It’s the same story no matter where I’ve lived -- months, in some cases years, go by until I finally get to the number one tourist attraction in town.

And in most cases its when someone from out of town is visiting and I’m frantically trying to think of something to do other than my usual -- sitting on the coach and watching whatever I’ve DVRed.

Thankfully, I haven’t had to wait until a friend or family member come to town to get to Appomattox. I got to do it as part of my workday (have I mentioned I love my job).

The trip didn’t disappoint. Being from the Midwest, we didn’t get to visit historical Civil War battle sites in our 4th grade field trip. The best we could do was VHS dubs of a PBS special. You Virginians are pretty lucky.

Our first stop was Holliday Lake. Even though Google maps said it was just a few miles from the Court House National Park, we kept turning down roads and seemed to be getting further and further from civilization. Then the tree growth got denser and denser and to be honest, I had a panicky moment that there was a lady at the end of the road living in a house made entirely of candy and I should start dropping bread crumbs fast.

We finally got to Holliday Lake in what actually took less than 10 minutes-it just felt like we were delving into the wilderness. I came to find that’s part of the draw. You really feel tucked away and back to nature there. The beach was full of kids and I gladly took my sandals off to put my toes in the sand.

I also dragged Mike Fisch, my photographer along on a hike. Well, it was sort of a hike. More like a quick jaunt in the woods. I was afraid he might trip on a stump and end up taking a tumble, so we turned around, but we certainly worked up a sweat. Little did I know this was a premonition for things to come.

Next stop was the Courthouse. I was amazed at how large the area actually is. Looking across the Park, you can really get a feel for how the area once looked and imagine the Confederate soldiers walking over the hills. Standing in the McLean house was amazing. I know that the house was dismantled and reconstructed much later-but to think this is where Lee and Grant stood and what must have been going through their minds is overwhelming. It was such a pivotal moment in American History and it all happened in Appomattox.

One thing you won’t see in this week’s segment is the amazing day camp program the Court House is offering for kids this summer. It’s free and it’s a great way to get kids hooked on history and the environment early on. Unfortunately, Mike and I were hurrying to catch up with a group of campers, when he came down hard on his ankle. We had to leave fast and head for the nearest gas station for an ice pack.

I drove us back to Lynchburg with a smile on my face, feeling I had finally crossed off an important item on my list of Virginia Things to do. And with Mike elevating his ankle in the passenger site, I felt a little like a Confederate nurse taking care of a war ravaged soldier. Luckily ice is easier to come by in 2008 than in 1865.