Dave Gapinski's Travels 2014: August 2014

THURSDAY – August 28, 2014

WEATHER: 70’s - 80’s clear

TRAVEL: Burlington to Huron River Campground - 382 miles - left around 1030 arrived 1800 (lost an hour now EDT) average 9.3 mpg, used 40.9 gallons of fuel.

I’ve been here before, Friday before Memorial Day. It was more crowded then – but I’m sure it will fill up tomorrow. Had dinner at the Sand Bar – good pizza – glad I did not order the recommended Lake Erie perch fish sandwich – just didn’t look appetizing.

FRIDAY – August 29, 2014

Keystone StatePark
Pennsylvania

WEATHER: cool morning in the low 50’s up to the 80’s clear

TRAVEL: Huron River Campground to Keystone State Park, Derry PA – 211 miles, 9.2 mpg, used 22 gallons of fuel.

I knew I only had a site at Keystone for Friday night – and I forgot this was Labor Day Weekend – so of course this place is full – but luckily when I arrived I checked with Park HQ and got a great site due to a cancellation through Sunday. This is a very nice site – to the left of the trailer is the fire ring and table and room enough to pitch a tent – shielded by trees and bushes – private nicely trimmed grass – probably the largest site I’ve ever stayed at. I’ll leave here Monday morning.

View of PNC Park from the Clemente Bridge - I left at the end of the 7th Inning Sellout crowd

PNC Park
Really Good Seat

PITTSBURGH PIRATES vs. CINCINNATTI REDS PNC Field 7:05 pm

Section 114 Row A Seat 11 The drive in was around 34 miles but it took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Traffic on Highway 22 was definitely backed up . . . . and then there is the tunnel to negotiate. Parked downtown Pittsburgh in the Oliver structure on Wood & 4^th, then walked about 6 blocks crossed the Monongahela River on the Clemente Bridge to PNC Park.

These seats were very good. About 12 rows behind home plate. The game was sold out. I bought the ticket on May 27^th; even for a single seat this was all that was available. It was a good seat. Received a t-shirt El Torro Alverez 24 , the t shirt was sponsored by Peoples Gas. Scoreless after 7 innings - then in the 8^th - Reds scored 1 and the Pirates 2 – that was the FINAL SCORE.

When I arrived back at the site it was very dark but clear – I finally found that sky that I’ve been looking for all summer. The sky was lit up with stars – no moon – easy to see the Milky Way.

SATURDAY – August 30, 2014

WEATHER: start in the mid 60’s , humid, got to 90

TRAVEL: not much today

Keystone Park Row of flags

I found it interesting that around 7:30 this morning there was a man (he may have been the camp host) going around the campsites and posting American flags all around the drive and in front of each site. There must be 150 flags out there around the circle drive. Labor Day is a day recognized as a day to display the flag. I thanked him for his service.

Finished reading “A Story Written in the Rocks: The Geology of Voyageurs National Park.” I had purchased it when I was at Voyageurs – a short but interesting read – good pictures and diagrams. A lesson and review of continent rebuilding, plate tectonics, and the last ice age - it really was more interesting than watching rocks erode. There is so much rock exposed in northern Minnesota and along the Canadian border – you have to ask your what is this – how did the glaciers affect it? You may want to re-visit some of the photos with Voyageurs, Grand Portage and the UP.

Truck & Trailer - Keystone State Park

I had issues with the 30 amp electrical connection at this site on Friday (it was filled with hard mud) a maintenance guy cleaned it out with a screwdriver. Smart? Today I put the AC on around 2 pm and in about 20 minutes no power – there was power to the pedestal but not to the 30 amp outlet – it was 87 degrees and very humid – I tried several RV dealers in the area for a conversion cord 50 to 30 (there is a 50 amp outlet on the pedestal) – of course they are all closed by noon – so I thought KOA – found one 61 miles away – they had a cord – but on the way, found another KOA only 27 miles out – they had the cord. Came back and that solved the problem – needed a 50-30 conversion cable anyway. I’ve had to borrow one from the campground several times already.

Holy Family Church

4:30 MASS at Holy Family Church – Latrobe, PA An older church – made of stone. Latrobe has banners on its light poles – Birthplace of Mister Rogers, Home of Arnold Palmer, Home of the First Banana Split.

SUNDAY – August 31, 2014

WEATHER: high 60s-70s – humid – it rained hard 3 am to 7 am – no thunder – rained all morning and most of the afternoon – then very humid

TRAVEL: none

Read some more of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.” Updated spreadsheet, made Atlanta Sheraton Reservations, verified Baltimore-Atlanta and Charleston-Atlanta-Milwaukee airline reservations, decided that I could see what I wanted to see in Atlanta either by walking or by cab, changed some Boston days because some NP sites are closed on Mon and Tues.

MONDAY – September 1, 2014

WEATHER: start in the mid 60’s

TRAVEL: Keystone State Park – Mount Pocono Campground, Mount Pocono, PA,

Mt. Pocono Campground

Mt. Pocono Campground

Mount Pocono Campground to this place is a little scary I wasn’t sure what I would find – i.e. the road was gravel – looked used – some trailers stuck out in the woods along the road . . . when I got to the Office I was surprised. The space opened up. There are more than a few seasonal trailers here but the sites for short stay like me were very nice – raked gravel/stone, fairly level . a small grass area, sites separated by a wooden fence with flowers/shrubs, a fire ring. The campground has a large heated pool – a very nice bath house and a 2 level recreation hall. The Rec Hall upper floor was a gym and area for playing cards – the first floor had pin ball machines, skee ball, ping pong, air hockey, pool tables, and a 2 room library. Of course this is Labor Day afternoon and just about everybody is gone. I almost have the entire place to myself.

71 UPPER DELAWARE SRR – Lackawaxen, PA

I had tried to visit this site in May, when I was in the Poconos. However, it was pre-season and t he Visitor Center was not open. Of course the season runs Memorial Day to Labor Day and today is Labor Day. I don’t intend to boat or kayak but visit the Zane Grey Museum.

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Zane Grey

This was a 41 mile drive from Mt. Pocono. Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River was created as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by LBJ signing the act in 1968. The park is the river itself – 73.4 miles along the New York Pennsylvania border. Most of the land along the river is privately owned. The Delaware River is one of the longest and cleanest free flowing (undammed) rivers in the US . It’s a place for fishing -brown & rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, walleye. Home to eagles . . . didn’t see any – if you want to see eagles go to Voyageurs and a place to kayak, canoe, raft or tube.

UPPER DELAWARE completed my visits to all the Parks in PENNSYLVANIA

Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS 11 JUL 2014

Delaware Water Gap NRA 21 MAY 2014

Edgar Allen Poe NHS 7 MAY 2014

Eisenhower NHS 30 APR 2014

Flight 93 N MEM 27 APR 2014

Fort Necessity NB 26 APR 2014

Friendship Hill NHS 26 APR 2014

Gettysburg NMP 30 APR 2014

Independence NHP 7 MAY 2014

Hopewell Furnace NHS 6 MAY 2014 closed on Mon/Tues no passport stamp

Johnstown Flood N MEM 27 APR 2014

Middle Delaware NSR 26 APR 2014

Steamtown NHS 22 MAY 2014

Thaddeus Kosciuszko N MEM 7 MAY 2014

Upper Delaware SRR 1 SEP 2014

Valley Forge NHP 8 MAY 2014

GOLF –Carlisle Barracks GC 4 MAY 2014

Phillies vs. Blue Jays 6 MAY 2014 4

Upper Delaware Scenic
& Recreational River
Zane Grey

ZANE GREY (1872-1939) once lived near Lackawaxen, PA along the Delaware River. Originally from Zanesville, OH he never finished high school but got a scholarship to a Pennsylvania University to play baseball. He became a dentist and practiced in NY City. He married and moved to Lackawaxen in 1905. His wife, a school teacher, encouraged his writing. He wrote articles for newspapers and magazines, such as, Field & Stream – he was quite the outdoorsman.

He struggled through the lean years until he achieved success with the publication of Riders of the Purple Sage in 1912. It is one of the most widely sold novels about the American West.

I once signed up for a course in 'Western Literature' – thinking it would be a survey course in Western Literature – it was – a survey of American Western Literature. Zane, Grey, Louis Lamour, Owen Lister. Of course I grew up during the golden era of Western TV programming – Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers & Dale Evans, Hopalong Cassidy, Maverick, Cheyenne, Wild Bill Hickok, Bat Masterson, the Cisco Kid, Wyatt Earp, Sugarfoot, The Lone Ranger – these were all prime time tv shows . . . and the great movies of John Ford and Howard Hawks and the actors like John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Dan Duryea – later Bonanza, The Big Valley, Wagon Train – those were all good shows. Probably predictable content but great for a boy or a family in the 50’s or 60’s to watch. When the guy was shot he never bled. My favorite – The Magnificent Seven – even the music. The western still hasn’t lost its appeal – but it has changed – The Unforgiven, Little Big Man, Dances With Wolves, Django Unchained. Amazing but I enjoyed the course very much and read books I would never have touched otherwise. It was enjoyable but I haven’t touched a western novel since.

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Zane Grey Museum

In 1914 he bought this house and within 4 years built several additions to the house to provide private space away from his family, where he could do research and writing. Grey and his family remained owners of the home but moved to California in 1918.

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Zane Grey Museum

Grey enjoyed the outdoors and was a very successful novelist. Some consider him to be the father of the western novel.

Upper Delaware Scenic
& Recreational River
Roebling's Aquiduct

ROEBLING’s DELAWARE AQUEDUCT – this is the oldest existing wire cable suspension bridge in the US. IT was built in 1848 as a major improvement on the Delaware and Hudson Canal (1828-1898). The D&H was built to transport anthracite (hard coal) mined in northeastern Pennsylvania to markets in New York and New England. The aqueduct reduced a bottleneck in the D&H by reducing the time needed to transport the coal across the Delaware, making the D&H more competitive with railroads and other canals. The NPS bought the Delaware Aqueduct in 1980 – made repairs and restored the masonry, replaced the wooden trunk walls and towpaths. New York is on the other side of the river.

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River - Roebling's Delaware Aquiduct

also completed all the Parks: in MAINE;

Acadia NHP 25 JUL 2014

Appalachian NST 26 JUL 2014

St.Croix Island HIS 27 JUL 2014

GOLF-Sawmill Woods GC 28 JUL 2014

also completed all the Parks: in ILLINOIS;

Lincoln Home NHS 7 APR 2014

GOLF-Harborside GC 22 AUG 2014 Chicago

CUBS vs. Orioles 24 AUG 2014

also completed all the Parks: in IOWA;

Effigy Mounds NM 10 APR 2014

Herbert Hoover NHS 9 APR 2014

also completed all the Parks: in MICHIGAN;

Isle Royale NP 13 AUG 2014

Keweenaw NHP 20 JUN 2014

Pictured Rocks NL 18 JUN 2014

River Raisin NBP 6 JUN 2014

Sleeping Bear Dunes NL 9 JUN2014

GOLF-Links at Lake Erie 6 JUN 2014 Monroe

TIGERS vs. Blue Jays 5 JUN 2014

also completed all the Parks: in OHIO;

COL Charles Young NM 22 APR 2014

Cuyahoga Valley NP 9 JUN 2014

Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP 22 APR 2014

First Ladies NHS 8 JUL 2014

James A Garfield NHS 5 JUL 2014

Hopewell Culture NHP 23 APR 2014

Perry’s Victory & International

Peace Memorial 7 JUN 2014

William Howard Taft 24 APR 2014

GOLF-Brandywine GC 9 JUL 2014 Cuyahooga

Indians vs. Royales 6 JUL 2014

also completed all the Parks: in WISCONSIN

Apostle Islands NL 22 JUN 2014

St. Croix NSR 25 JUN 2014

GOLF-Wild Ridge GC 19 AUG 2014 Eau Claire

Brewers

also completed all the Parks: in VERMONT

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP 20 Jul 2014

GOLF-Woodstock GC 21 JUL 2014 Woodstock

also completed all the Park: in NEW HAMPSHIRE

Saint-Gaudens NHS 21 JUL 2014

GOLF-Carter CC 22 JUL 2014 Lebanon

TUESDAY – September 2, 2014

WEATHER: it’ll be hot today - 72 and humid at 7am – up to 90 sunny humidity 72%. Short rain around 9pm but not a storm, cooled down.

TRAVEL: none

Updated blog. Planning for Florida, Belize, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Read some more of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.”

WEDNESDAY – September 3, 2014

WEATHER: cooler 64 this morning – up to the 80’s less humid

TRAVEL: Mount Pocono Campground to Hanscom AFB Fam Camp. A trip of 290 miles, left around 8 am got here and set up by 2:15. I gave Bob a call. Missed him he returned the call but I missed him. Will Try again tomorrow.

THURSDAY – September 4, 2014

WEATHER: 57 early in the am – should get up to 80s today.

TRAVEL: Short drive to Minuteman NHP. Red Line ALEWIFE to DOWNTOWN CROSSING. Left Alewife around 2:30 pm. I got turned around and walked over a mile down Washington into Chinatown until I figured out that this was the wrong way. After an good 1+ hr walk I reached this is Fanueil Hall. Even this late in the afternoon the train was crowded and heard enough ‘street tough’ profanity on the train – well in all my time in NYC – never did that happen. Parking is $7 per day, I bought a 7 day subway pass for $19. The traffic out of the ALEWIFE parking ramp was horrendous at 6:45 – took me 25 minutes to travel 1 mile to get to the highway. It’s only 12 miles total from where I’m staying.

SEAHAWKS 36 - PACKERS 16 (0-1)

Minuteman National
Historical Park

72 MINUTEMAN – NHP Lincoln, MA

Interesting. There are two Visitor Centers associated with this park and a 5 mile trail (one way) along Battle Road – good for walking, biking, running, taking the kids for a ride in a stroller or buggy . . . . . however, I didn’t pack a lunch but I did walk about 4 miles of trail. Lexington is not part of the park.

Of course, I had to go here. I’ll provide a short history but everyman was by law supposedly part of the militia. Only the best, the strongest the bravest belonged to minuteman companies – trained to be ready at a moment’s notice. Like all militia men, minutemen were volunteers who worked full time supporting their families. - - - something to reflect upon for the minutemen of today.

Minuteman National Historic Park - map

Minuteman National Historic Park commemorates the events of April 19,1775.

There was a very good 25 minute film at the Minute Man Visitor Center. It re-traced the events of the day through a story told by Amos (can’t remember his last name) - militiaman, local silversmith and sometime artist who made drawings of the day’s events. His story closed with a toast that went something like this:

Liberty

Man 1: I raise my glass to those who share that hope

Man 2: and to those who died on that April day

Amos: and to those of us who defend that Liberty tomorrow

All: Hear – Hear

Amos: May God bless us all

Minuteman National Historic Park

Capt John Parker
The Minuteman
Lexington Green

One if by land, Two if by sea. The signal is shown in the tower of Old North Church in Boston. Paul Revere learns that the British plan to march on Concord – a force of 700 soldiers. The British had received intelligence that weapons and powder were stored there. The British crossed the Charles River. Revere crosses the river ahead of the British and rides a horse raising the alarm. William Dawes takes a longer route south of Boston raising the same alarm. “Paul Revere’s Ride” was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1860.

0100 In Lexington, Revere and Dawes meet ,and together with Samuel Prescott head toward Concord.

0500 70 militia men under CPT William Parker wait for the British on Lexington Green. A shot rings out and British soldiers fire a volley. Eight militiamen die.

Minuteman National Historic Park - Concord Bridge - rebuilt

0700 Several hundred militia men form on Muster Hill above Concord Bridge (North Bridge), while the British search Concord. A group of British soldiers guards Concord Bridge.

0900 The British burn military supplies they find but the militia men think they are burning the town.

Minuteman Statue

0930 The militia men are ordered down the hill to the foot of the bridge to face the British. They are ordered not to fire unless fired upon. Again, a shot rings out – two militia men are killed – neither sides really can believe that Englishmen are firing on Englishmen. MAJ John Buttrick orders the militia to return fire, an act of treason, this becomes known as the “shot heard round the world” – due to a short piece entitled “Concord Hymn” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1837.

1230 The British army regroups and begins marching back to Boston. Militia men open fire at Miriam’s Corner and so begins a running battle along the Bay Road (Battle Road). The number of militia men responding to the call continues to grow to almost 4,000.

1500 Exhausted British soldiers stagger into Lexington and meet 1000 British reinforcements with a cannon from Boston. They continue to march back to Boston.

1630 Menotomy, MA. Militia men hide in houses and fire upon the British. The British charge into the homes with bayonets. More die here than anywhere else along the Battle Road.

1800 The British reach the safety of Charlestown and the fighting ends. The British have 73 KIA – 174 WIA; the colonists have 49 KIA – 41 WIA. The war has begun.

Visited Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market – it was time for a Sam Adams.

FRIDAY – September 5, 2014

WEATHER: hot and humid, there was a breeze

TRAVEL: Red Line ALEWIFE to DOWNTOWN CROSSING transfer to the Orange Line and get off at Community College. Walked to the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center – Visited USS Constitution/Constitution Museum, Bunker Hill and Bunker Hill Museum. Took a water shuttle from the pier near Charlestown Navy Yard to Long Wharf which if right behind Fanueil Hall. This fare of $3.25 was covered by the MBTA 7 day pass. I had a sidewalk lunch at a restaurant called Legal Seafood. Back to Faneuil Hall and followed the Freedom Trail to the Old State House, Site of the Boston Massacre, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting house, the First Public School Site, Kings Chapel and Burying Ground, Granary Burying Ground, Park Street Church, the State House and Boston Common. Finished off the day with a beer at Cheers (84 Beacon Street). Got on the Red Line at PARK back to ALEWIFE. Only took me 15 minutes to get out to the highway today. The trains today at 5pm were only half as crowed as they were yesterday at 6pm.

73 BOSTON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Freedom Trail (below are the official sites of the Freedom Trail)

The Freedom Trail Foundation continues to work to preserve this introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston – but start with Minuteman NHP and don’t forget Philadelphia.

Originally conceived in 1951, the trail has expanded and evolved. It is marked by a line of contrasting bricks, red paint and a few signs. Easy to follow – it is also easy to miss the sites along the trail through busy downtown Boston. Only 3 sites are owned by the federal government – the Charlestown Navy Yard, Bunker Hill Monument and Dorchester Heights Monument. The remainder of the sites, are owned by city, state or private organizations.

REVOLUTION OF MINDS & HEARTS: For more than a century before the War for Independence, Bostonians embraced a strong heritage of community and a culture of freedom. According to John Adams, “The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. . . . The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.”

THE PEOPLE REVOLT: in 1760 a split with Great Britain was unthinkable but between 1761 and 1775 differing views of the rights of the colonists led to action, reaction, and encounters between Britain and the Boston colonists.

NEIGHBORHOOD OF REVOLUTION: On April 18 and 19, 1775 – years of growing unrest burst into insurrection. Paul Revere started his ride on April 18^th; the military encounters between Boston-Lexington and Concord culminated on April 19^th.

BOSTON GOES TO WAR: The colonists laid siege to the British army in Boston, Washington was appointed commander of the Continental Army and the Battle of Bunker Hill took place on Jun 17, 1775.

The trail leads to 16 historical sites in a course of a day or more covers 2 ½ centuries of America’s most significant past. A red brick or painted line connects the sites on the Trail and serves as a guide. It’s not all that easy to find in some places. Once your find it – you got it. Visited 13 of the 16 today. A lot of walking on the north end. The south end is more bearable.

Boston Common is huge

-Boston Common: This is the theoretical start of the trail. British soldiers were once encamped here. The Puritans established the Common in 1634 making it the nation’s oldest park.

-Massachusetts State House: Charles Bulfinch designed the

Massachusetts
State House

building. Samuel Adams and Paul Revere laid the cornerstone in 1795. The memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the 54^th Massachusetts Infantry are opposite the State House. The monument is under restoration. I’m glad I visited Saint-Gaudens where the sculpture has a copy showing the detail of the piece. After seeing Saint-Gaudens, where people stop and take interest in the art, this place is rather disappointing.

-Park Street Church: The hymn “America” was first sung here and abolitionist William Lloyd Garrision made his first antislavery speech here in 1829.

-Granary Burying Ground: Patriots John Hancock, Paul Revere, James Otis, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine; victims of the Boston Massacre and whole families ravaged by fire and plague are interred in this cemetery next to Park Street Church.

-King's Chapel: it was closed to visitor’s today. King’s Chapel was the first Anglican congregation in Boston. It was a stronghold for loyalist opposition, and most of its members left for England or Nova Scotia.

Kings Chapel Burying Ground

-King's Chapel Burying Ground: Next to Chapel it contains the remains of John Winthrop, the colony’s first governor.

Ben Franklin

Latin School Marker in sidewalk

-Benjamin Franklin Statue & Boston Latin School: the statue of Ben overlooks the site of the Latin School, the oldest public school in America, established by Puritan settlers in 1535. Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock all attended.

-Old Corner Book Store: a gambrel-roof building restored in 1970 was originally built as an apothecary in 1718. It became a literary center in the mid-1800’s for Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Louise May Alcott, Nathanial Hawthorne and others brought their manuscripts here to be published by Ticknor & Fields Co.

Old State House &
Site of the Boston Massacre

Old State House

-Old South Meeting House: There is a fee for the museum. I did not pay. Built in 1729nas a Puritan house of worship it was the largest building in colonial Boston. The bookstore is at the end of the museum tour or go around the building and descend to t he lower level.

-Old State House: There is a fee for the museum of Boston History. I did not pay. A good bookstore/gift shop. In Built in 1713, this historic landmark was the seat of government as well as a merchants exchange.

-Site of Boston Massacre: a cobblestone circle under the balcony of the Old State House marks the site of the Boston Massacre when British soldiers fired into a crow of Bostonians. Fugitive slave Crispus Attucks was among the victims who died that day.

Fanueil Hall - Great Hall second floor

Fanueil Hall - Sam Adams

Paul Revere, Abigail Adams, John Adams,
John Hancock, Sam Adams

-Faneuil Hall: Town meetings held here between 1764 and 1774, heard Samuel Adams and others lead cries of protest against the imposition of taxes on the colonies. The first floor is full of market shop stalls much the way it would have been in the day of Paul Revere. The second floor is home to the Great Hall. The 3^rd floor had my interest but was closed.

-Paul Revere House

-Old North Church

-Copp's Hill Burying Ground

Bunker Hill Monument

-Bunker Hill Monument: dedicated in 1843, this 221 ft obelisk commemorates the Revolutionary War’s first major battle. It’s 294 steps were closed to visitors due to the hot weather. The Bunker Hill Museum across the street was free. Manned by 2 rangers who were very friendly. A good number of exhibits and a kind of electric diorama map - I learned a lot about the battle.

USS Constitution

USS Constitution

USS Constitution

-USS Constitution: I visited the museum where there is a very good
25 minutefilm about the history or the ship. There is a charge for the Constitution Museum but it is considered a “free will” donation – they let you in and suggest that you make a donation if you wish. It is well worth the stop for 60-90 minutes. I hadn’t planned on boarding the Constitution but glad I did. It’s much larger than I thought it would be. Two decks were open to visitors. There is a Visitor Center here. You have to go through security like an airport. They show a short film on the history of the Charlestown Navy Yard – also a lot of navy history here..

Nobody 'knew my name"

Went to Cheers (84 Beacon Street). Not real busy on a Friday at 5pm. A friendly clientele – met a couple from Bolder, CO whilte standing at a rail by the bar – it’ seems they’ve been here before – pleasant conversation. However, they didn’t ‘know my name’ and I don’t think I gave it to them. The drinks are expensive – so you wouldn’t want to stay here long - $7.25 for a 12 oz draft local brew – not Sam Adams. Had a beer and back to the subway.

It’s dark now by 7:30 pm the days are getting shorter.

SATURDAY – September 6, 2014

WEATHER: “in summer” I’m glad I’m not a snowman – it was 74 and humid at 5am this morning. In the 90’s most of the day – thunder storm just about the time I got back to Hanscom Fam Camp 5:45 pm

TRAVEL: “I got in with a ticket at the ALEWIFE STATION and changed at PARK STREET for Brookline Hills - When I got there the conductor let me off of that train”

Then I walked – it seemed for sometime uphill. Then I had to go back to where I started on PARK STREET for another train but got on the wrong train – went back and it seemed like I spent a lot of time seeing Boston Underground and Above Ground today. Including the trip to JFK’s birth house and walking the neighborhood. It was hot. Since I passed The Coolidge Corner Clubhouse 3x on my walking tour of circles on Harvard Ave I stopped in for a beer before the ride back to ALEWIFE.

74 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED NHS – Brookline, MA

Olmsted House Front Entry - offices to the right

Frederick Law Olmsted

Frederick Law Olmsted (1882-1903) affected the way America looks. He is best known as the creator of major urban parks – he established the profession of landscape architecture in America. His most celebrated design is Central Park in New York City (1875).

Frederick Law Olmsted
The start of Landscape
Architecture

There were two rangers here who really enjoyed their jobs and their enthusiasm for Olmsted showed. I took the 1 hours tour with the ranger on the grounds and through the workshop – the design facilities which were active until 1980 – adjacent to the house. Most interesting. A short 12 minute film covers Olmsted’s life. Expect to spend at least 2 hours on the site.

In 1883 Olmsted moved his home and office from New York to a farmhouse in the Boston suburb of Brookline, establishing the first full-scale professional practice of landscape architecture. Olmsted himself had not formal training but he had an eye for what needed to be done. When asked he embarrassingly could not identify flowers or plants in people garden. He ensured that his sons had the proper education. The Olmsted firm prepared designs for projects in 44 states and Canada. In 1980 the NPS acquired the site and began to inventory and conserve the design records.

Among Olmsted’s greatest achievements is the Boston Park System. It was conceived in the 1870’s. Completed near the end of the 1890’s, the five mile “emerald necklace” linked parks, ponds, and parkways in a comprehensive display of planning, engineering and imaginative design.

Together with his sons they created Landscape Architecture and the firm existed until 1980. Among others, in almost every state, Olmsted’s firm designed the US Capitol Grounds (1874), Lake Park (1890’s) in Milwaukee, the grounds of the Kohler estate and several others in Wisconsin.

I could write more about what he did and his style – but enough – you can see it – informal natural beauty. This guy knew his stuff.

75 JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY NHS – Brookline, MA

TRAVEL: Neighborhood walking tour.

JFK birth house

1)      John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS 83 Beals St – a 40 minute ranger led tour and a good 20 minute video by Rose and Ted Kennedy featuring on their work for the mentally challenged. This home was at the edge of town in 1914 – a “starter home” Joseph Kennedy Sr and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Rose’s father was Mayor of Boston and after a 7 year courtship, maybe it was 12 . . . . .he agreed to let Joe marry Rose – primarily because he was the youngest bank president he had ever met. Joe felt there was a glass ceiling in Boston for Irish Catholics. About 1.25 hours here plus walking tour
2)      51 Abbottsford Road – two blocks down where the Kennedy’s lived from 1920-1927.
3)      St, Aidan’s Roman Catholic Church – JFK was baptized here and served as an altar boy here.
4)      Dexter School Site/Noble and Greenough Lower School – because Joe Sr. wanted his sons to associate with prominent families he transferred Joe Jr. and Jack here in 1924. They were the only Catholics at this school which prepared students for eminent colleges.
5)      Coolidge Corner – then and now a shopping area.
6)      Edward Devotion School – Jack attended here through 3^rd grade.

John F Kennedy was born in the master bedroom of this home on May 29, 1917. JFK is remembered as the man who led the US to a New Frontier: the youngest individual and first Catholic elected to the presidency. JFK molded a sweeping Civil Rights Bill, launched the Peace Corps, promoted the space race and negotiated a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Dining Room - note the 'children's table' for Joe Jr. & John

I remember watching his inauguration speech in 7^th grade at Blessed Sacrament Grade School – “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. “

He became known as the “media president” with his witty, eloquent speeches and endless drive. Together with his wife Jacqueline, JFK embodied elegance and romance and a mythology that came to be known as “Camelot.”

I remember hearing the tragic news of his death in Sophomore English at Pius XI High School. I remember the city bus ride home from school – a quiet bus – people spoke in hushed tones. I had a paper route and remember waiting at home for the final edition of the Milwaukee Journal that was delivered sometime after 6pm – then I went out to deliver the papers on my route. The weekend following was a constant buzz of Chet Huntley, David Brinkley and Walter Cronkite – even as Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald on live TV.

His life ended tragically on November 22, 1963 leaving the man and the vision in midstream. He left an enduring legacy: “Not all this will be finished in the first one-hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one-thousand days . . . nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.”

The Kennedy’s moved from 83 Beals St in 1920. In 1966 Rose Kennedy chose to memorialize her son and his contributions by preserving his birthplace and boyhood home. The home was restored to recreate its 1917 appearance. The Kennedy’s donated the house to the NPS as a ”gift . . . to the American people,” and the site opened to the public in 1969.

SUNDAY – September 7, 2014

WEATHER: stormed last night – hard hit south of here. Cooled things down to the 70’s – warm in the upper 70’s and clear today.

TRAVEL: On the “T” again – that must stand for “trolley” MBTA is way too long and MTA carries a song with it

7am Mass at St. Michael’s Church in Bedford, MA. Almost a record 35 minutes – no songs – a priest who’s homily said what he had to say in 4-5 minutes – Dale Carnegie “How to Win Friends and Influence People” same stuff Jesus did - bottom line we all need each other he ended with a quote from Striesand’s song “people, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world’ – we all need each other.

76 LONGFELLOW’S HOUSE-WASHINGTON’S HEADQUARTERS - Cambridge, MA

TRAVEL: Red Line ALEWIFE to HARVARD SQUARE. Southwest on Church St to 105 Brattle St. This was an interesting walk down Church and Brattle St through some ground owned by Harvard, Radcliffe, and an Episcopal Divinity School.

Longfellow's House - view from the gardens

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote “all houses wherein men have lived and died are haunted houses . . . “ if only the house could tell its story

Longfellow's House

In 1843, when Longfellow and his bride Fanny Appleton (the Appleton's of Lowell and the textile mills) became owners of 105 Brattle St in Cambridge, they were already well-acquainted with its history. The Georgian style mansion overlooking the Charles River was built in 1759 for John Vassall, a merchant and ardent loyalist. The Vassall’s were forced to flee to England in 1774 on the eve of the revolution. If you read on John & Abagail Adams also moved into another home owed by John Vassall.

In July 1775 Gen. George Washington arrived in Cambridge to take command of the fledgling Continental Army, which was laying siege to British occupied Boston. He chose the Vassall house as his Headquarters and lived here for about 9 months.

Longfellow was a young Harvard professor in 1837 and eventually left the position to devote full time to writing and scholarship. In 1913 the Longfellow House Trust Fund preserved the family home. Amazingly this is all original – carpet, wallpaper, rugs, pictures, dinnerware, furniture – everything – thanks to Longfellow’s daughter.

Bust in Longfellow Park

Longfellow - Family Room

What did he write? Poems . . . . .

Paul Revere’s Ride

Evangeline

The Song of Hiawatha

He spoke and read more than a few languages and translated Dante’s Inferno into English.

This house is huge – high 11-13 ft ceilings and at least 14,000 sq ft. The site was donated to the NPS in 1972.

Once, ah, once within these walls

One whom memory oft recalls

The Father of his Country dwelt.

And yonder meadows broad and damp

The fires of the besieging camp

Encircled with a burning belt.

from To A Child by Henry. W. Longfellow, 1845

BOSTON RED SOX vs. TORONTO BLUE JAYS Fenway Park 1:35 pm

Section 36 Row 4 Seat 20 Right Center Field Bleachers next to the wall

TRAVEL: Red Line ALEWIFE to PARK. Transfer to the Green Line KENMORE follow the signs to Fenway across the bridge.

Fenway Park

Fenway Park

FENWAY PARK is interesting – the character of an older ball park like Wrigley but . . . . the concourses are below the stands – you can’t walk around the entire stadium. This is the first ballpark I’ve been in with a design like this – so unlike most other parks you can’t watch the game while you walk around the park – the outfield appears to face south so the sun is always behind the batter and in the face of the fielders. The concourses seem more like a bazaar or fair than a ball park. Lots and lots and lots of vendors – literally a continuous wall on both sides. No beer vendors in the stands that I could see. I had a good seat – similar to what I had in St. Louis but this was definitely in the sun. I did see a home run (Toronto) over the wall – literally out of the park. The Sox lost to Toronto 1-3.

MONDAY – September 8, 2014

WEATHER: started at 50 but got up to the 70’s

TRAVEL: Drove to the Patriot GC, then to ALEWIFE stayed on the RED LINE for the stops today.

Patriot GC

GOLF HANSCOM AFB - The Patriot Golf Course is located on the grounds of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Bedford, MA. PGC is about 4 miles from Hanscom Air Force Base. Luckily I got there before most of the regular retirees - an older narrow course – lost 3 balls – couldn’t hit or putt – shot a 55 with 21 putts and 3 lost balls. Well, I can say I golfed in Massachusetts.

77 ADAMS NHP – Quincy, MA

TRAVEL: Red Line - ALEWIFE to QUINCY CENTER. Leave by the Hancock St exit. The Visitor Center is across Hancock St in The Galleria at Presidents Place. This Visitor Center must be a rented space in a commercial building.

Adams NHP

There isn’t much in the Visitor Center but a gift shop/book store and a 25 film that was informative. There is a trolley that takes you to the 3 houses on the tour. Allow 3-4 hours for this visit.

Before the house tours a little bit about the Adams family because it can get complicated.

All the Adams’ were prolific writers. Sam Adams was second cousin to John.

“The Adams family’s devotion to the public interest runs like a scarlet thread throughout the tapestry of American history.” John F. Kennedy

John Adams (1735-1826)

1755 graduated Harvard, his father wanted him to be a minister, he became a lawyer

1764 married Abigail (Smith) Adams 1744-1818, lived in “the little cottage” for 20 years

4 children:

1765-1813 Abigail “Nabby” Adams

1767-1848 John Quincy Adams

1770-1800 Charles Adams

1772-1832 Thomas Boylston Adams

Adams NHP - the Little Cottage John & Abigail lived here 20 years

Adams NHP - Peacefield

1770 successfully defended the British soldiers who shot 5 colonists at the Boston Massacre

1776 worked with Jefferson, Franklin, Livingston, & Sherman to write the Declaration of

Independence

Diplomat in Europe during the revolution,

Obtained a loan from the Netherlands to fund the new country

Suggested the EAGLE as symbol for the US; Franklin wanted the TURKEY, Jefferson
wanted the DOVE

1779 drafted the MA Constitution together with Sam Adams & James Bowdoin

1785 first Minister (ambassador) to Great Britain

1789-1797 VP of the US under George Washington, Adams came in with the 2d highest

number of votes

1796 purchased the former home of John Vassalls a British loyalist who returned to England in the years 1775 (same Vassalls who owned the Longfellow House) , he names the home “Peacefield”

Adams NHP - Peacefield

1797-1801 President of the US, Jefferson was his VP and a member of the opposing party. They had significant differences.

Abigail and John wrote over 1,000 letters during the time that he was away from home. Perhaps, her most famous quote was in writing to him “. . . . and by the way, in the new code of laws, I desire you remember the ladies”

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

1797 married Louisa Catherine Johnson 1775-1852

3 children

1801-1829 George Washington Adams

1803-1834 John Adams II

1807-1886 Charles Francis Adams

1817-1825 Secretary of State under James Monroe

Negotiated peace with Britain – Treaty of Ghent War of 1812

Assisted with development of US/Canadian border

Drafted the Monroe Doctrine

1825-1829 President of the US, John C. Calhoun was his VP, he was defeated for reelection by Andrew Jackson

1831-1848 served as a Congressman representing Massachusetts

1840 argues the case of the Africans captured as slaves on the Amistad before the US Supreme Court. He wins the case and the Mendi people are returned to their home in Africa. However, the US government will not fund their return to Africa, abolitionists raise the funds and return the Mendi to Africa.

Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886)

1829 married Abigail Brooks Adams 1808-1889

7 children

Louisa Catherine Adams

John Quincy Adams II

Charles Francis Adams Jr.

Henry Adams

Arthur Adams

Mary Adams

Brooks Adams

1861-1868 minister (ambassador) to Great Britain like his grandfather John Adams

Stone Library - I wish I could have taken a picture inside - stunning

In 1870 the Stone Library was completed. It houses over 12,000 books, pamphlets, manuscripts and maps of the Adams family.

Henry Adams

Wrote History of the United States in1889

Wrote The Education of Henry Adams in 1907 which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1919

Brooks Adams

In response to a changing landscape from rural farm to industrial city and concerned about what would happen to the Old House, Brooks Adams established the Adams Memorial Society in 1927. Its mission was to protect and open the Old House and Stone Library. It was donated to the National Park Service in 1946.

Hopefully, now you can watch John Adams (HBO miniseries), Amistad (1997 Speilberg), and read The Education of Henry Adams and with a little more background of what’s going on.

JOHN F KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125

TRAVEL: Red Line QUNICY CENTER to PJFK/U MASS. I then took a free trolley (bus) to the Presidential Library. Admission was $15 or $11 for Seniors.

The building is huge, on the water, and on the edge of the University of Massachusetts at Boston. However, it must be full of papers and manuscripts – the museum is not large – of course JFK’s term as president was short. A good walk through history.

1960 Campaign Trail – I did deliver Kennedy leaflets along with my Mom and Dad for the

primary and the election

Kennedy-Nixon TV debates – the first televised presidential debate

The Inauguration – age 43 the youngest ever to be elected president

The White House – Camelot

The Briefing Room – first president to hold live TV press conferences

JFK Museum

The Space Program – in 1961 JFK pledged a man on the moon by the end of the decade

RFK – as Attorney General, fighting organized crime and segregation

Jacqueline as First Lady - in 1962 she gave a televised tour of the White House we all watched

Intellectual Disabilities – how the Kennedy’s fought to bring this issue to the forefront

JFK Museum

November 22, 1963

Legacy

'Don't mess around with John'

and a special exhibit on the Cuban Missile Crisis - for 13 days in October 1962 the world was on the edge of thermonuclear war

This museum is video intensive – a lot of speeches, press conferences, the debates, and the campaign were caught on film. It gives you a feeling of being there –even if you did not live it. You could spend 2-3 hours here.

TUESDAY – September 9, 2014

WEATHER: start in the high 50’s long sleeve weather – unless walking got up to 70’s

TRAVEL: RED LINE to PARK STREET (Boston Common) walked to Fanueil Hall and caught a ferry to Spectacle and Georges Island.

78 BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS NRA – Boston, MA

This was another worthwhile boat trip. It was supposed to rain so today was the day. The ferry ride was $11 for seniors, else $15, children $9 – family 4-pack $43. There is a lot to do here. Spend at least a full day or just do a half day. Plenty of ferry service. Visitor Centers are at Spectacle and Georges Islands.

Boston Harbor Islands - map

The ride out was a tour of Boston Harbor. Informative. Decided to by-pass Spectacle Island and go to Georges Island. Spectacle’s history includes being an early quarantine hospital for Boston then a dump, finally a park. Georges is home to Fort Warren.

Boston Harbor Islands - Spectacle Island Dock - long drumlin shape

The Islands are actually glacial drumlins created by the glacier. An elongated hill in the shape of an inverted spoon or half-buried egg formed by glacial ice acting on underlying unconsolidated till or ground moraine.

Boston Harbor Islands
Fort Warren

Boston Harbor Islands
Fort Warren

Georges Island provided a strategic location for defending Boston’s seaport. Construction of the fort began in 1833. I was named for Dr. Joseph Warren, MG in the Massachusetts militia, who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1858 the fort was first used as a training camp. By 1862 it became a Civil War prison for Confederate prisoners. Modifications continued until 1961 when it was decommissioned and purchased by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is now part of the Boston Harbor Islands NP.

79 BOSTON AFRICAN AMERICAN NHS – Boston, MA
TRAVEL: Walked the Freedom Trail from Fanueil Hall to Boston Common – Visitor Center is on Park & Tremont St.

Robert Gould Shaw Memorial
see Saint-Gaudens 22Jul 14
for photos of replica

The largest African-American community in Boston during the decades before the Civil War was the northern slope of Beacon Hill. There are historic buildings today along the Black Heritage Trail.

I think it is unfortunate that the NPS does not promote this very well. There is no Visitor Center to speak of except for that at Fanueil Hall. I did stop by the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial across from the State house last week. Unfortunate it was under repair – the replica at Saint-Gaudens NHS was a much better experience where you could get up close. Today I stopped by the so called Visitor Center at Boston Common – a very small gift shop – nothing on Boston African American NHS. I read the brochure earlier and the Black Heritage Trail of old buildings just did not seem intriguing. The “historic” homes along the trail are private residences and not open to the public.

WEDNESDAY – September 10, 2014

WEATHER: cool in the 50’s, overcast

TRAVEL: none – only to the AFB & USPS

Prepared for travel, cleaned, did laundry, washed truck, attempted to update blog as much as possible – intermittent WIFI here at Hanscom Fam Camp.

THURSDAY – September 11, 2014

WEATHER: 60’s yesterday’s forecast rain – but none – got up to 80 – Cape Cod was in the mid-high – 70’s still breezy – a very pleasant day.

Wompatuck

Wompatuck

TRAVEL: Hanscom AFC Fam Camp to Wompatuck State Park, MA. To avoid traffic will not leave until at least 10 or 1030. Drove to Cape Cod NS about 80 miles one way

Wompatuck State Park – not much going on here – big – wooded – glacial boulders lying around – next big weekend is Columbus Day Holiday weekend. Will be quiet and dark tonight. Phone good; phone hot spot quick; TV and radio same stations as at Hanscom.

80 CAPE COD NS, Salt Pond Visitor Center – Eastham, MA

This was an 80 mile one way drive from Wompatuck. There is plenty to do here at Cape Cod NS – bking – hiking – skating – lighthouses – beaches – sand dunes. I only spent 1 ½ hours in and around the Salt Pond Visitor Center but there is plenty to do – spend a couple of days here easily. Nickerson State Park is much closer to this Visitor Center which is on the south end of the seashore. There are entrance fees for the beaches , just like Indiana Dunes. The roads must really get crowded during the summer season. Provincelands Visitor Center is located at the northern end of Cape Cod NS. I really didn’t spend enough time here.

Thanks to the maps, I finally understand the relationship/location of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Cape Cod outside VC

Cape Cod Map

The Visitor Center had a 12 minute movie entitled The Sands of Time about Cape Cod it’s geologic-glacial history. It was a gritty image – pun intended. Gift shop and a small museum – nothing special.

Cape Cod sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean and was formed by glaciers. The advancing and receding of the Cape Cod Lobe formed Cape Cod and the Bay. Martha’s Vineyard is an island just to the south of Cape Cod and Nantucket is an island just east northeast of Martha’s Vineyard.

Cape Cod is continuously undergoing change due to the wind and the Atlantic Ocean. The National Seashore was established in 1961 which include 44,000 acres and 40 miles of coastline from Chatham (south) to Provincetown (north).

Outdoor Bill of Rights - Things to Do

There are 12 self-guiding trails. Each is named. There are 3 asphalt bicycle trails ranging from 1.6 to 7.3 miles. Roller blades, skates and skateboards are permitted. It appears that there is a bike rental across from the Salt Pond Visitor Center.

There was a Children’s Bill of Rights (things you must do) in the Visitor Center. I think it applies to any adult visit as well.

FRIDAY – September 12, 2014

WEATHER: started in the 50’s cool – got up to 70 with a breeze – sunny.

TRAVEL: About 60 miles but a 1.5 hour on way drive from Wompatuck to New Bedford. Left at 8:30 am got back at 7pm.

81 NEW BEDFORD WHALING NHP – New Bedford, MA

The Visitor Center is located just blocks from the harbor in a historic section of town. Park in the City Lot on Elm St. then walk the block to Williams St and the Visitor Center.

There is another Waterfront Visitor Center – the volunteers and rangers didn’t even mention it – so I passed.

Seaman's Bethel

Pulpit in Seaman's Bethel

I took a tour with one of the rangers. It was short visits to the Seaman’s Bethel, a non-denominational “house of God” featured in Melville’s Moby Dick (book and movie-1955). Interestingly, the film by John Huston featuring Gregory Peck and Richard Basehart had a scene where the preacher at Seaman’s Bethel is preaching from a pulpit in the shape of the prow of a ship – pure Hollywood – but after the movie, people visiting wanted to know where the “pulpit” was – so they built one and placed it in the Seaman’s Bethel. This is not maintained by the NPS. If it wasn’t for the tour – there just wasn’t much here.

Harpoons. African-American Lewis Temple, a blacksmith invented the toggle harpoon in 1848. The toggle would swivel after being thrown into a whale, acting like a huge barb that increased the efficiency of the whale hunt. Temple never patented his design so it was copied and improved upon by all whalers. Somehow I missed the Lewis Temple statue 3 blocks up from the Visitor Center. The staff just must have missed pointing that out at the Visitor Center. The Whaling Museum has a good collection of harpoons.

New Bedford fishing formerly whaling docks

This entire waterfront was an area of taverns, brothels, and merchant shops selling every type of good needed for a ship about to embark on a 3-4 year journey. It was a busy place in it’ time. Some of the old buildings are still there now restaurants – art shops – or lawyer’s offices.

There is also a home “up on the hill” of a ship owner you can tour for a fee, the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. I’ve seen enough homes and didn’t need to see another – although a picture of the rose garden did look intriguing – when the roses are in bloom.

The NPS also offered an afternoon tour Underground Railroad. I should have taken this tour but got back from Providence about 20 minute too late. This is a quiet neighborhood (at least it was today), even though it is right on the fishing docks. It looked like most of the fleet in.

New Bedford

Herman Melville at age 21 set sail in January 1841 on a whaling ship from New Bedford. The voyage inspired Moby Dick. New Bedford was the whaling capital of the world. “The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England . . . All these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. One and all, they were harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea.” Herman Melville, Moby Dick

Starting in colonial times Americans pursued whales primarily to fuel lamps. Whale blubber was rendered into oil at high temperatures aboard ship – a process whalemen called “trying out.” Sperm whales were prized for their higher-grade spermaceti oil, used to make the finest smokeless, odorless candles. Whale-oil was also processed into fine industrial lubricating oils. Petroleum alternatives such as kerosene replaced it in the 1860’s.

“A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard” Herman Melville, Moby Dick

You can spend a full day here – lunch – dinner – walking - museums and shops. Take all the NPS tours and walking tours. They cost nothing and I think it’s worth it.

82 ROGER WILLIAMS NMem – Providence, RI

TRAVEL: It was a 30 mile – roughly 30 minute drive mostly freeway – downtown to downtown – from New Bedford to Providence. The Roger Williams National Memorial is the only site in Rhode Island run by the NPS. It must have been a RI politician’s last chance idea – “why don’t we have a NP?” There just isn’t much here. A very small Visitor Center with very little in it – the park was probably always a part of Providence. They do have a Jr. Ranger Program. Below is some background on Roger Williams and the founding of Rhode Island.

Roger Williams Naitonal Memorial

Roger Williams and his wife Mary sailed with a group of Puritans in 1631 following John Winthrop and the Puritan’s for 1629 who founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Puritan’s believed that the Church of England had not made a clean break with Catholicism.

Williams was a minister but clashed with Wintrhop. Williams disputed charters that took land away

Roger Williams
Visitor Center
Antram-Gray House

from American Indians and denounced “hireling ministers” who were paid from taxes. He finally fled the colony to avoid arrest.

The Narragansett tribe deeded Williams land in 1636 at the headwaters of Narragansett Bay that he named “Providence” after “God’s merciful Providence unto me in my distress.”

After he was joined by family and friends, the settlers formally agreed to “hold forth Liberty of Conscience,” making laws “only in civil things.” They called the colony Rhode Island.

He co-founded the first Baptist Church in North America in 1638. The towns of Portsmouth, Warwick, and Newport were established by religious dissenters. In 1643 he travelled to England to secure a charter for the colony. He died in 1683, near destitute, he said from a lifetime committed to the colony without trying to accumulate land or fortune and this is probably why there just isn’t anything left to commemorate Roger Williams.

And here’s the rub: Rhode Island lived up to its charter allowing all forms of worship as long as they obeyed civil laws. The compelling image of the state’s role would set the pattern for a nation.

New Bedford Whaling Museum – Since there wasn’t much going on in Providence and I didn’t really feel like looking for a golf course back to New Bedford for the Whaling Museum, a beer and dinner. The Whaling Museum was established here before the NHP which probably explains why there isn’t much of a museum at the NHP Visitor Center. There was an admission of $12 for seniors, otherwise $15.

A good museum, they showed 2 films for a total of 45 minutes. One was a History Channel short film on whaling and the second was on the New Bedford fishing industry. Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours here. It devotes some time to the whalers and how they recruited unskilled labor (seamen) from the Azores and Cape Verde Islands. Eventually, these men settled in New Bedford. Additionally, many whalers were African-American – a harpoon design was invented by one of them and several Captains later owners of ships were African American. However, except for the NPS Underground Railroad brochure, neither the NPS nor Whaling Museum devotes much more than a mention to either.

Whaling Museum Sperm Whale Whale boat

In keeping with much of what I’ve seen at many NPs, the museum does devote several exhibits to the Native American Inupiat Eskimos of Barrow Alaska and their whaling techniques

SATURDAY – September 13, 2014

WEATHER: cooler start in the 50’s a fall day – up to the 60’s - started raining around 6:15 pm. I was contemplating a fire tonight – guess not.

TRAVEL: staying around here today – plenty of trails to walk and books to read, clean the truck. Rest and lay back. Mostly updated plans and the website.

Church of the Resurection
Hingham, MA

Mass at 4pm Church of the Resurrectioe Resurection in Hingham, MA. Church was mostly full. They had an older woman as cantor but she had a young voice and a trio of male musicians – piano – violin – cello. The communion interlude/meditation was like attending a concert – they were very good together – good balance. The congregation applauded. Priest’s homily wasn’t bad either – ‘god so loved the world” – a mystery.

SUNDAY – September 14, 2014

WEATHER: clear, sunny – in the high 60’s up to 70-72

TRAVEL: Wompatuck State Park MA to Aces High RV Park, East Lyme CT. Another 50 miles to Vernon.

Aces High accepts only cash or check. No credit cards.

VISITED BOB – delightful conversation & dinner

MONDAY – September 15, 2014

WEATHER: clear, in the high 60’s

TRAVEL: Springfield Armory was about 30+ miles north – a trip of less than an hour.

83 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY NHS– Springfield, MA

Springfield Armory

The Springfield Armory was built, along with the Harpers Ferry Armory when the new government (Henry Knox and George Washington) convinced Congress that the US should not be dependent on foreign arms.

If we are to secure peace one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity it must be known that we are at all times ready for war. George Washington, 1793

Springfield citizens worked at this “arsenal of freedom” for 174 years to provide our infantry the best weapons necessary to safeguard the nation and its interests. It was closed in 1968 and today the grounds serve mostly at a home to Springfield Technical Community College.

The Visitor Center is essentially a gun museum displaying only 1/12 of the available collection.

Springfield Armory

Springfield Armory

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow visited the armory and wrote an essentially anti-war poem in 1843 entitled “The Arsenal at Springfield.” He was inspired by this ‘organ of muskets’

This is the arsenal from floor to ceiling,

Like a huge organ, rise the burnished arms;

But from their silent pipes no anthem pealing

Springfield Armory

The Springfield Armory successfully developed weapons with interchangeable parts. In 1819 Armory employee Thomas Blanchard developed a special lathe for consistent mass production of rifle stocks.

Springfield Armory

The armory produced:

U.S. Percussion Musket Model 1842

U.S. Rifle Model 1873

U.S. Magazine Rifle 1892

U.S. Magazine Rifle 1903 -The Springfield ’03 of WW I considered one of the most accurate weapons ever built.

U.S. Rifle .30 Cal M1 - According to George Patton, the Garand semi-automatic was “thegreatest battle implement ever devised.” Garand was an employee of Springfield.
U.S. Rifle 7.62 mm M14 - developed in 1957 this rifle served as the standard infantry weapon until 1966. George McNamara that private manufacturers could produce better weapons at least cost than the federal government putting the government out of the arsenal business.

Once you find your way in this place there is free parking just outside the Visitor Center. Plan to spend no more than 2 hours here.

US Springfield 1903

GOLF WESTERLY, RI - WINNAPAUG CC. Not worth the $30 green fee and cart. The tees were mostly dirt, the fairways - well, in some cases it was just dirt. The greens were very soft and to top it off they were out of logo balls. Close to the ocean but not worth the time – nor were there any views. It must be one of the few courses in the area – there were plenty of people here. I shot a 46 with 2 lost balls and 19 putts. I should have done better. It really wasn’t that tough of a course but most of the time you were hitting off of dirt.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY completed my visits to all the Parks in MASSACHUSETTS

Adams NHP 8 SEP 2014

Boston NHP 4 SEP 2014

Boston African American NHS 4 SEP 2014

Boston Harbor Islands NRA 9 SEP 2014

Cape Cod NS 11 SEP 2014

Frederick Law Olmsted NHS 6 SEP 2014

John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS 6 SEP 2014

Longfellow NHS 7 SEP 2014

Lowell NHP 11 JUL 2014

Minute Man NHP 11 JUL 2014

New Bedford Whaling NHP 12 SEP 2014

Salem Maritime NHS 31 JUL 2014

Saugus Iron Works NHS 31 JUL 2014

Springfield Armory NHS 15 SEP 2014

GOLF –Patriot GC 4 MAY 2014

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays 7 SEP 2014

GOLF in RI completed my visits to all the Parks in RHODE ISLAND

Roger Williams N MEM 12 SEP 2014

GOLF –Winnapaug CC 15 SEP 2014

TUESDAY – September 16, 2014

WEATHER: overcast, 53 in the trailer this morning, a one dog night Stayed in the high 50-low 60’s all day . Rained on and off from 1030-1230.

TRAVEL: Change in plans. Golf in CT today, weather dependent – Tuesday. Wednesday - will drive to Long Island and Sagamore Hill NHS, located in Oyster Bay, NY then over to Fire Island NS near Patchogue, NY stay at a motel in Medord, NY on Long Island Wednesday night and then take the ferry from Port Jefferson, NY on Long Island to Bridgeport, CT and visit Weir Farm NHS, Wilton, CT on Thursday. Most of this is driven by the hours that these sites are open.

I was planning to visit Great Egg Harbor SRR but this site doesn’t even seem to have a NPS Visitor Center. The SRR is administered by the local communities. After Great Egg I was going to go to Dover AFB; they may be already full. I have tickets for the Orioles game in Baltimore on Sunday and leave from Baltimore for Atlanta and the Servant Leadership Conference on Monday at 9am. So, wait until Friday to see where I park this rig next week.

Goose Run

Goose Run

GOLF – NEW LONDON, CT SUB BASE - GOOSE RUN GC This course was hardly better than Winnapaug – same bare dirt – but most courses around here look that way – no irrigation – little maintenance the price was better $18. However, they put me out in the middle of a Ladies League. The group on the tee let me through; the next group I caught up made me wait 2 holes #2 & #3 before they let me play through. On #6 I caught up with another 4-some – they let me through. A strange course. Lack of space – many of the tees are actually behind the previous green – imagine that. Flat, narrow; no trees to speak of only fences. I shot 44 with 21 putts and 2 lost balls.

WEDNESDAY – September 17, 2014

WEATHER: nice

TRAVEL: The long trip through NYC to Long Island took about 3.5 hours – two speeds out east – 10 mph over the posted limit or very slow. Stay at Comfort Inn in Medford, NY on Long Island.

84 SAGAMORE HILL – Oyster Bay, NY

Sagamore Hill National Historic Siten

Sagamore Hill
Main House

The main house is under restoration/renovation – it’s first according to the rangers. There is a small visitor center and a second Roosevelt house built in an Old Orchard that now serves as a museum. Old Orchard had a good film on TR.

The Roosevelt’s had a history of service to the country in uniform. Of course TR served in the Spanish American War as Colonel of the Rough Riders 1^st Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Son Quinton was KIA as a flyer in WWI; son Theodore served in the Army and was a BG when he landed at Normandy. His portrait hangs in the room at Old Orchard where I saw the film. He died 2 weeks after the Normandy invasion – of a heart attack. He did have a cane and doesn’t look anything like Henry Fonda who played him in the Darryl F. Zanuck 1962 film “D-Day.”

Sagamore Hill concludes the TR historic sites, preceding this was his TR birth home in NYC and the TR inaugural in Buffalo, NY.

According to Roosevelt:

“The house stands high on the top of the hill, separated by fields and belts of woodland from all other houses, and looks out over the bay and the Sound. We see the sun go down beyond long reaches of land and of water.

. . .We love all the seasons; the snows and bare woods of winter; the rush of growing things and the blossom spray of spring; the yellow grain, the ripening grains, the ripening fruits and tasseled corn, and the deep, leafy shades that are heralded by the ‘green dance of summer’; and the sharp fall winds that tear the brilliant banners with which the trees great the dying year.”

(now - that view is obscured by grown trees . . . . reminiscent of some Park Service Superintendents taking the word Park seriously – Bottom Line: no view of “the bay and the sound” here anymore)

The house is a rambling 23 room Victorian structure of wood frame and brick. It looks much like it did when it was home to the Roosevelt’s. I’ve seen photos of the interior – the tour of the home would have been interesting.

I finally found a picture of TR smiling – the cover of a book entitled TR in the bookshop – otherwise never a smile – always serious – stern . . . .

Sagamore Hill

FACTS/BACKGROUND:

1858 Born October 27 in NYC to Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and Martha Bulloch Roosevelt

1880 TR and his fiancée Alice Hathaway Lee bought the property on Cove Neck where the home now stands.

1884 TR’s first wife (Alice Hathaway Lee) and mother died in the family’s NY home on the same day. Alice died 2 days after giving birth to Alice.

TR named the house Sagamore after the Indian chief Sagamore Mohannis who signed away his rights to the land.

1886 TR marries Edith Kermit Carow.

1897-98 TR Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Sagamore Hill

Sagamore Hill

1898 TR Colonel of the Rough Riders

1898-90 TR Governor of New York

1900 TR Elected VP of the United States

1901-1909 TR President of the United States

1912 TR Ran unsuccessfully as candidate of the National Progressive (Bullmoose) Party. His third party run splits the Republican party – Wilson is elected.

1919 TR Died in his sleep at Sagamore Hill, January 6.

I spent about 2 ¼ hours here with the house tour and the nature trail – it could be a full day or about 4 hours. The weather was perfect . Low 70’s not a cloud in the sky – a very light breeze.

85 FIRE ISLAND – Patchogue, NY on Long Island, NY

TRAVEL: I was concerned about this visit. The NPS website is vague about addresses – I met a ranger at Voyageurs who worked here – of course he worked at a VC – you can only reach it by boat – out of the way places seemed to be his MO. This park changes with the seasons. The William Floyd Mansion is only open on weekends . . . so, I thought I’d start at the Park HQ in Patchogue (don’t ask me how to pronounce that). So I drove there – of course – it was CLOSED. I called the Park HQ number and asked which Visitor Centers are open- - - and after a short time (probably to bring up the internet – the person on the other end starts reading off the internet starting with Wilderness which closes at 4 and I’m calling at 2:45 – so I interrupt and ask which are open that I can drive to - and the voice suggests – Fire Island Lighthouse. Thirty minutes later I’m across the Robert Moses Causeway and walking on a fairly new boardwalk to the Lighthouse – I’m glad I did this – although the trip to Wilderness may have been closer but I knew the William Floyd Estate (signer of the Declaration of Independence) was not open.

Fire Island National Seashore

The volunteer at the Lighthouse was very friendly but when I asked about a guide to the nature trail that was marked by an Eagle Scout – she said “ I’ve been here 3 years and don’t know what you’re talking about” I showed her – she was interested but it did not make any sense to me to start a numbered guided tour without a ‘guide’ telling me what I was supposed to be looking at. I didn’t see any rangers here. The place must be busy in the summer. Still busy even at 4 pm or – great beaches.

There are two visitor centers that you can only get to by boat or walk the hard way – Sailor’s Haven and Watch Hill. Ferries apparently operate to both and several other remote sites. A great way to spend a day.

Dunes – but not like the dunes of Indiana Dunes or Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan. Hurricanes apparently take their toll here. The sand doesn’t hold rain so only the hardiest of plants survive.

I had my beach chair that I still haven’t used – but time was short - this is a place to relax – if you visit – spend the day – take your time – plenty of beach and trails/boardwalks to explore.

Fire Island National Seashore

FIRE ISLAND completed my visits to all the Parks in NEW YORK

African Burial Ground NM 14 MAY 2014

Castle Clinton NM 14 SEP 2014

Eleanor Roosevelt NHS 4 AUG 2014

Federal Hall N MEM 14 MAY 2014

Fire Island NS 17 SEP 2014

Fort Stanwix NM 18 JUL 2014

Gateway NRA 15 MAY 2014

General Grant N MEM 15 MAY 2014

Governor’s Island only open Memorial Day – Labor Day

Hamilton Grange N MEM 15 MAY 2014

Home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt NHS 12 SEP 2014

Martin Van Buren NHSS 2 AUG 2014

Sagamore Hill NHS 17 SEP 2014

St. Paul’s Church NHS 20 MAY 2014

Saratoga NHP 19 JUL 2014

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island 14 MAY 2014

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS 15 MAY 2014

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural NHS 13 JUL 2014

Vanderbilt Mansion NHS 3 AUG 2014

Women’s Rights NHP 17 JUL 2014

GOLF –West Point GC 16 MAY 2014

Yankees vs. Pirates 18 MAY 2014

Mets vs. Philles 11 MAY 2014

AND ALL NP SITES (42) IN the North Atlantic Region

Connecticut Maine Massachusetts

New Hampshire New York Rhode Island

Vermont

The National Parks are divided into 9 regions

~~North Atlantic CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT~~

Mid Atlantic MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV

National Capital DC, MD

Southeast AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI

Midwest IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, WI

Southwest AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Rocky Mountains CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Western AS, AZ, CA, GU, HA, N,

PAC NW & Alaska AK, ID, OR, WA

Rather than drive back to East Lyme, CT I had already decided to stay at a Comfort Inn located in Medford, NY. Older building but clean & modernized – only the doors were old – more than adequate. Had a “pepper steak“ dinner at a local Applebees. This was really good, a 7oz sirloin, tomatoes, red potatoes and a mushroom cap with artichoke dip – the mushroom is what caught my attention – dinner was delicious – I ate the whole thing. I have no idea why they call it “pepper steak.”

THURSDAY – September 18, 2014

WEATHER: another perfect day - some clouds but mostly sunny - up to the low 70s

The ferry

TRAVEL: Port Jefferson to Bridgeport via ferry then to Weir Farm NHS in Wilton, CT (about a 30 minute drive) and back to Aces High RV in East Lyme, CT. This ferry was the largest I’ve been on all year. Three decks – they must have had 40-60 autos, buses and RVs on board. A relaxing one hour trip – rather than a 3 hour fast/slow drive to Bridgeport. Weir Farm NHS was about a 35 minute drive from the dock.

84 WEIR FARM NHS – Wilton, CT

Weir Farm

This place was another one of those “glad I did that” places. There is a knowledgeable volunteer staff and rangers. I toured the home and studios with what appeared to be at least 3 local artists/teachers – perhaps college level. They asked the right questions – I learned a lot.

American impressionist Julian Alden Weir (1852-1919) acquired the 153 acre Branchville, CT farm in 1882. Weir began his career in New York as an art instructor and painter of portraits and still lifes. With marriage to Anna Baker in 1883, summers at Branchville, and the birth of a first child, he turned increasingly to domestic scenes.

After 1890 Weir began painting out-of-doors in a distinctive American impressionist style. He did not paint with the intense broken colors that he saw in Paris but used subtle harmonies of color. Weir painted in blues, greens, and silvery grays. When he first saw Monet and Renoir didn’t think it was art - but he learned.

Weir House

His conversion to impressionism was influenced by the farms beauty and also by discussions and painting outings with John Twachtman. Weir, Twachtman and Childe Hassam founded the Ten American Painters. Their landscapes and those of others in The Ten are among the finest works of American impressionism.

J. Alden Weir died on December 8, 1919.

Mormans - Brigham Young in the wagon

There is plenty to do here. The house tour was given by a knowledgeable ranger – he knew his stuff and loved what he was doing. In the studios of Weir and Mahonri Young (sculptor, one of Brigham Young’s grandson’s) who married Weir’s daughter Dorothy in 1931) was a docent who was energetic and loved what she was doing.

budding artist program

This place is again proof, that you don’t have to go very far to find beauty and inspiration. Many ofWeir’s works were painted right here on the farm. The land and is changing seasons were his inspiration. His “colony” of artists also found inspiration and today’s artists, even “budding” artists find inspiration and learn. It looks like a great place for art teachers.

Weir Farm

There are plenty of hiking trails. The grounds are the inspiration. Take your time here. I walked down to the pond – man made – one that the Weir’s used for fishing and row boating – and landscape painting - but it is nothing like the pond at Marsh-Billings – this appears overgrown and in need of care – a nice walk -just the same. I spent about 2 1/4 hours here including the house tour which really just opened up this year and the walk to Weir Pond. You can spend more time walking the trails.

FRIDAY – September 19, 2014

WEATHER: partly cloudly, up to low 70s, windy

TRAVEL: Aces RV Park in East Lyme, CT to Dover Fam Camp, Dover AFB, Delaware. They don’t have many sites here. Earlier this week I called and indications were that they could be filled by Friday. Well . . . . after a 288 mile 5 ½ hour drive I got to Dover and pulled into Site 1 – water & electric – no WIFI here – no showers or toilets but I guess I have that covered . . . .$18/day.

Dover is home to the Air Mobility Command – big rigs come in and out of here – C-5 Galaxies and C-17 Globemasters.

SATURDAY – September 20, 2014

WEATHER: never needed a blanket last night

TRAVEL: Dover AFB

On August 3, I purchased a small book entitled “Eleanor Roosevelt: A Face of Humanitarianism and Social Change” when I was at the Eleanor Roosevelt NHS – Val Kill. I figured a small book, 76 pages, the NPS is generally very picky about its selections offered in the bookstores, the title sounded intriguing and ER was a remarkable woman. Nobody would have screened this book. This book is terrible. It is sophomoric - full of typos and written as a passable high school term paper – only because of the effort. This book is terrible – I laughed at this on p. 46 “as we all know that before the nineteen-sixties, slavery was a widely accepted practice for the use of African-Americans.” This book is terrible. OK – that set me off – this author Crystal Roberts’ books - should be removed from all bookshelves. I forced myself to finish it – then threw it away – it wasn’t worth keeping. The book is simply awful literature.

Air Mobility Command Museum – you can get to this place without going on base. I can see it from the Fam Camp but have to drive off base to get to it because of fences. A great place for kids and adults to get out and tough/walk through the planes. Volunteers gives tours.

C-7 Caribou

C-7 CARIBOU – a light tactical transport aircraft designed for operation in the most primitive conditions. It can land or takeoff on unprepared surfaces of less than 1000 feet in length. Originally, designed by deHavilland of Canada – pre-production aircraft were flown by an operational unit in 1961. I flew on one of these from Mitchell Field to Ft. Sill and a recon prior to the 1-126 FA rail loading down to Sill. I clearly remember the traffic on the interstate going faster than we were moving – a terrific head wind. The trip took 11 hours. On the return we flew directly over my house in Burlington.

C-130 HERCULES – in the inventory since 1956 and it has gone through several renovations. I’ve flown on these numerous times – To Fort Lewis with a couple of HMWVs and to Ft. Sill. The 440th Air Reserve Wing at Mitchell Field used to have these.

C-141 STARLIFTER – the workhorse of the AMC from the 1970’s to the early 2000’s. Able to lift combat forces over long distances. I flew on these several times – from Lewis/McChord to Alaska for 2 Yama Sakura’s and back again. From Lewis/McChord to Alaska to Japan and back – one of those trips were jump seats along the fuselage and along the center – shoulder to shoulder-knee to keee for 14 hours it was uncomfortable. Also flew on one from Lewis/McChord to Alaska to Japan to Korea. Seems like I’ve been on C-141s more than a few times.

C-5 Galaxy – The largest aircraft in the US Air Force. In the inventory since 1973. I flew on one of these out to Ft. Lewis when I was Brigade S-3. Of course, our wheeled vehicles were below. We didn’t fly back – something about Somalia taking precedence – so we rail loaded the vehicles and it broke my heart to fly back commercial.

KC-135 STRATOTANKER – this plane provides the core of our air refueling capability. It’s been around for more than 50 years. I’ve flown on these more than once also. The 128^th Refueling Wing ANG at Mitchell Field has these.

Drove to Delmarva RV in Millford about 15 minutes down the road. I picked up a safety pin for the hitch (too big) and end caps for the bumper and a door latch for the front door (too long). Well, I’ve got spares.

GOLF - DOVER AFB EAGLE CREEK GC This course is on base in the housing area – you need an ID to get through the gate Laid out in a confusing manner – there is a map on the scorecard but it’s microscopic. The starter warned me about Hole #2 but forgot to tell me about #8. A couple on #7 let me play through – but I played the wrong hole and found them again when they were on the green of the real #7. Confusing – narrow – water – at least the fairways were mostly green – when I could follow them. I shot a 52 with 21 putts and 2 lost balls and hit wood on 5 of nine holes. A little frustrating.

xx GREAT EGG HARBOR SRR – Cape May Court House, NJ

Not even the NPS can give me an answer as to where to find a cancellation station – so I didn’t bother driving around the country side looking. I finally visited this site on Oct 14, 2019 Site #411 of 419

From: David Gapinski [mailto:dgapinski@att.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2014 9:18 AM
To: 'Dave Hoffman'
Subject: FW: Inquiry From www.eparks.com Where exactly is the cancellation site for Great Egg Harbor

Dave:

Thank you for your response.

I’ve already checked those web sites and the answer to my question is still unanswered.

That’s why I sent the e-mail request to NPS direct.

I was hoping for something more definitive – like an address or a Visitor Center.

Thanks

Dave

From: Dave Hoffman [mailto:davehoffman@Easternnational.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 9:55 AM
To: David Gapinski
Subject: RE: Inquiry From www.eparks.com

David-

Cancellation locations: http://www.eparks.com/store/content/863/Passport-Cancellation-Locations/

Great Egg Harbor info: http://www.nps.gov/greg/index.htm

From: David Gapinski [mailto:dgapinski@att.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 6:41 PM
To: Dave Hoffman
Subject: RE: Inquiry From www.eparks.com

I apologize.

After I sent the e-mail, I recognized I should have been more clear.

I am interested in the Passport Cancellation stamp.

From: Dave Hoffman [mailto:davehoffman@Easternnational.org]
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 2:16 PM
To: Dave Gapinski
Subject: RE: Inquiry From www.eparks.com

Dave-

Are you referring to the adhesive sticker or the rubber cancellation stamp?

David Hoffman

eParks.com/Eastern National

Assistant Warehouse Manager

470 Maryland Dr. Ste#2

Fort Washington PA 19034

(215) 283-6900 ext 143

(215) 591-0903 Fax.

davehoffman@easternnational.org

From: Dave Gapinski [mailto:dgapinski@att.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 7:23 AM
To: CustomerCare
Subject: Inquiry From www.eparks.com

Full Name :	Dave Gapinski
Company Name :
E-mail Address :	dgapinski@att.net
Query :	Does Great Egg Harbor offer a Passport stamp? If so, at what location? Can I call to verify hours?

End of that story.

SUNDAY – September 21, 2014

WEATHER: started out humid and cloudy – cleared up as I got to Baltimore for the game -perfect

TRAVEL: Dover AFB to Baltimore. Left the trailer at the Long Term Lot on Dover AFB. I got a form saying I was (possible) Space A Travel. No charge for parking. The Rec guy wouldn’t let me store it for a week – said the minimum is 6 months – web site has monthly rates for $31. I don’t think he wanted to hear me. Oh well – Long Term is no cost. This will be an expensive week . . . . . 6 nights in hotels, flight to Atlanta, the conference and 2 MLB games.

Washed the truck at the base Shopette.

you probably can't read this either

9:15 Dover AFB Base Chapel. I must have read the sign wrong – missed mass and attended a “Contemporary” service – a Christian band – 4 vocalists – a drummer, bass, guitar and keyboards – lots of music – no hand clapping although the Chaplain was a Baptist from eastern Tennessee – went to the seminary in New Orleans – service by power point. He was good. His sermon was on Leadership: Mercy and Grace. He spoke about the leadership he’s seen in the service – not always kind - - - mostly not very merciful – almost as if he knew - - - complimented my trip to Atlanta and Servant Leadership Conference – guess I was supposed to go

Add caption

JJ Hardy -
a swing and a miss

BALTIMORE ORIOLES vs. BOSTON RED SOX Camden Yards 1:05 pm

Section 12 Row 15 Seat 24 This was a great park! It was comparable to Philadelphaia – so except for Miller – my favorites are Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and Camden Yards in Baltimore. Yes, the beer vendors here have character but I think it’s a good park to watch a game in. It just seems friendly, it’s open and it is a ‘downtown’ ball park. The Orioles have their division sewn up so the fans are all excited - “O” – and “the bird” - - - - of course all the stores were out of the 2014 Orioles Team Set – even the Baseball Hall of Fames web site didn’t have them - The Orioles lost 3 to 2. It really should have been by more. The Sox had 12 hits – 2 home runs – vs the Orioles having 6 hits, most late in the game. JJ Hardy plays Shortstop for the Orioles – he went 0 for 4 batting - several missed opportunities. It was warm - in the high 70’s-low 80’s – sat in the sun – stayed for the whole game.

Staying at the Days Inn Inner Harbor – downtown. This is 2 blocks from Camden Yards. Parking was $27 but - - - - - close to where I stayed at the Hyatt for the NGAUS Conference when it was in Baltimore - - - - Easy walk to Camden Yards.

Constellation - Inner Harbor - Baltimore

I ate down at the Inner Harbor an Irish Pub – think I’ve been there before the service was terrible – although they did have a bass, fiddle and guitar playing on the patio. I was hungry so I ate all the fish. Got a good view of the USS Constellation in the harbor – I believe it’s a reproduction – the real USS Constellation was a frigate built about the same time as the USS Constitution. It’s about a 15 mile drive to the airport from the hotel.

MONDAY – September 22, 2014

WEATHER: Started out in the 60s in Baltimore. 70s when I got to Atlanta – perfect.

TRAVEL: Fly from Baltimore, MD to Atlanta, GA for International Servant Leadership Conference. The trip on DELTA was uneventful. However, Is this a different DELTA? The flight crew and agents at the gate were most courteous and helpful – they even made a point of saying that the flight arrived was going to be on time and when we landed, indicated that we were 3 minutes ahead of schedule.

Finished reading “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac – a named novel of the “beat” generation. It was published in 1957 and tells of his adventures traveling the US. A writer of his time – I discovered him when I visited Lowell, MA – his home town. The book is OK – but was part of cutting edge for the 50’s. It may be hedonistic but not full of the obscenity. Yes, it appears he may have coined the term “beat” in the late 40’s. The Beatniks of the 50’s – 60’s grew up and the movement transformed into the hippie and counter-culture. Kerouac died in St. Petersburg, in 1969, at the age of 47.

I took a cab from the airport to the Sheraton Atlanta. Explored a bit of downtown – it was a 3 long block uphill walk to Peachtree Center Blvd. There seems to be so much more to Atlanta than the previous times I’ve been here. Found the Westin where we stayed for NGAUS in it might have been ’98. Huge over 60 floors – I hope they have upgraded and improved service since then – back in 98 it was terrible. I hope the Sheraton is better. Lunch was soup and salad at the Junk Joynt on Peachtree for $10 with a Yuengling. I must have been tired – went back to the room read a bit and fell asleep.

TUESDAY – September 23, 2014

WEATHER: Started out in the 60’s - mid-high 70’s this afternoon - sunny.

TRAVEL: MLK NHS is about 3 blocks; Turner Field is 1.5-2 miles; I think I’ll explore MARTA for travel back to the airport on Friday.

Were losing 2 ½ minutes of daylight per day. Sunrise in Atlanta today is 7:25 am – 6:55 am in Baltimore. It’s still dark outside!

Walked to the USPO – only 3 blocks away – but hidden. It’s located beneath Peachtree St. I eventually found it and then went to the MARTA station – bought a BREEZE Card for $1 and 2 $2.50 fares – will take the train from PEACHTREE to FIVE POINTS walk to Underground Atlanta and catch the Turner Field Shuttle.

Martin Luther King Jr NHS New Ebenezer Church is to the left back

87 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. NHS – Atlanta, GA

TRAVEL: I walked about 8 blocks from the hotel. The Martin Luther King NHS was established in 1980 to preserve the places where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and is buried. We visited this site with the Holmes’ when in Atlanta for the NGAUS Conference. Much here has changed in almost 30 years. The Park Service now runs the old Ebenezer Church where before it was run by people from the church. Much has improved – it’s more park-like than run down.

VISITOR CENTER: In the 12 years that Martin Luther King Jr. led the American Civil Rights Movement, African Americans made more progress toward equality than in the previous three centuries. His most celebrated speech is the “I Have a Dream” speech, given August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. In 1964, King became the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ebenezer Church

Ebenezer Sancturary

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH: Built in 1914-22, Ebenezer was the center of spiritual and community life. King wrote: “The church has always been a second home for me.” His father was pastor and King served as co-pastor during the 1960’s. After MLK was assassinated, his brother A.D. King was co-pastor until his sudden death in 1969. In 1974 a gunman fatally shot King’s mother and Deacon Edward Boykin and wounded 3 others in the sanctuary. The Heritage Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are restored to their 1960’s appearance. The new church is across the street next to the Visitor Center.

MLK Birth Home

Tombs of Martin Luther
& Coretta King

DR. & MRS. KING’s TOMB: A reflecting pool surrounds the tombs and an Eternal Flame serves as a reminder of the Kings undying commitment to their community

THE KING CENTER (FREEDOM HALL) contains exhibits on the Kings, Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi. Special exhibit on the holocaust.

KING BIRTH HOME: Born here on January 15, 1929, King lived here for 12 years with his parents, maternal grandmother, sister, brother, uncle, and great aunt. Tour wasn’t until 2 pm didn’t hang around for the tour.

ATLANTA CYCLORAMA (Atlanta Zoo)

TRAVEL: Took a cab from MLK NHS to the cyclorama cost $11 with tip – the return trip from the Zoo to a downtown hotel was no cost – gave the driver a $3 tip.

Cyclorama Building

The Atlanta Cyclorama, depicts of the Battle of Atlanta (July 22 1864) and was painted in Milwaukee in the 1880’s.

Illinois Senator (General) John A Logan, Commander of the XV Corps during the Battle of Atlanta, commissioned the painting as a huge campaign poster. Logan planned to run for president but died just as it was completed. It’s considered a cultural treasure and national tourist attraction. The company that painted it went bankrupt in Atlanta in 1898 and it’s remained there ever since.

Locomotive "Texas"

It was restored during the 1970’s but most likely after I had first seen it. The time I saw it was in sad shape. The painting weighs 9,334 lbs and is 358 feet by 42 feet tall. Like the Gettysburg Cyclorama (not painted in Milwaukee) the picture has incredible accuracy and a three dimensional feel that adds realism. Viewing the cyclorama is preceded by a short film that leads up to the Battle of Atlanta and the viewing platform itself rotates around with a narration of the battle and the scenes depicted. It was worth the price of admission – although the ‘museum’ is nothing to brag about. No pictures allowed. Saw almost all of the Disney film “The Great Locomotive Chase” while waiting for the next showing – Fess Parker – Jeffrey Hunter and John Lipton - memories. The locomotive “Texas” is featured in the movie and is in the museum.

Turner Field - Atlanta, GA

Turner Field - Atlanta, GA

Turner Field - Atlanta, GA

ATLANTA BRAVES vs. PITTSBURGH PIRATES - Turner Field – 7:00 p.m.

SECTION 324L Row 1 Seat 101
Travel: MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) Peachtree Center to Five Points – caught the MARTA shuttle at Underground Atlanta to Turner Field –$5 round trip. I was on the 3^rd(club level – but no enclosure), in an ‘all you can eat’ section - including Bud Light, chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, chips and cookies. The ball park was not very full – neither were the shuttles. Overall, the ball park is OK. The Braves are 16 ½ games behind the Nationals in the NL East. The Braves organization is proud of their past with pictures of Aaron, Matthews, and Spahn – didn’t they make their names in Milwaukee? The Braves lost to the Pirates 2-3.

Monday, August 18, 2014