Antietam - Maryland (2 photos)

There are famous images made on this battlefield, Burnside’s Bridge and the Sunken Lane are the two you would find most often from this September 1862 battle on a day of heavy overcast skies - the same conditions as I had here on September 2018. This battle took place when Lee first invaded the north and although it was a stalemate in many ways, the north forced the south to withdraw so it is considered a northern victory. Three firsts happened here where more American causalities occurred until June 6, 1944. It is still the second or third most costly single day battle in American history.

First number one, because of the victory, Lincoln was able to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22.

First number two, Clara Barton who had been working with and pestering the government to be allowed on the front line was given that permission in late August of 62 and arrived during the fighting here saving lives and bringing comfort to many. This is her monument and the farm where she did much of her work.

First number three: Matthew Brady’s men, Alexander Gardner and his assistant James Gibson arrived at the immediate end of the fighting and took photos of the dead that startled the world. No one could miss the death and destruction any longer.

Bricks from her home form the red cross

Trip Report

Fall 2018 Two Lane Touring Trip

Details: 

3977.6 Miles across 12 states

99 hours, 27 minutes, 13 seconds drive time

Average moving speed just under 40 MPH 

22 National Parks in eight states

14 first time, 8 revisits (seven of those were first time photographs)

1 New Mountain (Pemetic @ Acadia)

4 State Parks (2 MA, 2 NY)

1 Regional Park (Erie Canal)

1 Non-NPS Museum (George Eastman, Rochester, NY)

1 Baking Nirvana - King Arthur Flour store, cafe and school in NY

2 Wineries (ME and NY)

2 Outlets (Woolrich and LL Bean complex)

2 Farm Stands (NY)

2 Churches attended

1 Trailer Repair (Thank you Brockton RV)

1 Wild Oliver spotted 

3 Boat Rides

6 days with no rain - you do the math

Cost: 

24 days / 23 nights (fuel, tolls, lodging)

1198.11 or $49.92 per day. 

Plus admissions & other transportation: $92

We ate out about 1/2 of the time or slightly more.  

Plus groceries on the trip. Food from a grocery store does not differ from home, so we really don’t count it as a travel cost. We do eat our more often and seek out nice places on trips but that is also largely our entertainment too. We had 8 or nine very nice meals (not all expensive) and spent more than $600 in restaurants, ice cream stops and pastry shops. 

We buy very few trip reminder stuff, occasionally a shirt or mug or… but not major expenses. We do buy gifts and things for grandkids. We refuse to talk about what we spent at King Arthur Flour. Or how much it took to pack it into our rather full truck. 

Other notes: 

1. Everything on the trailer worked very well once the heat issue was resolved. We were comfortable even when temps reached the mid 30’s with no issues. We were able to dry camp five days before we needed to add water and empty holding tanks. Longer than we thought. 

2. Solar does not work when it rains all day. Who knew!

3. The Honda generator worked very well, extra nice to have that on board.

4. The small propane Weber grill equally useful and super easy to use. Love having it with us. 

5. You CAN exercise in a very small trailer. Much to my disappointment. Bridges, side planks, get ups, push ups, planks and squats can all be done inside! Thanks Myra. 

6. Having a moose in the trailer causes a lot of tension.

Cadillac’s Correct Viewpoint!

I am not sure what the guides did - surely not why they did anything - but even with their constant interference, delays and insurrections the trip was a smashing success. I accomplished every goal and gained a new acolyte - he is a lot of work. I did find out he is from Baxter State Park in central Maine and since the tradition of the Moose is to be named for a nearby relic or mountain it turns out his name is Randal. Randal, really, where did that come from?  Oh, well if I can get him out of his lumberjack outfit we might make some progress with civilizing him. I have a plan underway to entice the guides to Alaska and, even though we are not completely sure where it is (off the coast of southern California is the leading contender), I am going to insist we go to Montana on the way. Regal is wonderful, I know she wants to meet me. And then on to conqueror the impediments to full Moose Rights. 

Seriously, do I look like a llama? Why am I alway carrying the pack when it is steep? Something about feeding me, well it is not that good.

Harper's Ferry - West Virginia

I am going to post an image from each of the 22 parks we visited in order of our visits. Shortly after there will be a few images added to that park in the National Park Galleries section.

Today, Harper’s Ferry. This town that clings to the side of a steep hill and has often been flooded by the two rivers that converge was a strategic spot during the Civil War. It was most famous for John Brown’s raid on the US Arsenal that was here, first established by Geo Washington. The National Park Service unit has a visitor center a couple miles from town and they shuttle you in on buses because parking is very scarce. I have been here a few time and it always seems like the town just can’t quite make it. But it is a neat place, lots of scenery and history make their home here.

Stop

Along Acadia’s rocky coast where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

(Tomorrow we will post a recap of the trip and some Cadillac news.)

“I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’ Job 38:11 NLT

Pier

The pier on Seneca Lake at Watkins Glen, NY. This is the classic scene for here but not the classic weather! I think the perfectly proportioned structure is to represent a turn of the century (19 to 20) boathouse.

Trip Recap and some thoughts from Cadillac on Monday.

Some Color

We were early or fall colors were late at MDI this year. This was one of the few bright trees we saw and it was in a brief respite from the rain. I took this shot from the Duck Bridge, one of the original carriage road bridges in the park and one of the higher. It leads to a lovely place to walk to Witch Hole Pond.

Bridge for Two

The Central Cascade bridge in Watkins Glen State Park.

Film Dyes

At the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY, you can visit both the house, amazing, and the museum of photography located in attached buildings. There is also a movie theatre that can play any kind of film in the world. One of the very view that can do this. They show free and fee movies from a huge collection. Edison unveiled his latest motion picture equipment at a press gathering in this very house. This is from a collection of more than 3500, about half on display here, of dyes used in making Technicolor movie prints.

Rocks & Ocean

Some rocks off shore along the Ocean Walk at Acadia National Park. This was an 18 second exposure at f11 and 18mm. I had to raise the f-stop to get a long enough exposure or at least the one I was looking for on this shot. It is also cropped to take out a shoreline rock.

Dressed for Winter

This solitary Spotted Sandpiper was poking through the rocks and seaweed on the shore at Little Hunter Cove in Acadia. I liked the colors of the debris in contrast to his somber winter colors. He stopped bobbing his tail and probing for insects long enough to pose for his portrait. Nice of him.

Little Brewster Island and Lighthouse

One o the National Park sites we were able to visit is a collection of islands in Boston Harbor. Some are just NPS, some are held in partnership with other organizations. Still other islands in the harbor are private. When we were there there were only two islands open for touring and two partnership spots. We went to one island and one partnership. The island in the photo is of Little Brewster Island & Lighthouse and is one of the more challenging to get to simply because of the very limited hours and occasional days that it is open. But we sailed sort of close and I shot this from our boat just after leaving another island.

“If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139: 9,10 NLT

Seal Harbor Sunset

Peaceful evening, gentle waves, slight wind.

Another Perspective

This is the ship’s prow pulpit at the Seaman’s Bethel in New Bedford, MA. The Bethel included classrooms for the sailors as well as services.

Travel Diary Final Day

We drove down I-81 to Fishersville to attend church at Bridge. This is a church doing a very good job serving the community and growing as they do. Loved the service this morning. We wished we could have stayed and had lunch with friends but we needed to get home because the week was going to be busy. We chose to travel down 29 to avoid the heavy truck traffic on 81 that seems to build even more on Sunday. It added a tiny bit of travel time but was an easy drive. We did stop briefly for lunch in Lynchburg. Arrived home at about 5 and had some help unloading: thanks Geof, Alli and Kellen. Still lots to do but we were in and the trailer, very dirty trailer, was parked until we could clean it, maybe Sunday. I will fill in some stats later. 

Cadillac’s Correct Viewpoint!

Home. Almost, I am still with the guides but I need a quiet place to work and they are heading to something called Tennessee - a no moose state, why go? Anyway, it was a super trip. I got to see many cousins, made a few new acquaintances and found a new calling. And I got this fabulous award. I think it was the Everythingism Award of Valor and Excellence. I guess I am now the superintendent of the National Parks. I won’t let that power go to my head. 

Of course I will not abandon all my other talents but Moose Rights is now a priority. And I have a plan - most of a plan. I heard back from two moose, one named Regal, a different tribe but I think we are distantly related. She is from Montana a state I always admired and wanted to visit. She is interested in helping out Moose Rights — and she sounds very pretty. And I heard from Fairlane, from another tribe, in Alaska. The tribe there is huge, 200,000 moose strong and he is one of the leaders. So, the plan is to take what’s his name and go to Alaska because that many moose will be able to make great headway in the cause. Along the way I might get to Montana!

The first issue is where is Alaska? I found two maps but it seems hard to pin down and it must have a wall around it. It looks like an island on one and attached to something called Hawaii in the other. So, phase one - find Alaska. Phase two - embark on a plan to convince the guides they need to go to Alaska. That might be hard as they certainly had difficulty getting to Maine and we all know where that is, but they did persist. With a little gentle persuasion from me. I am sure I can accomplish this with a bit of time. After all, wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming each night to accomplish my goals are some of my most outstanding qualities.

Marsh Walk Late Day

At the southern end of the Cape Cod National Seashore we walked along two paths that led across marsh lands. Not too many birds, a bit disappointing there but the air was so nice and it was the last warm day we had on the trip.

Travel Diary 24

We left the campsite with much less drama than on arrival. We choose not to empty the tanks as we were on our last day out. We took Rt 15 south to Williamsport, home of the Little League World Series but did not stop until the Woolrich outlet store by the original factory. We got a bag of bargains and in an hour were on the way south again. The next stop was at the Allegheny Portage National Historic Site (#213). This was a place where they winched and moved by locomotive canal boats up one side and down the other to complete the route between Philly and Pittsburgh. There were five stations on each side, quite an engineering feat. We also got caught in the rain, you would think after nearly three weeks of rain every day we would not start off down a short trail with no umbrella or rain gear. You would think that but you would be wrong. We stopped in Winchester, VA at a Walmart on Rt 50 neat Rt 37 and had a good night. I think we had lunch and dinner but have no memory of either.

Cadillac’s Correct Viewpoint!

We are rolling south and about time. I see by the road signs we are making decent time and it is lovely with the rain just pouring down. I risked disappointment and took a couple of naps but the guides seemed to stay the course this time. We did stop for some “boat up a mountain” place and to buy a shirt. You would think they had enough shirts. At least there were no cannon at either stop. Neither stop was too long and, except for a stop for dinner at some guy’s house named Bob Evans, we were in Virginia before nightfall. And Virginia is like a short walk to NC, almost home. 

I have some exciting news about the fight for Moose Rights but I need to get a bit more information. The response was, well, weak. But there was a response and I have written back to both of them for clarity. Plus “the Question Moose,” is in. He seems to be in for anything I suggest, I will certainly be a good influence for him. It was important for me to recall that the other’s rights began with only a few souls, we don’t need many to start. I will work late tonight on the plans and hope to reveal some of them tomorrow. Also, and this is so exciting, I “think” I may finally be getting an award. Or at least it sounded like that when they thought I was asleep. Tomorrow will be a big day.

Watkins Glen

Send a Letter

This is the mail car from the late 1930’s that were a part of many trains. I was amazed at all the sorting and handling that was done while the train was rolling along.

Harriet Tubman

This was her home late in life. She moved here at age 74 and lived here more than 20 years. The house burned in the 1880’s but was rebuilt by Harriet and her second husband who was a mason. There were two types of old bricks on the house, one sandy and a bit crumbly and one with more minerals that is darker and wears well. Those are mixed with the modern bricks used in the very recent reconstruction. The interior is not finished so it is not yet open to the public.

Travel Diary 23

We left late in the day for Watkins Glen on the south end of the finger lakes. It was a short trip. We did stop at a farm that was out of the way a bit for maple syrup. Turned out to be an Amish farm and we had a nice chat with the lady selling the syrup. She also gave us some freshly picked lettuce. In Watkins Glen I went to the state park first because I was not able to get a reservation online but when I arrived the host found us a spot in the non-electric areas. We were fine with no hookups. It was a tough site to back into but nice once we were in. Then down the hill to walk the Glen. It is a narrow canyon about 2.4 miles long with 19 waterfall and lots of steps. We walked UP the equivalent of 43 flights of stairs, according to the app on my iphone. It was also pretty wet because of all the rain recently. It is not a National Park but well worth the stop. We also found decent ice cream at a place that has been here for years. We were in Watkins Glen once before - 49 years ago! That time was for both a Can-Am and F1 race. We were able to stay at a nearly by lake at a vacation home the family of Cindy’s friend from college owned. I sailed in a small sailboat for the first time and loved it. Except the wind stopped when I was quite a distance from the house and we missed part of the race. They used to race on the city streets, that was before our first visit, and we traced the historic course. Slowly. We stopped downtown to poke around but I got a migraine and so back to the trailer. Dinner in and an early night. 

Cadillac’s Correct Viewpoint!

I thought we were headed home, packed up ready to go and eager to begin the work of Moose Rights in earnest. Guess what we did, drove 40 miles. That’s right, 40 miles and we stopped. The guides went to look at a ditch and I went along only because most people were not able to get back to me yet on their interest in Moose Rights. I imagine they were out chatting with neighbors and gaining supporters. At the ditch I saved Guide CJH, remember, the good guide, from being washed into the canyon. I think the other one was taking pictures. Fine decision on my part to go with them. 

We then rode around what was once a race track. That is another thing to add to my list of needed rights. Why can’t I get a drivers license? Then I would not need these guides and I would be wonderful at it. In fact, I imagine with my finely tuned sense of balance and judgement, one of my outstanding qualities, along with natural moose vision, I would have zoomed around this little burg in record time. 

Night is falling, people are sleeping and I still have not heard from anyone. Tomorrow will be better. First I need some ice cream to think clearly. 

Here you can see I jumped between her and the terrible waterfall just before she would have been swept away. Maybe I will get an award?

Stone Tower

There is a little cove we like to go to in Acadia that not many people choose to find. It is aways lovely. One interesting thing is that I always see these little towers that people build in this location. Some are several stones tall. Not many other places but this one seems to provide the inspiration and the stones.