition to being rich in Civil War lore, will also put one in pretty good non-Sesquicentennial historic company.  (say that three times fast… or just once, for that matter).

George Washington led his first surveying expedition there at age 17, Thomas Jefferson got pretty gooey over the beauty of its surroundings, and Lewis and Clark’s pacific-bound jaunt blasted-off from the spot long before they even knew how to spell Sacajawea (on second thought, they may have never figured that one out). 

The first big decision to consider whilst filing your flight plan is where to stay when you arrive.  There are really only two camps associated with this decision… 1) Do you want to stage a dress rehearsal for a trip to Bakersfield and stay at a motel? or 2) Get into the thick of it by lodging at one of the many historic alternatives?  Rhetorical questions, to be sure.  You connect the dots. 

A few of the options available include:

The Armory Quarters (http://harpersferryvacationrentals.com), built in 1820 to house workers from the Armory.  A clever name for the joint, eh?

Harper's Ferry Today

The Camp Hill Bed and Breakfast (http://www.camp-hill.com/) features two suites facing the Blue Ridge Mountains in the midst of Historic Harpers Ferry.

The Mountainside Lodge (http://www.vrbo.com/265656) a 2-1/2 story brick federal-period building built in the 1830's.

And, my personal historic favorite, The Jackson Rose Bed & Breakfast (www.thejacksonrose.com).  A beautifully restored Federal-style home (circa 1795), listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and once the headquarters for General "Stonewall" Jackson.

Of course, there are many other fine lodgings, including a place or two to pitch a tent if that’s your thing. 

Dining options are equally diverse and range from ice creameries (Scoops), to cafes (The Canal House Café - http://www.canalhousecafe.com), to pubs (The Secret Six Tavern), to fine dining (Grandale Farm Restaurant http://www.grandalefarm.com).  Your choice to mix it up.

The real “nut” of the matter, however, are the plethora of attractions and activities that Harper’s Ferry offers.  At the historic vortex of the town manifesting itself today as a National Park, there are many, many events aimed at the Sesquicentennial while business as usual provide for exploration of historic sites, ruins, battlefields, and a variety of other historically significant spots (http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm).

And, if you’re head is about to explode due to an overload of historic content, a variety of business are on hand that can help you find a bit of brain sorbet through biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, or rafting excursions... weather permitting.  

All in all, Harper’s Ferry is a perfect, low-impact getaway from the day-to-day grind.  So close…yet so far.

For all the latest, follow me at: http://www.twitter.com/@DeathXDrowning

© 2011 Death by Drowning

Kicking-off the Sesquicentennial

In the spirit of America’s love affair with inventing holidays to stimulate the greeting card industry, we now find ourselves in the midst of its latest concoction—The Sesquicentennial.

For those not familiar with the term—especially in the DC Metro area—please take a step back and strike yourselves squarely in the head with a bag of dead batteries.  The Sesquicentennial in this case is, of course, the 150-year anniversary of the U. S. Civil War.  It appears that at some point a lull in upcoming greeting card sales was detected and some bright spark somewhere decided to forego the usual annual, decade, century, or millennium anniversary milestones to sneak one in the middle.


This celebration is particularly curious when considering that, despite the booze-addled jubilation occurring during Civil War reenactment frenzies, the reality of the whole bloody mess was so horrible that some description of spectacular mind-erasing binge consumption should be embraced in an attempt to try and forget it happened to begin with… much less sell greeting cards over it.

In any event, the Sesquicentennial has arrived and all the kicking and screaming in the world isn’t going to change that fact.   And, in the spirit of common sense—i.e. playing well with other children—the logical place to start the exploration of an extravaganza of this magnitude is… well… at the beginning.  In this case, the beginning is manifested in the form of Harper’s Ferry, WV—the apparent lightning rod that got everything rolling 150-years ago courtesy of John Brown, unplugged.

 While a focus on Harper’s Ferry may appear to be coloring outside of the lines if one is focused on Northern Virginia as a destination, it was actually part of Northern Virginia at the commencement of the Civil War—prior to West Virginia getting itself snapped off—and is certainly worth at least a mention, if not a visit.


Located a stone’s throw from the intersection of three states—West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland—the town itself is a crossroads, of sorts, as well.  Situated in the midst of the stunning Shenandoah Valley—just where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers crash into each other—both the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal converge on the spot.  Avid hikers appear from nowhere for food, Starbucks, and new shoes as the Appalachian Trail makes its appearance, and—of course—it is figuratively the point between peace and war bridged by the fuse lit whilst abolitionist John Brown ran amok two years before the official start of the Civil War in 1861.


Getting there is a short subject.  Situated only 48 miles from DC proper, the Northern Virginia visitor need only get themselves to Leesburg where it is only about 25 miles further on.  Be warned, however, that while the journey will take the traveler through beauteous, antique-store-dotted countryside and is well worth the price of admission alone… one should ensure that driving directions are solid and clear prior to departure.  More than one ill-prepared traveler has found themselves asking Daryl and his other brother Daryl for directions while banjos drone on in the distance.  In other words, things could turn into more of an adventure than one bargained for.


Harper’s Ferry itself is primarily a historical site enjoying all the protections afforded to a full-tilt National Park.  A tiny hamlet of only about 300 residents, it features a variety of weather-dependent outdoor recreational activities, a number of weather-defiant museums and exhibits, miles of walking tours through historic districts, and no shortage of opportunities to explore battlefields—complete with Civil War era fortifications, trench lines, and ruins.  Of course, there is also all the requisite lodging, dining, and shopping one would expect—but more on that later.


More to the point of this missive, however, Harper’s Ferry is also chock-full of history.  Caught in a vicious tug-o-war, the town changed hands no less than 8 times during the Civil War.  It was also the site of the strategically significant Battle of Harper’s Ferry that, ultimately, led to the mother of all bad ideas, the Battle of Antietam.  It was also home to the single largest capture of Union troops during the Civil War… among many, many other historic bits and pieces.


Whether your aim is to find an excuse to hunker down and get serious about the countryside, explore charming, picturesque towns, or do the Civil War Sesquicentennial by the numbers, a journey to Harper’s Ferry won’t disappoint.  The town will feature many Civil War-focused events over the upcoming 4 years and is worth the trip, even if approaching it from a DIY perspective.


For more information on Harper’s Ferry National Park events and programming, go to the source: http://www.nps.gov/hafe.  For additional information from the Harpers Ferry Historical Association give http://harpersferryhistory.org a whirl.  Both sites are comprehensive, well constructed, and very informative.

For the latest, follow me at: http://www.twitter.com/@DeathXDrowning 

© 2011 Death by Drowning