John Brown’s Last Big Stand at Harpers Ferry
John Brown believed that he had been chosen by God himself to bring about the end of slavery in America. Although the raid on Harpers Ferry ended in failure, the actions of this abolitionist brought the question of slavery to the forefront. The death of this martyr would soon demand an answer from a divided nation.
Traveling with Rebecca and the kids through West Virginia, I couldn’t possibly pass up the opportunity to explore this notable piece of American history. The historic section of Harpers Ferry, WV, is now preserved inside of a federal park on the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers . Visitors to the site are shuttled from a parking lot via bus to the entrance of this beautifully restored 19th century town. Unfortunately my camera-phone died halfway through our self-guided tour, but I did manage to snap some rather interesting scenes.
The historic town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia awaits visitors stepping off the shuttle onto Shenandoah St. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Civil War, Harper's Ferry, John Brown, slaves, West Virginia by Big John with 1 comment.
Our Big Fat Canadian Road Trip
For Christmas this year, Rebecca and I decided to embark on a road trip in lieu of gifts. We didn’t want to just drive anywhere, and we certainly didn’t want to go somewhere we had been numerous times before. So, after giving it a little thought, we decided on one bonanza of a road trip. We were going to make a northbound trek all the way to the French-speaking, European-like city of Quebec. Our big fat Canadian road trip would take us through eight states, (SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY), and encompass 1228 miles of open road.
1,228 miles from Greenville, SC to Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
On Christmas Eve, after working an abbreviated shift, we packed up my 2003 BMW X5, put on some holiday music, and began our yuletide drive. The trip began without a hitch and by midnight I was already passing through Gettysburg, Pa. I managed to drive two hours more before deciding on a little shut-eye at a Maryland rest stop. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Canadian road trip, Chateau Frontenac, Old Quebec City, Quebec, road trip by Big John with 1 comment.
Warmth and Romance at the Chez Marie-Claire
For anyone curious, chez in French translates to at someone’s home or business. During my recent visit to Chez Marie-Claire, I didn’t meet anyone named Claire, but I did encounter two incredibly hospitable Bed & Breakfast hosts.
Dorian and Marie
Dorian and Marie are the lovely couple that manage the Chez Marie-Claire. The moment you arrive at this quaint Bed & Breakfast, these two will be standing there to greet you, help with bags, and let you know you’ve found that special home away from home. While Dorian and Marie speak mostly French, their English skills are rather impressive considering the two have only been studying the language for a few short months. The Chez Marie-Claire’s structure was built in the year 1885 and is located right in the heart of Old Quebec. Its ideal locale is within easy walking distance to the Chateau Frontenac and other great attractions.
(more…)Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Bed & Breakfast, Chez Marie Claire, Old Quebec City by Big John with no comments yet.
A South Carolina Island, an Old Fort, and the Legend of the Gold Bug
Even those that keen on the topic of American Romanticism and great works of literature, may not understand the link between a South Carolina island, an old fort and the legend of the gold bug. On November 18, 1827, an eighteen year old U.S. army private, Edgar Allen Poe, arrived by ship to Charleston Harbor to report for military duty. His station, Fort Moultrie, was located roughly nine miles southeast from the bustling port city of Charleston on a picturesque piece of marshland called Sullivan’s Island.
Edgar Allen Poe ( author of The Raven, Tell-Tale Heart, and more)
Private Edgar Poe’s occupation as an army clerk allowed him ample time to engage in idle activities such as exploring the island and perfecting his craft as a writer. There remains no doubt that the area’s storied history of notorious pirates such as Blackbeard (Edward Teach) inspired Poe to take to the pen and create his fascinating tale of pirate treasure and the legend of a gold bug. His short story, The Gold Bug, tells the tale of a man bitten by a mysterious gold bug that eventually leads him to uncovering a buried fortune on the South Carolina island. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Great Dining, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged Edgar Allen Poe, Gold Bug, Sullivan's Island by Big John with no comments yet.
3 Miles Up, 3 Miles Down or How to Conquer Curahee Mountain
On Memorial Day, 2015, we loaded up the car and headed out for a day trip to Toccoa, Georgia. Although this Blue Ridge region of the Peach State has many spectacular places of interest, I was only focused on finding one particular landmark: Currahee Mountain. Currahee is a Cherokee word meaning “stand alone”. Most likely the name was derived from the mountain’s prominent peak that extends higher than all others within Stephens County. Currahee Mountain, which rises abruptly above the Chattahoochee Forest, climbs about 800 vertical feet above the local terrain and its summit is visible for many miles on a clear day.
(more…)Posted in Adventure Fitness, Adventurous Places, Historical Journeys, North America and tagged 506th Infantry Regiment, Band of Brothers, currahee, Currahee Mountain, Toccoa Georgia, WW2 by Big John with 10 comments.