Colonial National Historical Park Virginia /  by Dave Hileman

The Colonial National Historical Park includes the Colonial Parkway that links Jamestown and Yorktown, NP sites and Colonial Williamsburg which is private. This shot is along the James River on one of the stops along the Parkway. This is a great place in the summer under the shade of these trees getting whatever breeze is there off the James. A wonderful place to read!

Curt and Jackie /  by Dave Hileman

This photo was taken on Sunday at Curt's 90th birthday party - Jackie is nowhere close to that age. I could write about their service to our country, about the wonderful posse of children they raised well who are raising their families equally well into another generation, I could write of their pride of place and country and spend pages on their faith. Their service in a thousand ways to scores of people and churches is known only to the One who really matters. They are inspirational. I include them here because they re-started Cindy and me on the whole idea of camping when they sold us their Rialta. We used it for several trips to Florida, Maine, Montana, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York and ??? We learned a lot and now begin a new chapter with the Oliver travel trailer. Thanks, Curt and Jackie, for all you do and for all you mean to so many people across this world. Blessings and Happy Birthday, Curt. 

Skirmish Line /  by Dave Hileman

At the battle of Cowpens the American line was divided, in a brilliant plan by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, into three lines. The first line were the skirmishers, and this photo is from their vantage point as the British advanced up the Green River Road. The militia sharpshooters were to fire twice and then retreat through the line behind them, manned by more militia, and reform with that line and fire once more. Then the whole second line was to retreat behind the third line, Howard's Continentals (who were not visible as the British approached by strategic placement behind a depression in the landscape) and protect the flanks of those troops. William Washington added another dimension to the plan with the addition of about 200 calvary troops. 

American Art /  by Dave Hileman

Jazz happens here, excellent classic jazz, steeped in history jazz with musicians who knew the best players and sat in with most of them. In New Orleans, go early if you want a seat because most people have to stand in the back. We were on the front bench. What a treat

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park /  by Dave Hileman

Scattered in a line south of San Antonio are four missions dating from the 1600's. They remain active Catholic parishes. The grounds, visitor center and exteriors are managed by the National Park Service. They are small but very attractive. 

"We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary."  Hebrews 6:18b,19 NLT

SNAP /  by Dave Hileman

This is the front door to the Lexington (NC) Candy Company. I parked on the street to do some research in Lexington and found myself right at the front door. Inside was an amazing assortment of sugar confections from fancy truffles to wrapped candy in a barrel. But what captured me was the front screen door. The satisfying "snap" of the spring laden door was exactly the same as the very local candy stores near my home in Pittsburgh. All of a sudden I was transported back a few (!) years. Neat. 

160 Years Old /  by Dave Hileman

This is the monument to the battle of Cowpens erected by the Washington Light Infantry in 1856 one of the earliest on any southern battlefield. It seems less impressive today but it was very meaningful to those who built it in 1856 and is typical of Revolutionary War monuments of the era.. It once had a golden eagle on the top but that was stolen by vandals. Encased in the base, made with sand from Fort Moultrie, were several relics, an account of the battle and roster of the Washington Light Infantry. 

The small adjacent stone was laid years later. It reads: This Monument was erected by
The Washington Light Infantry
Of Charleston S.C.
L.M. Hatch. Capt
April. 1856
Cowpens Chapter D.A.R.
1936

More on the critical battle that paved the way to Yorktown next week. 

How to Buy an Oliver, the Finale /  by Dave Hileman

Off to Tennessee in Jim’s Sunday, rather, our truck to pick up the Oliver and do a break-in week. For us, not the trailer. We stayed in Murfreesboro and toured Stones River National Battlefield before we headed to Hohenwald. On the way, Cindy called Anita to confirm our arrival time and was asked, “What do you want for lunch?” We were a bit confused until she explained that she fixes lunch for folks picking up the Oliver. Not your average experience. 

We met Scott, one of the owners - he wanted to know how we heard about their company. Anita talked with us each time we called for information and sold us the Oliver. Karen, another sales person, took time from her desk to make copies of a magazine article for me. After lunch and the completion of the paper work which involved the final transfer of unmarked hundred dollar bills in a large briefcase, we had a two hour bumper-to-bumper tour of our new trailer. Tommy did not miss a thing. Then he escorted us to a local campground – well after 5:00 quitting time – and showed us how to hook up the electric and water, start the fridge and put out the awning.

After a successful night - meaning we were not eaten by bears, it was back to Tommy at the factory for answers to a couple of additional questions. Then, and this is where the Oliver Company separates itself from the rest of the pack, Tommy didn’t think our hitch was quite right - not Oliver’s responsibility - yet he worked with us for two hours to improve it.

We then motored off to spend a few days touring Tennessee with some expert camping friends. At the end of the tour, we returned to the factory for a couple of adjustments, this time with Dustin who completed additional work on the hitch to improve towing and shared great info with us about his own towing experiences.

The Oliver works well, tows easily and is very comfortable. But, most important, it is supported by a great group of people who produce quality and service as well as travel trailers. As consumers, we have learned that the usual answer to any question is: “What? Are you kidding?” The people at Oliver say: “We would love to help you solve that.”

Waiting for our instructional tour.

Waiting for our instructional tour.

Keyhole Arch /  by Dave Hileman

Early morning in Arches National Park. We really enjoyed the park more than we expected. Nice hikes and amazing scenery. Just not enough time, would like to go back for a week. 

Smile /  by Dave Hileman

So what would you do with a few old unusable propane tanks? Not what I would have thought of, for sure. At the Guglhupf Bakery in Durham. 

Window Falls /  by Dave Hileman

Down a short trail from the parking lot atop Hanging Rock State Park. The trail was packed with people. Three buses of kids from the Governors School added to the congestion. And it was hot. I think the next time will be spring or fall. 

Canyonlands /  by Dave Hileman

Leaving the park after a thunderstorm we watched this rainbow grow and intensify in color. I pulled over on the side of the road and took this photo that looked like it was pointed to a city in the desert. 

"And this will be a sign..." Genesis

How to Buy an Oliver (tow vehicle edition), Chapter Four /  by Dave Hileman

My original plan to tow the trailer with a Subaru was unrealistic so, back in Raleigh, we intensify our search for a vehicle to pull the Oliver. We promised to pick the trailer up in about six weeks so we are under a time constraint. It does not start out well. Most SUV’s are just not up to the task. For the word “most” you can substitute “affordable.” The Porsche Cayenne will do nicely. It is just $60,000 over budget. So we are on to trucks. Then very shortly to four-door trucks. And we find lots of trucks with 200,000 miles and faint lettering behind newly buffed out old paint. 

We narrow our search to three smaller models that seem affordable. Don’t read that as actually small. The Toyota and the Honda are great, but none under 10k look like they would make it to Greensboro. Let alone Alaska. I settle on a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. It is car-like and dropping the K on Trac will drop the weight and save hundreds on gas. We find many we don’t want, and then Jim’s Sunday Truck appears on Craig’s List: one owner, tow package, reasonable mileage, well-maintained, nice guy and not too much over budget and it is white, a bonus. After a very brief test drive, we now own our first truck. Four new tires, new fluids and a new ball for the receiver and we are off to Tennessee to retrieve the Oliver. Along with a few more silver bars to actually pay for it but we have a truck so they fit in the bed. 

Painted Desert /  by Dave Hileman

Now a part of the Petrified Forest National Park the Painted Desert in Arizona is a stark and unforgiving landscape. The colors change as the sun moves across the sky and in different parts there are different minerals exposed so that alters the colors as well. We only did a short walk here, it was very hot. 

Not Quite Expected /  by Dave Hileman

The planning. We have been working on the Boston area for several evenings. We have failed to get the reservations we planned because the area state parks close camping on Monday to Wednesday this fall "to save money." Right. So that forced us out of the Quincy area and to the northwest of Boston. That necessitated a whole new approach to get to the nine National Park sites in an efficient fashion with new plans, schedules and routes for the ferry, bus and subway systems. Also, varied hours for the places to visit, times of tours and best times to photograph and different kinds of sites complicate the whole process. Not to mention the restaurants and ice cream shops we wish to try.