When we are working in the National Parks we spend a lot of time talking to retired people. They are the majority of people who visit the national parks, especially during the week. They are often bringing in their grandchildren to foster a spirit of adventure and give them a sense of history. Yesterday I …
From October 2016
Acorns Are Attacking! They Must Be Nuts!
Ever since we parked the RV under the old trees at Kings Mountain this fall, we have been startled by loud noises, almost like gunshots, at all times of the day and night. We figured out the source very quickly: the acorns are attacking. We usually think of acorns as pretty benevolent things, helpful to …
Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio
When Tom and I were “sightseeing” on our quick trip to Ohio, we decided to stop in Rio Grande, Ohio, to visit the Bob Evans Farm. Even though Bob Evans is one of our favorite restaurants, we had never stopped by the place where it all started. Bob Evans (the man) grew up in Gallipolis, …
National Coal Heritage Area
When you visit the National Park Service website, you can find a listing of National Park sites by state. When we went to Ohio for my Aunt’s memorial service, Tom and I had an extra day to explore a few places along the way. So we visited the National Park Service website and looked up …
Cricket – 1780’s Style
One final thing from our anniversary weekend: the exhibition cricket game. Sunday of the anniversary weekend, October 9, was gorgeous. It was clear and warm with that scrubbed-air low humidity that comes after days of rain. The re-enactors sets up an exhibition cricket game in the field in front of the Visitors Center and I …
Restore or Rearrange
Yesterday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church the associated pastor Jamie Mosteller preached about being restored. He chose as his text Joel 2:23-32 which begins “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come …
Folks Sure Do Dress Funny Here
During the anniversary weekend at Kings Mountain, you could see many people wearing historic clothing. On Friday, October 7, we had almost as many people in 18th century clothing as we did in 21st century clothing. I overheard one little boy tell his parents, “Folks sure do dress funny here!” But dressing in historical clothing …
In Memory of Aunt Joan
Today is the memorial service for my Aunt Joan, my dad’s only sibling. We mourn because we see her now only “in memory”. But, despite the loss, we are not sad today because Aunt Joan was a woman of deep faith and we rejoice that she has reached her heavenly home. Tom and I drove …
African American Monument Dedication
On the morning of October 7, Kings Mountain is a hotbed of activity for the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution. Chapters that had an ancestor at the battle send representatives to lay a wreath as the U.S. Monument in a stirring ceremony. This year we had an additional reason for people to come: …
236th Anniversary Celebration at Kings Mountain
Tom and I returned to Kings Mountain National Military Park to help with their 236th anniversary celebration. The Battle of Kings Mountain was fought on October 7, 1780, so the 236th anniversary celebration was held a week ago. When the weather cooperates, the anniversary celebration weekend draws over 12,000 people so they need all the …