Five Forks and the Memorial Day Weekend

Blessed with a four day weekend away from work, took off from Virginia on a Friday morning after a long (9.5) hour night at work, and a bit of sleep. I rode to Five Forks Battlefield which was an important part of the Civil War. Petersburg and Richmond had been under siege which would be the longest in US history. Grant sent forces to take the Five Forks area which offered a route to the South Side Railroad; Lee's last supply line for his army. Grant's 22,000 troops faced 10,000 Confederate forces under George Pickett on April 1, 1865. The battle turned out to be a rout with 1/3 off the Confederates killed, injured or captured with a loss to the Union of some 800 troops. Petersburg was assaulted the next day, and the city fell with Richmond falling shortly after. Less than a week after that, Lee surrendered his army.
The battlefield is much changed over time; what was fields in 1865 is now mostly covered by trees, though this is the center of the Confederate line. I spent about an hour there, with some of the sites along the way to see, and also checked out the visitor center.
Got to Concord, NC later that afternoon. I-85 was backed up with race traffic, took an early exit and hit some of the back routes to get home. Got in a motorcycle ride to see some of the race track displays, and also visited some friends. At the end of the ride, got pounded in one of the weekend downpours; but it did a good job (after I dried it) of washing the bike, plus my jeans, shirt, shoes, and helmet. That is one of the "joys" of motorcycling. The rains prevented further rides, also greatly impacted the race which was cancelled for Sunday night, and shortened for the Monday running.
I did get oil changed on the car also a fantastic tire balance. For the ride back to Richmond, the car felt like it was on rails.....really good job at Sears in Concord, NC. Good to be back and I will be here till June 6. I also have a big day planned (hopefully the weather will change soon) at the Hog Happenin in Lincolnton, NC that day. That has been a favorite motorcycle event of mine for some years, but will save that for a future post.