Travel Log: Frog Song and Bald Eagle Gazes

(Springfield, Illinois; April 1, 2018) Thus begins the first travel column I’ve ever written that incorporates two states. Two states and four sites. Can I cook, or can’t I?! (You’ll notice yet another new state on my map at bottom!) A couple of days ago on March 30 I hiked the Fort Donelson National Battlefield … Continue reading Travel Log: Frog Song and Bald Eagle Gazes

Travel Log: Phase 2!

(Huber Heights, Ohio; March 19, 2018) Phase 2 is underway! This will be a short leg. It began in Georgia, and right now I’m at my brother’s in Ohio again. Next week I trek to new lands: Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. Middle of next month I’m going to Hawaii (Phase 3), so I only … Continue reading Travel Log: Phase 2!

Travel Log: Dueling Warships (Part 3)

(Niceville, Florida; March 8, 2018) The Sunshine State has waded into the waters of museum ships with two entries of her own. Granted, the firepower of these combined vessels wouldn’t dent the battleship North Carolina’s armor, but these ships are both rather unique vessels that tell an often overlooked part of America’s maritime story: the … Continue reading Travel Log: Dueling Warships (Part 3)

Travel Log: Dueling Warships (Part 2)

(Niceville, Florida; March 2, 2018) The duel of the warships now brings us south, to, appropriately enough, South Carolina. South Carolina is a state rich in natural and human history, a state that played a pivotal and famous role during the American Revolution, and a pivotal and infamous role during the American Civil War. Today … Continue reading Travel Log: Dueling Warships (Part 2)

Travel Log: Dueling Warships (Part 1)

(Niceville, Florida; March 4, 2018) I’m currently home in Niceville; Phase 1 of Grand Tour USA is done; Phase 2 begins in two weeks. Time to catch up, and I’ll start with a multi-part series on historic ships. Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina could put to sea some seriously heavy-duty naval armament if they … Continue reading Travel Log: Dueling Warships (Part 1)

Travel Log: Music to My Ears

(Jan. 24, 2018) Delaware is a wonderful example of that maxim stating even smallest of places can be found to harbor the greatest of treasures...if one will only take a moment to shine some light on them. I forget the man’s name who made this observation, but he’s one of the great sages of our … Continue reading Travel Log: Music to My Ears

Travel Log: Delaware Confidential

(Jan. 22, 2018) Delaware is a charming state, easily driven across in just a few hours. It was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, thereby earning it the self-chose nickname of “The First State.” Delaware was one of the 13 states that rebelled against Great Britain, but, contrary to common vernacular, Delaware was … Continue reading Travel Log: Delaware Confidential

Travel Log: A Day in the District

(Jan. 17, 2018) I officially picked up Maryland on the 11th for my State Collection, and got Washington, D.C., on the 12th. If you check the state map, you’ll see I’ve also picked up Virginia (Jan. 13) and Delaware (Jan. 17). I know D.C. isn’t a state, but the federal city is our capital, and … Continue reading Travel Log: A Day in the District

Travel Log: John Brown Marches On

(Jan. 10, 2018) John Brown cast a long, long shadow across the United States in 1859, a shadow so long he is (in my opinion) rightly considered one of the final causes of the Civil War. I did my master’s thesis on him while I was still active duty, focusing on how, despite his spectacular … Continue reading Travel Log: John Brown Marches On

Travel Log: A Bridge to the Past

(Jan. 8, 2018) I’m sitting in Charles Town, West Virginia, tonight. Tomorrow (weather permitting) I’ll tour Harpers Ferry. I did my master’s thesis on John Brown and how he became such an avatar of terror for the Antebellum South that his 1859 raid is (rightly, I think) regarded as one of the specific events that … Continue reading Travel Log: A Bridge to the Past