Fox Hollow Right Turn: A Barn was Here

Imagine these surrounding as an entirely different place.

As the trail turns a sharp right, you are very near the location of a barn that belonged to a neighbor of the Foxes, Edgar Merchant. A short section of the trail here is on the Merchant property. Today, the rock foundation of Merchant's barn lies under thick spicebush and multiflora rose.
After the turn, you will be walking along an old county road which once connected the Fox family to the town of Front Royal. To your left (and possibly not even visible through the dense forest) is a rusting wire fence over piled rocks. This was once a wall that separated a field from the road. Imagine the fence new, the field cleared, and the barn standing tall. Imagine the wagons, and later cars, traveling down to Front Royal to the markets, or maybe to a social dance.
The time on this road is yours: to think, to explore, to discover what you may. In the summer look for the blackberries and wineberries that line trail. Keep an eye out for bright red cardinals in the winter. You may spot bear or deer along the old road foraging for food. In the fall, as vibrant colors come out, try to identify different trees - dogwoods, hickories, maples, sassafras, black gums, and oaks. Look for wildflowers in the spring as the sun is still shining through the forest canopy. Or, simply enjoy walking a road that many people have walked before.