Visited Ottie...~1891 - 2014~

Every year or so I make the hike to the top of Bluff mountain which is SouthEast of Buena Vista just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and along the Appalachian trail to visit the marker for little Ottie Cline Powell. 

Back in 1891 Ottie and his schoolmates were instructed by their teacher to return with some wood for the schoolhouse stove after their recess period but Ottie never returned. The town came out in force searching the mountain areas for the boy but were not able to find him. Ironically one of the families friends brought a dog that knew Ottie well and the dog insisted in heading upt towards the top of the mountain but the searchers disregarded the dog thinking that there was no way Ottie could\would have headed for the top of the mountain. Ottie's body was found a year later and returned to the town for proper burial. Very good write up of this also posted here...

The hike up to Bluff Mountain is not a long one at about 1.8 miles but with a considerable elevation climb in a short distance. Nothing compared to the 7 miles that Ottie hiked from the schoolhouse... 

In the several hikes that I have made to this spot I have always found items left by the Applachian Trail hikers at the marker and have heard that several Thru-hikers doing the entire 2,227+ miles of the trail carry something to leave Ottie as a present of their visit. Also note that the neame "Ottie" is usually worn & shinny from the hikers rubbing the name. It is also common to see coins left on the marker to record the hikers visit and Dimes are common. This is a variation to the tribute used by many military friends to companions graves....

According to some, leaving coins on a headstone has very specific meaning for military burials. Generally speaking, a visitor who did not know the deceased well enough to be considered a friend might leave a penny. Someone who went through boot camp or a training class with the deceased might leave a nickel. A friend who served in another platoon within the same company might leave a dime. A buddy who served in the same outfit, or was with the deceased when he died, might leave a quarter.

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Exactly how hard is Terry McAuliffe working to get a Virginia budget passed?...

Candidate McAuliffe said he would NOT hold the budget hostage over Medicaid but where is the action & promise?...

The Historical Bottle Diggers of Virginia bottle show...

This past weekend The Historical Bottle Diggers of Virginia had our annual bottle show at the Rockingham County Fair grounds with a great turnout and many interesting bottles\artifacts for sale and on display.

Upon entering people came to a memorial in remembrance of bottle club member and friend David Beyeler who passed away this year. A long time member of the club and friend to many involved in this hobby...

With over 70 tables this is one of the biggest bottle shows in central Virginia and has always had a strong draw of people from many States and other clubs. Many club members specialize in specific type of bottles such as Milk bottles, Medicine bottles, Soda\Beer bottles, Spring water bottles, etc.

Some dealers have been coming to this show for years and look forward to both the sales as well as trading with other collectors and dealers. There was some pretty intense selling & trading going on before the show began. Also there were many tables selling off "Old" inventory to make room for newer additions. I even meet another Scuba diver who dives near Richmond and has some interesting stories to go with many of the bottles he has found...

Numerous dealers from all over the east coast...

In addition to dealer tables there were several display tables of artifacts and collections. 

Club member Sonny S. picked up a impressive flask from Harrisonburg, VA. by W.H. Willis....

Sonny then picked up this very impressive "Black glass" bottle that is very old, possibly late 1600's - early 1700's and one that will be very interesting to learn the history on this item...

New addition this year was food prepared by "Shaney's Shack...

Gene D.  Indian arrowhead collection included a fish hook made out of bone...

Award for most educational display...

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