"Thus Always To Tyrants" and ducks! June 13th, 2011

"Sic Semper Tyrrans," the official motto of the state of Virginia and as legend has it,  a phrase that John Wilkes Booth shouted when he shot President Lincoln.

The State Seal of Virginia bears this phrase along with a  female figure personifying the Roman virtue of Virtus.  Virginia's Virtus is a figure of peace, standing in a pose which declares a battle already won. She places her long spear, with its point downward to the ground.
Tyranny lies beneath the foot of Virtus, symbolizing Great Britain's defeat by Virginia. The royal crown which has fallen to the ground beside him symbolizes the new republic's release from the control of Great Britain. The broken chain in Tyranny's left hand represents Virginia's freedom from Britain's restriction of colonial trade and westward expansion.  His robe is purple, a reference to royalty.

Our first night in Virginia was spent in a picturesque town called Edinburg.  The locals were friendly and the weather was a welcome relief from the Texas heat.  We camped near a small river which had fireflies flying nearby.  There were friendly Mallard ducks on the river.  One mating pair came up to us and practically ate bread out of our hands.  Aaron reminded us that feeding wildlife can lead to their ultimate demise.  These ducks were insistent.  It was obvious that they had been hand feed for many years.