Attack Duck at Former Mosby Hide Out

This past Sunday's 23 mile training run looped Dave and me through history repeatedly; newly discovered native American encampments along Newlin Mill Rd; the village of Unison, a one time Quaker community now threatened by Loudoun County's rampaging development; three passes in front of the historic mansion of the Wellbourne estate.Wellbourne Inn—see photo-- and hundreds of acres that surround it-- is a beautiful, early 19th century estate owned continuously by the same family and now operated as a b&b. During the Civil War, John Mosby and his troops often checked into Wellbourne for supplies. The Dulany family's Swiss tutor apparently passed on supplies needed by the Gray Ghost and his Rangers. For just of hint of what life was like here 150 years ago, click here.

Passing by especially at dawn or dusk heightens my curiosity and it becomes easier in those hours when the sun isn’t illuminating every to starkly to think back to those war years and envision who may have been hiding behind the next stone wall or cluster of trees. My experiences to date here have been encounters with wild turkeys and deer. No Gray Ghost. No Rangers.
During the Civil War, the Dulany family likely had their guard up and may not have been appreciative of Yankees running back and forth in front of the estate. They probably would have dismissed us as crazy. But maybe we are.

I would caution you not to attempt to fraternize with the guard ducks that protect the entry to Wellbourne. I almost lost a finger!