I’ve been using my NPS map to plan my wandering the past few months. The NPS.gov site is great, of course, and I love the app, but the printed map shows all the NPS sites all over the country making it easier to plan road trips. Independence I came to Independence to see both the Harry Truman National Historic Site and Truman Presidential Library and Museum. I also drove out to his family farm another day. The house is by…
Leaving Hot Springs, I got an early start so I could stop at Fort Smith National Historic Site. Such interesting history, glad I took the opportunity to visit. The area was the site of a fort as early as 1817, the second fort was built in 1838. It was occupied by Confederate soldiers in 1861 but Union soldiers forced them out in 1863. It was originally built to “keep peace” in Indian Territory (i.e. Oklahoma) between the local tribe, the…
On the drive from Chattanooga to Hot Springs I went through Little Rock. Fortunately, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site had Saturday hours. I didn’t make it in time for the 1300 guided Ranger tour, but I spent an hour and a half in the visitor center then about an hour following the NPS app audio tour of the grounds. I was very glad for the opportunity to visit and learn more about this event. They have…
The visitor center at the park is closed for new exhibits for several months but I wanted to visit Shiloh National Military Park anyway and tour this important battlefield. The movie is still showing in the theater. Like most of the informational videos in the parks, it provides a great overview of the battle. April 6 & 7, 1862, “Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America’s…
Continuing my visits to Civil War battlefields, I went to Chattanooga. I wanted to visit Chickamauga, the first preserved Civil War battlefield, created in 1890. There are multiple areas that are part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. Chickamauga has a great visitor center, a video about the battle and siege of Chattanooga. There is a QR code for an online tour or an audio tour with your phone. The Lookout Mountain and Point Park Visitor Center has more…
There are several Revolutionary War battlefields in the area I wanted to visit: Ninety Six National Historic Site, Cowpens National Battlefield and King’s Mountain National Military Park all part of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. Each has a nice visitor center with info on the battles. I was lucky to stop by Ninety Six on the weekend when they were having a special event, 96 Crossroads, always on the first weekend of April. There were guided battlefield tours as well…
I wanted to see several sites in Atlanta plus the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield but didn’t want to stay in Atlanta. The traffic there drives me mad, worse than Washington or Chicago, so I found a nice place in Marietta. There is plenty to see here and it’s not far for a visit to Atlanta. Recommendations I enjoyed walking around downtown, Marietta Square, and Glover Park. It’s a beautiful area, a lovely walking district, with many stores and restaurants. There is…
After leaving Pensacola, I headed straight north to visit the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Site, in Tuskegee, Alabama. I spent the afternoon here, visiting Hanger 1 and Hanger 2, learning so much about these brave men and women. So many people thought they weren’t capable of learning to fly or maintain the planes, they had to deal daily with the blatant racism of other military personnel, and after serving honorably they came home to repressive Jim Crow laws and more. I…
I returned to Pensacola for the winter; the same place I stayed for a month in February 2022 was available. I booked a month, then added on another month, then another month. After a couple years of full-time travel, it’s been nice to unpack and relax and do nothing but take long walks with my wonderful dog Boo in my East Hill neighborhood or on one of the many hiking trails in the area and enjoy a nice leisurely meal….
In the many years I’ve been wandering the world, I’ve been so lucky to see amazing sites. I do think travel is a wonderful way to learn, about other people, other cultures, and, of course, world history. All of these sites were amazing; interesting museums, beautiful castles, ancient ruins. I recommend each and every one. History Museums Museo Galileo, Florence, Italy Musee Marciano, Venice, Italy Musee Civico Correr, Venice, Italy Musee Storico Navale, Venice, Italy Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt Conciergerie,…