Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Temperature, Low, 52 Degrees; High, 79 Degrees

Wonderful Lasting Memories

Counting down the days and hours now. Soon, oh so soon we’ll be back on the road again. However, we won’t be leaving empty handed – so to speak; when we leave it will be with so many wonderful and beautiful memories of time spent with family and friends.

Late morning we went over to spend some more time with my son Adam and our grandson Jarrett.

Jarrett was in school until 2 pm. Yup, that’s the new way that some kids go to school today. Doesn’t matter where you access your computer, so might as well get comfortable and enjoy the experience!

Once Jarrett was free we spent several hours playing Mexican Train,.

Oh so soon it was time once more to say – until we meet again. Times like this make life so beautiful and wonderful. We thank the good Lord that we had so many of them this trip.

But the day was not over.

We were going to meet some very special and dear friends for supper.

Ms. Barbara and myself on the left; Mark and Susan on the right. Mark and Susan mean the world to us. We have gone through triumph and tragedy together. We have cried and laughed together. We have known good times and bad times together. Side by side we have walked through some really special times in life.

Tonight was a time to catch up. A time to share war stories. A time to laugh until the tears washed down our cheeks. A time to affirm that special bond between us. Mark and Susan are definitely two of God’s most beautiful people. We count it a joy and a privilege to have them in our lives.

As for the restaurant itself.

What a wonderful place it turned out to be. I was delighted to see the many different murals on tables, chairs and booths. The food, too, proved to be great. We all left as members of the clean plate club.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. It was a special day from start to finish. We came here wanting to see family and friends and we have not been disappointed. These past weeks have been filled with so many beautiful memories that we will cherish and that will bring a smile to our faces for years to come. Thank you Lord for these precious days we have enjoyed.

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!

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Temperature, Low 48 Degrees; High, 61 Degrees

Graduation Party

Well, we all over slept this morning. No one really wanted to get up. However, the time came when we all had to get up and get going. Amanda and Ben needed to return home. Ms. Barbara and I had a family graduation party to attend. It was hard saying goodbye to Amanda since we knew we would probably not see her again for a few years. So with hugs and tears we said – not goodbye – but we said till we meet again.

Ms. Barbara and I then headed off to

a family graduation party for

our grandson Mikey and his girlfriend, Brie. They both are graduating from High School this month. After graduation Mikey will be attending trade school and Brie will be attending a local four year college.

The party was given by

Mikey’s sister and our granddaughter, Tori and her husband Ryder.

What a spread they put out. We had pulled pork, brisket and chicken plus salads galore. It was all oh so good and I for one was once again a member of the clean plate club.

From left to right, in front: Our son Adam, our grandson Jarrett, Brie, our granddaughter Tori and her husband Ryder. In the back from left to right: Ms. Barbara, our grandson Mikey, and myself.

As an aside Tori and Ryder have three dogs.

This is Tank who you could fit in your pocket.

This is Piper who would also fit in your pocket.

Then there is Lincoln who you could probably put a saddle on and ride around the yard! Suffice to say he is big. He comes up to my waist and he is not yet full grown. I can only imagine what he will be like in another year.

All too soon it was time for us to say until we meet again and head for home. It will be at least a few years before we are able to see everyone again.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. We had another wonderful day with family and friends. This is why we came here and we’re so glad for all the opportunities we’ve had to spend with our kids, grandkids, and even the granddogs. In addition we’ve met and spent time with a lot of wonderful people who were here in the park for just a day or two. We’ll leave here the end of this week with many beautiful and lasting memories. 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!

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Temperature, Low 59 Degrees; High 74 Degrees

John Brown

Family Invasion

Our park is going strong this morning. The tour wagon is rolling throughout the park with kids galore singing at the top of their lungs. The pool is full of happy kids and adults splashing and laughing and having a cool time. The canteen is open and offering some really delish sundaes – I’ll be going up there a bit later. It’s just great to see so many people enjoying life and having a great time.

Time now to finish our trip to Harper’s Ferry Historical Park. We’re going to look at an individual that some have called the most controversial figure in the history of Harper’s Ferry.

Called a martyr by some, a madman by others, Brown and what he attempted is often viewed as the spark that brought about the Civil War.

How did he do this? This is his story.

John Brown was first and foremost a business man. However, he was not a very good one. His business career involved almost 40 years of opportunity and loss spread over 15 businesses in four states. However, due to a combination of bad luck, poor decisions, illness and an economic crisis in 1837 his family almost always knew poverty. He confessed at one point in his life that he had a strong desire to die. Finally, he found his true calling, a strong desire to free slaves and abolish the institute of slavery. How would he attempt to do this?

His plan was simple, invade the U.S. Arsenal and Armory at Harper’s Ferry. Then, with the captured weapons he would arm slaves in the surrounding area and then with them he would push southward to free even more slaves.

On October 16, 1859 John Brown and his men left the Kennedy Farmhouse and headed to Harper’s Ferry.

On 10:30 pm on that night, John Browns raid began.

His band of insurgents quickly seized The U.S. Arsenal, The Armory, The Rifle Works, and the

bridges over the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

By 10 am the following morning Brown’s invasion was in trouble. His expected support never came, but hundreds of volunteer militiamen did arrive. They cut off all of his routes of escape and by midafternoon had killed over half of Brown’s men.

By that afternoon only Brown and four of his men remained. They quickly retreated to the Fire House that once stood next to The Armory.

The assault on Brown’s Fort the next day only lasted a matter of minutes.

Thirty-six hours after it began John Brown’s attack on slavery in the Southern States was over. John Brown and the others were in custody. But the controversy had just begun.

Retribution for Brown was swift. He was quickly tried and condemned to die by hanging.

He was hung on December 2, 1859

These pieces of scaffold are believed to be remnants from the gallows on which John Brown was hanged.

Our trip to Harper’s Ferry Historical Park has come to an end. There is much more to be discovered and told about this fascinating park but for now we’re going to call it quits. Let me encourage you, if ever in this area take time to visit this park for yourself. You’ll never regret the time you will spend here.

As for our day on The Road of Retirement it ended with a family invasion.

Amanda and her significant other Ben, and the grand dogs came over for the weekend. They, in a nice turn of events, made supper for all of us. I used to think our rig was really big but put four people inside and it gets tight real quick. Out to the picnic table we went. They’ll be here until tomorrow and we’re so thrilled to have this time with them.

The night ended with the Yogi Bear Cast of Characters and the golf cart parade. A most fitting end, indeed, to a wonderful day from start to finish.

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!

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!