Goshen Pass, Photo Courtesy of Rockbridge Tourism
During the 2013 Bike Virginia Tour we will enjoy the splendors of the Maury River on several instances starting right at Headquarters. The river, 42.8 miles in length is located entirely in Rockrbidge County, the home of first event center and camp for 2013.
The Glen Maury Park location even offers the chance to fish, float, and kayak on any day we are there (June 21-23, and 26).
Named the “Maury” in 1968, the title honors a fascinating man, Matthew Fontaine Maury. As I researched the Goshen Pass on the Maury River in preparation for the tour I became enchanted by his story as I am a lover of the sea and am fascinated with ocean navigation and weather. (Yes, in addition to living and breathing biking I am a closet science fan).
Maury was extremely accomplished. He was a one time US Navy Commander then educator, recognized for his work in astronomy, oceanography, cartography, meteorology, education, and geology. Once nicknamed “Pathfinder of the Seas” and “Father of Modern Oceanography and Naval Meteorology” Maury was later called “Scientist of the Seas,” thanks to his books, including The Physical Geography of the Sea (1855), “the first extensive and comprehensive book on oceanography to be published. Maury made many important new contributions to charting winds and ocean currents, including ocean lanes for passing ships at sea.”(Wikipedia, 2013)
A plaque dedicated to Maury’s memory is located in Goshen Pass in Rockbridge Virginia which you will visit during the Saturday June 23, bike route, the Great Historic De Tour. The Goshen Pass became a favorite spot of the man during his time in Lexington.
Maury died in February of 1873 at the age of 67. His remains were carried through Goshen Pass on their way to Richmond’s famous Hollywood Cemetery at this request to collect some of his favorite flowers from the Rhododendron, thus the memorial’s location. He was later buried between Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler in Richmond.
Hollywood Cemetery is one of my favorite Virginia destinations. The parklike setting along the James River is home to a very interesting collection of graves. I’m hoping we can take you there on a future Bike Virginia! Anyway, back to the story at hand.
Maury, an author, teacher, and inspired scientist wrote prolifically before and during his time teaching at VMI. You’ll get to see part of Maury’s former stomping grounds, the beautiful and stately VMI campus, on Saturday’s bike route too.
Another interesting link to Virginia reaches Southwest Virginia. Based on his recommendations and encouragement to add an agricultural arm to VMI, the state created the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College which is now called Virginia Tech (National Park Service 2013). The Bike Virginia Tour Visited the campus of Virginia Tech in 2011.
Maury’s respect was widespread and included international and extraterrestrial honors. He was knighted in several countries, had ships named in his honor, and even had a crater on the moon named for him! So there you go, the Maury River and the Maury Crater on the Moon bear some of the same inspiration in their name.
If you are a history buff you might enjoy reading some of the following pages
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/ends/maury.htm
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v11/n3/maury
http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Electrical_Excursions_of_Mathew_Fontaine_Maury_(1806-1873)
Rockbridge County, Courtesy of Rockbridge Tourism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Fontaine_Maury