This is not a battle that most people would know if they had a moderate interest in history. But you ought to visit here. We were here in the evening - no one else anywhere around. It is in an isolated area of Western Oklahoma and you have to make the decision to go there because it is not on the way to anywhere else. It was not quiet. The wind blew in the tall grass and the trees. The Washita River, a small stream by Eastern standards, gurgled and splashed across some rocks and birds were singing ever step of the 2 mile hike. This was not a shinning moment in America's history. Custer - in a harsh winter storm - attacked and destroyed the village of Black Kettle. He killed Chief Black Kettle and between 13 and 103 warriors (his number is the high one, survivors the lower) and about a dozen women including Black Kettle's wife. Black Kettle and his wife were both were shot trying to cross the river. Many escaped to other nearby villages. Custer returned to the fort with 50 or so women and children captives. This all occurred about 9 years before Little Big Horn. The photo is the site of the village.
Piles of Gypsum /
The White Sands National Monument is a unique place of more than 275 square miles of gypsum dunes and interesting adaptive vegetation. The dunes are open to walk anywhere which is really neat. And they sell Sand Coasters! You can sled down the dunes. We took a sunset tour with the ranger and learned more than I will retain. But the experience is unforgettable.
Yucca at Dusk /
This is one of the plants that not only live but thrive on the White Sands National Monument in Alamagordo, NM. What an amazing place. The sand is gypsum and this is by far the largest dunes of the kind in the world, over 275 square miles (number 2 has 2 square miles). It is soft, does not hold heat from the sun and is full of moisture deep underneath the surface.
Random /
Umbrellas and chairs at the North Carolina Museum of Art. There is no seeming arrangement of the chairs they are just where anyone left them but the umbrellas are fixed. So the chairs are often re-arranged to get in the shade or for the number of people in a group or around a table if they are having a picnic. Feels like life sometime. Chaos but around principles or purpose or reason, maybe unknown?
"For the lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth
and put everything in place.
He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos." Isaiah 45:18 NLT
Candy Store Memories /
We met Mike a native of Boston's North End. He was about 50 and he was interested in why I was taking photographs of what he saw everyday. So we chatted and then he started pointing out places he lived and played. We passed this door and he said that was the candy store and "when I got a quarter I went straight here." Sadly it is closed and has been for 20 years but his memory is fresh.
Obelisk /
These type of monuments like this one on Bunker Hill a part of the Boston National Historical Park were very popular at one point in the America's history. The obelisks were modeled after classical monuments. The most famous in the US is likely the Washington Monument.
Old North Church /
It is here in Boston that the lanterns were hung to indicate that the British were moving out of the city by the water route. It is a beautiful place with lots of history. The two brass chandeliers were hung in 1724 and used for the first time at Christmas that year. They are still in use today. Old North Church is one of several buildings that are a part of the Boston National Historical Park.
Comet Falls /
We were in Washington state three or four years ago and were able to visit Mt. Rainier National Park. The centerpiece of the park is the magnificent mountain that seems to loom over every vista but there is so much more. This was a short hike of about 2 miles with an excellent waterfall at the end. Comet Falls shoots off the side of a mountain and then crashes down in a cascade of water over three or four smaller drops. These two occur near the bottom.
HWL /
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow did most of his writing in the house both as a lodger before he owned it and owner after he purchased it, when he made use of this room as his study. He was a popular poet, author, professor (knew 11 languages) friend of nearly every 19th century writer of note and lived in this house that was George Washington's Headquarters during the siege of Boston.
Safe /
This lighthouse is along the ocean drive in Oregon. Just enchanting scenery. It still works and it is welcome on the often fog bound coast.
Very early on Sunday morning... /
"...just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Or Jesus the Nazarene. who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!" Mark 16;2-6 NLT
Easter Bonnets /
Just in case you still need one they have a lot at Colonial Williamsburg.
Impossible Blue /
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is the deepest lake in the US at nearly 2000 feet. It has no inlets or outlets. It fills by rain and snow and evaporation keeps it pretty even. But the color of blue is astonishing. This is a shot of the west rim and Wizard Island.
Feels Like Spring /
This is such a beautiful time of the year with the leaves light green and small, flowers everywhere and warming temperatures. Wish I did not also have to add sinus issues and sneezing! Still a light and airy walk at the NC Museum of Art.
Reach /
Among the trees at Redwood Forest National Park in Northern California.
Preparation /
As Cindy and I get ready for another Western trip images like this from an earlier vacation heighten the anticipation. On this journey we will be focused on the extreme south of NM and AZ and then Southern California. Beyond Death Valley neither of us have been in that part of the state. Likewise we have been in the upper half of NM and AZ three times but never along the southern edge. We have targeted more than 20 National Park Service sites and will be publishing photos on Two Lane Touring as we go. On Instagram, also twolanetouring we will focus on camping, food and surprises. Hope you can join us.
Just on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state.
Yes, This is a National Park Goat (3 photos here) /
On the property at Carl Sandburg's home in southwest North Carolina is a small herd of goats from the same families of those raised by Mrs. Sandburg's herds. The NPS keeps about 20 or so and auction off several of the new borns and one or two older ones each year to keep the herd constant. There are also three or four rams on the property.
One of the two-week old goats, super cute.
You're Right If You Knew... /
Friday's post was a CAMERA. Really. It is on the ground of the NC Museum of Art. It is a Camera Obscura. It is a light-sealed room with a small, adjustable aperture in the roof, second photo. The image is cast on the white floor of the room so you are looking down at the trees. I also noted the resident photographer in photo three.
Light changes things! "Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous." Psalm 112 NLT
Adjustable aperture.
Rush /
This is a portion of the lower of the three falls that make up Triple Falls. It is about 1/2 mile from the Hooker falls.
And Your Guess Is? /
What do you think this actually is? Answer on Sunday.
