On the road for history, for art, and for adventure.
Picture perfect, like a scene on the front of a jigsaw puzzle box. A trip to the Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland, Washington lets people walk into that picture. I had no idea what the mill looked like until I drove right up to it. The narrow, woodsy road leading down to the creek... Continue Reading →
The Monticello Convention Tree: Territorial Convention Witness It’s often the trees that withstand time and adversity. We stand under them and marvel at what calamities have befallen them, sigh in sympathy at their heavily burdened branches and the scarred-over gashes in their trunks. We understand the trials, and we admire them for their fortitude and... Continue Reading →
Kayaks, paddles and dog in tow, the map said “that way” to the water! Though not seeking a northwest passage, I was seeking access to the waters near the Columbia River. Sauvie Island, which sits in the Columbia, has a lake nested inside itself, Sturgeon Lake. They say that half the adventure is getting there,... Continue Reading →
The state’s smallest lighthouse sits on the Columbia River’s largest island, Sauvie Island, and is only one of two on the river. A seven-mile, round trip hike along the river leads hikers out to Warrior’s Head lighthouse. So named by a small party from the 1792 George Vancouver expedition who found themselves surrounded by 23... Continue Reading →
Stand Where They Stood… at their battle Often standing where they stood is quite humbling and is cause for reverence. It happens to me in a place where my written word is merely comment and could never capture the true immensity of the time, place, or event. In southeastern Montana, on the Crow Reservation lies... Continue Reading →
August 2, 2019 In the Black Hills of South Dakota… Despite this day also being the opening day of the 79th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a trip to the likes of Deadwood and the notion of Old West saloons took precedent. Lo and behold, August 2nd, 143 years ago, is the day that Wild Bill... Continue Reading →
After you stand at the Alamo in San Antonio Texas and ponder the last days of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and many others, make your way to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church just four blocks away. It was built not long after the historical battle. People of San Antonio, including one of the signers and the... Continue Reading →
Yep, went to the Alamo...but...when I heard that someone had turned a cannon into a church bell, and that it was just blocks away, I had to go find it. I may have already been standing in front of an iconic site for Southwest history when I heard this news, but THIS had to be... Continue Reading →
Standing where it happened. Standing where they stood. It’s one of the ways we experience history. We travel to the place where the something happened or drive long distances to see the something that is still there. We get there and say, “wow!” snap a few pictures, then get back in our cars and go.... Continue Reading →
Post Offices...Mail Carriers...Cannons in the Surf Postal carriers witness history. Think about it…who’s out and about six days a week, often on foot? Mail carriers, and they often were eye witnesses to historical events...like finding cannons on the beach, but first... In Astoria Oregon, March 9, 1847, the first federal post office and U.S.... Continue Reading →
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