I left Ashland about 8am and rode out towards the coldharbour battlefields. I didn't go into the centre of Richmond as its a big big town and on. Loaded touring bike it was certain to be no fun.
As I got near the battlefields I started seeing historical marker signs and knew these fields were full of history...if these fields could talk what a mixed up terrifying tale they could tell.
At the cold harbour battlefield visitor centre the heavens opened big time...I took cover under a tree on the first battlefield..here they have canons located along the confederate lines.
I rode through the woods and stopped at the signed telling the tale of the action at each location. I was soaked to the skin, the humidity was tropical and even though my hands were shriveled with being so damp I was immersed in the past. Here the trenches are still in tact, the confederate and union lines were just a few metres apart in places. I stood in a confederate trench and looked over the woods to where the union lines were...I could have thrown a stone onto them.
I took lots of pictures and forgot all about the time...reluctantly I had to move on and find a place to sleep. The cycle camping marked on my map was shut...great...and just then the thunder came back and I was swimming again. I headed to the church here at Willis road. Here I will sleep, much as the confederate soldiers did during the battle.
I found Scott again...he made Yorktown and is riding back to Charlottesville to get a train back home. He is now the only rider I have met going.both ways!
It is still raining outside but tonight I am inside a safe church...on a battlefield in Virginia.
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