I take a deep breath and sign up for a trip with a group that I do not know. 40 total strangers and me. the pouring rain in the early morning gives me pause, but I am welcomed up for shelter under the Union League awning by Albert, so I feel some sense of relief. Once on the bus, All the first timers are automatically recognized and several people immediately welcome me, asking how I decided to come on the trip. this is a good beginning.
We stop for lunch and some sightseeing on our own in Fredericksburg a small town with some historic sites and a Saturday farmers market where I buy some local honey. This area saw much devastation perpetrated by Union troops, my first taste of the cruelty of the North. Along the streets are quaint signs and restaurants and boutique shops. I stop into the Masonic Cemet
ery .
Later in the afternoon, we visit a small winery where the talkative amiable manager gives us a 'tour' of his small operation. I end up striking up a friendly banter with another customer, who is himself so fun loving, we laugh and kibutz at the wine tasting.
It is at the evening pizza party that I start to relax and get a sense of the members of this amazing society of Civil War, General Mead, history loving folks. Each has a story, and they are all so very interesting, so I look forward to hitting the road tomorrow for the tour of the wilderness.
