Harpers Ferry – almost heaven

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Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River

Yes, this is the area of which John Denver sang – the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, where the Potomac meets the Shenandoah at Harpers Ferry. Founded by Robert Harper in 1747, it became famous as the site of abolitionist John Brown’s raid in 1859 (he whose body lies mouldering in its grave). The Lower Town today is preserved as a National Historic Park and, across the Potomac, you can climb Maryland Heights (if you get to the top, you’ll be doing better than President Lincoln who had to give up) for views of the town and the confluence and some interesting Civil War history. This is where we started our recent vacation.

From Maryland Heights
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry
John Brown’s Fort
Harper Cemetery
Jefferson Rock
Confluence
Harpers Ferry Butterfly
We stayed in Laurel Lodge, a charming B&B in an Arts and Crafts house full of eccentric curios, lovingly tended by Chris and Ed. The ample breakfasts were delicious and everything in them was locally sourced – the first peaches of the year in honey and rosemary syrup were outstanding. Coming home to a “Jamaica on the Potomac” cake (very rummy and very yummy) was not to be sniffed at either. For other meals, the town and neighbouring Bolivar have plenty of places to eat, and we were particularly taken with the local beer served in Private Quinn’s pub.

Our room at Laurel Lodge
Potomac view from Laurel Lodge
Lots of curios built in
Poignant message
Private Quinn’s Pub
Take me home, country roads….

….well, no actually, it was on to Virginia and Shenandoah National Park. I do hope I haven’t given anyone an ear-worm!

Maryland, USA, West Virginia ,

7 Comments »

  1. My husband was a huge John Denver fan as a child, which I probably would have never known had he not died right after we started dating. I made him stay up all night to watch Princess Di’s funeral the night we met and he made me listen to a John Denver tribute as our second date. Beautiful pictures as always. I haven’t been to West Virginia but I’ve begun to start thinking that the “50 States Club” would be a good travel goal.

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    • Thanks. All 50 states is sort of my goal – but there are some which don’t really seem to have a lot to offer the tourist. I like your dating story – I’m sure not many relationships are built on memorial tributes!

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  2. This looks so beautiful and so relaxing. the wood in your room looks like the wood I have in my home. I like what is written in the cement too

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