This holiday weekend, why not retrace the steps of our founding fathers and some of the most influential figures of the Civil War? But this week, you don’t need a full tank for this trip. We're going to Lexington and Rockbridge County to visit attractions that go back hundreds and even millions of years.

The Monacan (web) Indians called it God's Arch. Today, we know it as Natural Bridge. Legend has it that a young George Washington while surveying the area, carved his initials along the wall, something that you can still see here today. Last year a historian made an imprint of the initials.

Dean Ferguson, Natural Bridge Historian - "We got an idea to make some copies of this, for me in particular it was so folks would be able to see it, standing at this distance sometimes it's very hard."

After you've snapped a few pictures, head up Route 11 to Lexington. Park your car and hop on a horse and buggy at the visitor's center. Let guides like Angel McCreary tell you about Lexington's history.

Angel McCreary, Historical Guide - "So they rebuilt it and renamed it Washington College and it was renamed again in the 1870's after Robert E. Lee was President of the school from 1865 until his death."

Have the buggy stop at Cocoa-Mill Chocolate Company. Bon Appetite, Southern Living and the Wall Street Journal have all written rave reviews, along with most folks in Lexington.

Sarah Mayo, Cocoa Mill Chocolate Co. - "People come in here and they have to have their daily chocolate fix and if we don't have what they want they start freaking out so we have to keep things pretty stocked all the time."

I got to try a chocolate-raspberry truffle, one of their best sellers.

"Wonderful, thank you, yum!"

Then you can burn off some of those calories with a walk around Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's house, where he lived before the war.

Jean Clark, Tourism for Lexington, Rockbridge Co. - "Jackson is primarily known for his military strategy and while that is brilliant too, there was the other part of him too, and some of that leads to his quirkiness, some of his daily habits which lend themselves to his success as a military leader."

After some window shopping, let the kids hop around at VMI's parade ground, where for the Fourth of July weekend, a dozen hot air balloons will take off at dusk.  If you're brave, you can ride along.

First Time Rider - "It's not one of my bucket list things to do, but it's hers!"

It's one more thing you won't forget about your trip.

Woody Sadler, Co-Chair of Balloon Rally - "We see the Allegheny's out to the West and the Blue Ridge out to the East--it's a great site when you get out there."

Click here for more information on the Lexington area.

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