Category Archives: Parks

Gulf Islands National Seashore and Fort Pickens

January 16-23, 2022 We spent a week at the Fort Pickens Campground which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. We’d been here once before and enjoyed it enough to come back. We explored Civil War era Fort Pickens … Continue reading

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Jimmy Carter NHS, Plains, GA

January 6, 2022 Most National Park sites represent “old” history, i.e., events that happened before I was born. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is different. I was old enough to vote in the presidential election that pitted Jimmy Carter … Continue reading

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Andersonville NHS, Andersonville, GA

December 31, 2021 The day we visited was cloudy and dozens of vultures circled above us. While that felt eerie it also seemed fitting. The Andersonville National Historic Site encompasses a portion of the notorious Civil War Andersonville prison camp. … Continue reading

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National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville, GA

December 31, 2021 Every war-related museum – from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan – that I have visited celebrates our armed forces strength, power, bravery, and perseverance. Except this one. The National Prisoner of War Museum, part of … Continue reading

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Allatoona Pass Battlefield State Park, Georgia

December 20, 2021 Union Commander: Brig. Gen John M. Corse Troops: 2,000 Casualties: 706 (35%) Confederate Commander: Gen Samuel French Troops: 3,200 Casualties: 897 (28%) The Battle of Allatoona Pass was fought on October 5, 1864. While the battle was … Continue reading

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Chattahoochee River NRA and Old Mill Park

December 16, 2021 Chattahoochee River NRA The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area protects most of a 48-mile stretch of this historic river. We spent the morning wandering the Island Ford Visitor Center and taking a nice stroll along this scenic … Continue reading

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Kennesaw Mountain NBP

December 14, 2021 I really liked this visitor center’s museum and gift shop/bookstore. Unfortunately, the theater was closed so, no film. I drooled over and could have spent a lot of money on books but…I already owned about half of … Continue reading

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Congaree National Park

December 2, 2021 The Congaree National Park was formerly known as the Congaree Swamp National Monument. But, repeat after me…Congaree is not a swamp, it’s a floodplain. That’s the first thing I learned. The gift shop at the visitor center … Continue reading

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Guildford Courthouse NMP, North Carolina

November, 26, 2021 There are several ways to enjoy this park. One is to attend a ranger-led walking tour. Another is to take the driving tour or to walk the trails along which the fighting occurred. Finally, you can spend … Continue reading

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Colonial Fredericksburg, VA

November 21-22, 2021 I lived in Fredericksburg, VA from 1974 until 1978. But at that time, as a newly minted enginerd, I wasn’t too interested in its history. Forty-three years later, I spent a week exploring the town and the … Continue reading

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