TOUR AMERICA, 2021: YOGI BEAR’S JELLYSTONE PARK, WILLIAMSPORT, MARYLAND

Friday, May 14, 2021

Temperature, Low 49 Degrees; High 71 Degrees

The Industry Museum

Well, the tide rolled in again today. Sort of. It’s apparent that the gas shortage has altered weekend plans for a lot of people. Oh, there are more than the normal amount of rigs in the park but nothing like the previous weekend. Unfortunately, we have a new neighbor on our driver’s side. The first thing he did after pulling in was unroll a string of rope lights to mark off his supposed site. The fact that he took almost all of the area that is our site didn’t seem to faze him in the least. Then he put out a POW flag with a spotlight shining on it day and night. Let’s not forget the smoker and the oversize barbeque grill. I believe the only thing he left home would be his bathtub! This is going to be a most interesting weekend.

Let’s go back for a moment to Harper’s Ferry. One of the most fascinating museums on Shenandoah Street was the

This is the story of the

John Hall was one of the most influential inventors and manufacturers of the 19th century. Hall contracted with the U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry to produce his patented breechloader rifle. The rifle would be revolutionary in the fact that it would be the first rifle ever developed with interchangeable parts.

Early on skilled craftsman produced most of a weapon by hand. It usually took two men to make a barrel and six finished barrels in one day was considered a fair day’s work. John Hall utilized the water power of the Shenandoah River to drive machinery that now allowed one worker to produce 14 to 16 barrels a day.

In addition, Hall’s gun smiths utilized advanced cutting, drilling and drop forge machines which completely eliminated the need for hand forging.

For more of the story we go, now, to the Industry Museum.

A recreation of the Armory shop. Note the belts and pulleys. A main pulley ran from this floor to the cellar below where one would find the main wheel driven by water power. To engage a particular machine on this floor one would move a wooden paddle hanging from the ceiling.

Some of the specialized machinery developed and used at the Armory at Harper’s Ferry.

I found the machinery in this museum so interesting. First, someone had to come up with the idea for each. Next, someone had to actually draft the plans for each machine. Continuing, someone had to figure out how to make it. Finally, someone had to actually learn how to use it.

So much for today’s visit. We have one more visit to make to Harper’s Ferry. It’s the story of one man and his cause. Till tomorrow.

As for today. Last week I casually remarked to my son Adam that I really didn’t like where our front TV was. I wanted to put it behind our couch. But, since I was not allowed to do that I said I really would like to put our front TV on a swivel so I could turn it toward our recliners.

Today, Adam showed up, swivel bracket in hand. He told me to sit back and he would have it up in no time. And so he did.

Our TV on its new swivel bracket. Wow, what a difference it makes. The TV now faces us where we sit. We like it.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. We did some shopping. Our TV was remounted on a new bracket which makes for better viewing. We enjoyed Tacos for our mid-day meal. Life is good.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!