On the road for history, for art, and for adventure.
Living on the west coast means not having too long of a drive to see ocean waves. Even then, modern day travelers stretch their legs from a seemingly long road trip, climb the dunes through slogging sand, and sigh a big relief when they see the crashing waves. Small feat when compared to the journey... 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 →
A rolling stone gathers no moss. William Sydney Porter gathered no moss from idleness. He seems to have rolled from one mode in life, one trade, one phase of life to the next. I stood at one of those moments in his Austin Texas home in which he lived while publishing his weekly paper, The... Continue Reading →
Though 214 years, one month, and a few days apart, I venture to say that Merriweather Lewis and I shared some very similar experiences on the Missouri River. Lewis ascended, yes that’s right, went UP the Missouri, expecting to see the great falls, which would confirm that it was indeed the Missouri. He himself was... 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 →
Though 214 years, one month, and a few days apart, I venture to say that Merriweather Lewis and I shared some very similar experiences on the Missouri River. Lewis ascended, yes that’s right, went UP the Missouri, expecting to see the great falls, which would confirm that it was indeed the Missouri. He himself was... 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 →
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 →
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