A partial post today with much more to follow tomorrow. Yeah, I'm back!
Something that occurred yesterday, hit home with me more than it probably should have. But it seems only appropriate to bring it up on this day of Memorial in the U.S., for those that have served and protected.
Peb's and I were in the States over the weekend and there will definitely be a LOT more on that tomorrow. The thing with us is, we rather enjoy the longer drive along two lane blacktop and will almost always make the decision to take a route with some type of aesthetic or historic values. We chose very wisely yesterday! Just Northwest of Scranton PA, there's old historic route #6. I urge all of my American friends to try and take it just once. The beauty of the landscape as you seemingly never stop the up and downhill trek to the Northwest, can only be described as breath taking. Often with a river on one side and the steep embankments of the mountainous region on the other, one begins to feel humbled by the efforts of those that came before you, back in the late 1700's. After a drive through this route, one can only use their imagination to fathom how 1000's of soldiers could have possibly survived this trek on foot, over 200 years ago.
But even more important than the phenomenal beauty of the trip and dotted along the roadside for all to see, were historic placards of noted dates and names of each and every event that occurred along the route. Some of the history along the way, has nothing at all to do with soldiers and waring. But instead focuses on the Artisan side of being American. Stephen Foster's Camptown Races and the history behind the origin of the song are posted along the way, as an example. The point is, it's all there for anyone to see and learn about.
We went into this route knowing that over such a holiday as the Memorial day weekend, this may just be a very busy drive. But sadly, (in my humble opinion) two Canadians basically had this entire route to themselves. In fact all things considered, we were very surprised that our historic trip from Valley Forge up through the Northwest passage into and through so many significant historical locations, was not only a worry free trip, but an American free trip as well. Something that totally surprised and amazed us as we journeyed on.
I'm not trying to say anything other than this. Over the course of two hundred and some years, it's a little sad to me that fireworks have become the grand memory for this weekend, rather than the intrinsic value of the history that helped make the weekend possible in the first place. I know the feelings and the memories are deep within so many of my American friends and readers out there. I'd just like to say, take the time to enjoy a much stronger bond with the true reason you celebrate someday when you get the chance. If you get nothing more out of the trip than the incredible scenery, it'll be fully worth it. But me thinks as the history of the region starts to creep into your very being as you go along the way, you'll begin to appreciate the other side of the amazing efforts made by Americans on a daily basis. They've managed to keep your country, the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Happy Memorial Day my friends! And so many thanks to those of you who have served to protect all of North America from the many dangers lurking, both at home and abroad.
More tomorrow on good friends and great times.
My sincerest thanks for dropping by....
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3 comments:
Thank you, Bam Bam. As an oversentimental retired service member.
You always have such a nice view of life. I find that admirable and enviable (in a good way). Keep up the nice work, Sir!!
I've been dead twice muhc, with multiple "zippers" to prove it!
It's not advice I give with any hope that you experience for certain but, living takes on a whole new meaning once everyone else has given up on you.
Consider the options! Live and enjoy, live and begrudge or choose the alternative.
Advice I do freely give? Live as if it's the last moment you have on the right side of the grass! You never know when it just might be.
If you're going to be mad, be furious! If you can avoid that, (and I hope you do) be happier than everyone else around you. Life may just be a box of chocolates after all. But enjoying what you get, is far more important than not knowing what's coming next.
"People" wait to see what life's dealt them. "Person's," will take full advantage of what they're dealt.
Be a "person." The worlds already full of "people."
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