December 16, 2021
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 river.
Island Ford Visitor Center
While small, the visitor center provided a lot of information. A very helpful park ranger also pointed out the best places to visit. Sadly, we did not have the time to see them all.
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 them and, living in a small motorhome, buying physical books is a no-no. So I saved a lot of money.
On the wall just before the museum entrance is a Civil War timeline prior to the start of the Atlanta campaign in the summer of 1864. Once inside you get both sides of the story as to why the Civil War was fought. Being a presidential election year, you’ll learn why President Lincoln wanted a clear victory to help ensure his chances for reelection. The war had entered its fourth year and the Union appeared to be no closer to victory. Confederate President Jefferson Davis believed that if his armies could just hold on, the Union would sue for an end to the war.
 Setting the Stage – Union Perspective |
 Setting the Stage – Confederate Perspective |
December 4-5, 2021
South Carolina Science Museum
What we thought would be a one day event, turned into two very full days. And we still had to hurry. I took hundreds of pictures to capture as many of the exhibits as I could. Sadly, all the pictures I took on the second day “disappeared.” I’m not sure if that was due to technical difficulties or user error. But there were still plenty left for this post.
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 was open, but the museum portion was not. The restrooms were, thankfully, also open.
Before you head out to explore the park, make sure you check the Mosquito Meter…
Mosquito Meter
As you can see, we visited on the rare All Clear day. Woohoo!!
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 some time in the visitor center and museum. As usual, we did everything, spending much of the day there.
Shortly after we arrived a ranger-led walking tour was about to begin. The tour took about an hour and covered much of the battlefield.
The battle took place on March 15, 1781. Although outnumbered by more than two to one, at the end of the day the British Army under General Cornwallis held the field while the American Army under General Nathaniel Greene had retreated 15 miles. Because they held the field this was, technically, a British victory, but a very costly one. A little over six months later, Cornwallis would find himself trapped at Yorktown, VA.
General Nathaniel Greene’s Statue
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 surrounding area, enjoying its restaurants, and learning quite a bit about its Colonial and Civil War history. This post focuses on the Colonial period.
Hugh Mercer Apothecary
Want to learn about the latest advances in Colonial medicine? Want to learn more about Scotsman Hugh Mercer and his descendants? Then this living history spot is the place to go. Two staffers dressed in period costume spent quite a bit of time talking about Colonial era medicine, surgery, and dentistry.
November 17-20, 2021
Fredericksburg NBP Visitor Center
Fredericksburg, VA linked the Union’s capital, Washington, DC, to the Confederate’s capital, Richmond, VA. During the Civil War that made Fredericksburg a target. Four major battles were fought in and around this town between 1862 and 1864.
All these battles were fought between the Union’s Army of the Potomac and the Confederates’ Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E. Lee.
October 14-16 2021
Downtown Amana
We spent several very busy days exploring the Amana Colonies which are comprised of seven separate, but closely related villages: Amana, East Amana, Middle Amana, High Amana, West Amana, South Amana, and Homestead. The colonies were one of many self-sufficient communities that sprang up in the 1800s.
October 6, 2021
Minuteman Missile NHS Visitor Center
South Dakotans, knowing they would be at ground zero during a nuclear war, had varying opinions about the missiles in their midst. Some objected to being targets. That’s understandable. Others enjoyed the boost to the local economy. One resident said, “These silos are here to preserve peace. At worst, they’re a necessary evil. At best they help our local economy…” That’s understandable too…I guess.
September 11, 2021
While traveling to our Phoenix Cruiser Travel Club reunion in Spearfish, SD, we stopped in the little town of Deer Lodge, MT. That’s where you’ll find the little known but fascinating Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site.
Spirit of the Woods 