I put 3700 miles on the bike during this trip. It's a keeper.
There is so much that we did not get to do. The Richmond area is full of important sites, including Appomattox, where Lee surrendered. A Civil War trip is not complete without seeing some of the sites in the District of Columbia, such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Ford Theater, but I didn't want to deal with the traffic on this trip. Following the career of General U. S. Grant would be an interesting trip, much of which would be in the western theater of the war (west of the Appalachians). A trip starting in Chattanooga and tracing Sherman's march to the sea has a particular allure to me. A trip along the Potomac river would be rich in American history of all eras.
Those (and more) will, hopefully, be the themes of trips in the future. It seems like every time I take a motorcycle trip, I think of six or eight new trips that I want to take. I suppose I will still be doing this when I am old and grey...I sure hope so.
I am sad that I was not able to end this trip at Appomattox, but I can end this journal with some of the words spoken there. First, Lee's address to his defeated troops.
"After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.
"I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged.
"You may take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.
"With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell."
And finally, Grant's words to his victorious troops.
"The war is over; the rebels are our countrymen
again and the best sign of rejoicing after the victory will be to abstain from
all demonstrations in the field."