What makes the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania a Smithsonian quality experience ?

Do you ever wonder why the events surrounding America’s Civil War from 1861-1865 tend to repeat themselves now? Or perhaps you might doubt that studying this tragic period even matters to us in a modern world that seems so different from those slavery driven times of over one hundred fifty years ago. In either case, I believe a visit to the National Civil War Museum in the town of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania would offer you a reasonable choice to decide for yourself whether the wins and losses from those times matter in your life now from either a Northern (Union side) and Southern (Confederate side) perspective.

So let’s say you desire to take Abraham Lincoln’s Union position which meant opposition to Black American slavery and the supremacy of national government action to re-unite the country then.You might then pay extra attention to video monitors at the museum that realistically re-create how brilliantly he delivered his speeches with simple common sense logic. Or you might stare at a 3-D diorama depicting  the inhumanity of a poor slave woman’s being sold with her son to a heartless new master. In either case you’re obtaining some new awareness of how similarly some “red” sections of America manifest racial/immigrant bias and federal government distrust in today’s times. 

Or  alternatively, you’ve decided to take a tour of this museum expressing full sympathy with the so called secession states of the Confederacy. You know full well then how strongly this “ Land of Dixie” desired to preserve the right to subjugate African Americans to inferior status through slavery and uphold as well the right of each state to control its own governmental destiny. So you’d likely show captive attention to a short movie presentation starring a southern farmer acting out crazed eagerness to get into the war fight with his trustworthy horse to defend his slave driven land. Or you might move along other lifelike scene corridors feeling the indignity  of southern property destruction as Confederate soldiers  desperately hope to “turn the tide”. Such pro violent imagery could now enlighten you more clearly to how Trumpism’s spread and other extremist elements of America’s current Republican Party seem to be operating in our political arena today.

When you’ve experienced enough distaste at this museum, learning about  the Civil War’s shocking bloodshed that laid waste to over 620,000 soldiers lives over a four year period, step outside the entrance for a breath of fresh air. Simply gaze silently in a westerly distance at this pleasurable scenes of majestic mountains and fertile forestland unfolding in the distance. Then glance at the orderly human arrangements of Harrisburg neighborhoods in the foreground. How might this mind restoring landscape impact your thoughts about the mass destruction you’ve witnessed today about the Civil War? Now move on to the photos below which showcase some highlights of our visit to the museum. 

When distant military drums call me to visit a historic town like Annapolis, what paths excite me along the way?

The massive “yard complex” of the United States Naval Academy abuts the compact center of “Old Town” in historic Annapolis Maryland. So, I considered it fun to just amble from our parking lot along those narrow town streets by Old State House Circle, several historic pubs, a town history museum, the independent book store and a plethora of antique shops to the academy on foot to recapture the authentic “air” of Early American colonial times. But such an “air” of quaint living conditions in this town center that once functioned as America’s first National Capitol from 1783-1784 could be deceiving. For upon taking a peek through a well fortified gate allowing secure access to the Naval Academy, I suddenly realized how difficult a task the remainder of today’s journey would likely be in attempting to sightsee entirely around this visually sprawling maze of military buildings.

But in accordance with the popular Navy spirit of “Anchors Away”, signifying  the courageous act of moving forward into the unknown that inspiring motto likewise called for us to proceed wisely into these arduous looking surroundings with a more limited morning tour than previously planned. That meant allotting two hours maximum today at the Armel – Leftwich Visitor Center where we would (1) watch an introductory film explaining the arduous task of Midshipmen cadet training, (2) peruse some impressive statues, paintings, and other artifacts exemplifying those high standards of historic Naval commitment and (3) take a picturesque walk outside the building along the river path facing Chesapeake Bay. So overall, I can say I’m very impressed with our brief introduction to this United States Navy home yet in all honesty my “history buff” mentality has driven me to prioritize seeing more of Old Annapolis town. So why wait until a future road trip to do this? We could just spend tomorrow morning for a second town visit and enjoy a brief tour of the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Enjoy the photos.

What qualities make Savannah, Georgia so enticing to me as a curious traveler?

It’s no coincidence that my wife and I chose Savannah, Georgia to begin our latest road trip this weekend. For I envisioned taking more time to to sightsee on foot the “Old Town” portion of this southern city as a much anticipated followup to our past visits. I also knew ahead of time our stopover in Savannah would take place during the annual “ Juneteenth” holiday celebrating the emancipation of Black Americans from slavery’s wrath centuries ago. You might notice then in the brief set of photos below my reasoning for four conclusions I curiously absorbed on this visit.

1. Savannah’s history remains a dominant theme of our visits.

2. There’s a sense of calm escape from city life that affects me along its historic squares.

3. I sense a mystical allure radiating from magnificent tree cover along pedestrian paths. 

4. Savannah’s current culture makes sightseeing fun and convenient for all.

Since I am planning to road trip this summer, what places do I most desire to see?

I live in South Florida, the place where Ex – President Donald Trump just got indicted for various criminal crimes against our country. So consider the sheer gravity of this moment sinking in, knowing he’s the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges by the federal government that he once oversaw. Thus I cringe at the ominous prospect of potential insurrections sparking public dissent during the upcoming arraignment and future trial proceedings in Miami of this accused man. I’m also traumatized by the humanely insensitive administration of current governor, Ron De Santis. For I wonder why he’s been been given full clearance in Tallahassee to run around the country campaigning for President and not actually be present to govern in our state. To make matters worse, I vehemently question as a concerned citizen that his frequent absence from Florida now comes at a time when potential unrest in Miami next week would undoubtedly dictate his clear and direct oversight of security measures that day.

So let’s just say that these are two prime examples of political poison in the state and region where I live that drives me to look elsewhere now to experience America from a more optimistic perspective.This motivation also provides a logical rationale for our upcoming road trip itinerary northward to visit sites that I hope will make me feel American proud again.

I must first highlight this patriotic journey then with hopeful visions of glorious military victory from past Civil War times in our revisits to the famed Gettysburg and Richmond battlegrounds. I look forward as well to obtain further glimpses of our nation’s cherished past as we linger around famed downtown squares in Savannah, Georgia, go museum hopping in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and tour the iconic home base of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. When it’s time to find new places to just cool off and relax from our nation’ latest political crisis, a short stay at beachfront Atlantic City, New Jersey seems to also fit well as a timely slowdown with us on this vacation. I’m moreover hopeful that during our four day stay with family in suburban Maryland near Washington D. C., the nation’s Capitol will also “draw me in” to visit those heroic monuments of Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, and Washington in appreciation of their past service to our country.  

So let the firestorm begin in Miami next week as I just do not desire to be anywhere near there then. For it seems to be a fitting time to divorce myself of the continuing negative “vibes” of this former President and our current governor to feel renewed hope through travel in my country that I so desperately need reason to love.

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

Jet Pack Prompt – 6/7/23

Throughout different stages of my life, my favorite books seemed to guide me as a trusting friend. From growing up in Northeast Ohio and South Florida nurtured by my love of reading at public schools, through my formative years of academic growth at several universities and now embracing the precious moments of “now”in retirement, my books have always been critically important to me. So I recognize that three books stand out for me most in my logical progression through each of these lifetime eras. How gratifying it seems to me in retrospect that each literary work described below somehow chose me in timely fashion when I most needed them to appear.

1. The Cat In The Hat/Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss

My love of reading undoubtedly took hold with my first exposure to the whimsically funny characters, creatively unusual words and fun to speak rhymes of Dr. Seuss from the time I was five years old. For as one example, I can vividly recall walking out of the public library each week in elementary grade years carrying long stacks of these classic picture books with me. How fun reading seemed to be then as I spent so much time with Dr. Seuss in my spare time. 

2. The Tortilla Curtain – T.C. Boyle

My aspirations to teach in an urban educational setting coincided with my burgeoning interest in becoming proficient at reaching those heavy multicultural challenges I faced in South Florida schools and universities. No book I read in those years thus personifies how deeply invested in the diverse student populace I faced than T.C. Boyle’s The Tortilla Curtain. For his engaging plot and characterization graphically exposed the issue of Mexican newcomers struggling to survive in a white dominant area in Southern California facing continual racist attacks concerning their so called inferior status. Such senseless negativism in the mainstream community moved me emotionally to no ends as I learned to refine my language teaching methods as an ESOL professor to advocate positive diversity awareness specific to the different countries I would face each semester.

3. The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield

Since retirement from teaching, my extensive travels have increasingly sensitized me to spiritual ideas rooted in multiple ancient Eastern traditions and New Age spirituality. A common thread of each of these ideologies involves having a strong belief in finding positive energy within oneself in the moment to moment experience of “now.”  So it happens that nowadays I often refer back to my reading of James Redfield’s, The Celestine Prophecy. For when I seek strong guidance as to my life’s purpose, the main character of this novel comes immediately to mind. For here lies a wandering man like myself traveling through distant lands of Peru discovering several insights for living his life more fully when encountering coincidence and other chance encounters in the present moment of travel. In fact, these lessons learned in the Celestine Prophecy inspired me to pursue my present blog theme known as “Snippets of A Traveling Mind.”

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

JetPack Prompt -6/4/23

I suppose there exist animal rights activists who would call my joy in feeding whole peanuts to ground squirrels I affectionally call “Squiggys” on our condo lawn wrong. But the way I see it, these gentle creatures need all the help they can get competing for survival in a hostile natural world. So I seek to obtain their trust each morning as they scurry down tall trees to pluck a tasty peanut thrown nearby or to occasionally grab one from my hand. For I’ve seemed to “even up the score” for the “Squiggys” to fend off those dive bombing blue jays, aggressive ducks, reptilian beasts, and cats on the prowl also  lurking for a snack in these sultry summertime surroundings.

Of course I realize that there’s plenty of responsibility required on my part to keep my squirrel feeding under manageable control. But I relish the simple task of sweeping up the empty peanut shells and poop pellets to keep our common space areas and parking lots clean. Before we leave town on vacation, I enjoy as well reaching out in friendly conversation with neighbors who will provide trustworthy distribution and cleaning up of nuts during our absences.

But I confess that  the greatest joy in feeding “Squiggys” each morning takes place in watching their  tiny paws and teeth open each shell so skillfully. For as they slowly find their way successfully to each awaiting nut, I similarly anticipate making good use of any awaiting opportunities for myself each day. So take a look at one of these resourceful critters for yourself in this short video. Clink on the link or picture icon below.

How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

JetPack Prompt – 6/3/23

At the end of April each year, it begins to rain every afternoon as South Florida’s seasonal climate becomes perpetually muggy. Many local people reference this phenomenon to the beginning of hurricane season requiring them to get  busier keeping up on the latest weather reports or stocking up on needed supplies in the event of a storm. But as for me, I look at the rainy season absent of tourists as the ideal time to slow down and unplug from life’s normal routine.

So I reason that the sensory presence of such constant rainfall stimulates me to be more aware of my present surroundings each day. Such watery sensations might also release my mind from current stress that’s happening to me on a given day. For example, I might stare out my living room window and clear my mind of an upcoming deadline commitment by watching raindrops steadily fall in “pitty pat” fashion.Or I might just turn away  the negative  chatter reported on my electronic devices and simply listen to the approach of a thundering storm. When the rain disappears, there’s also a noticeable cool in the air that often replenishes my mind for awhile. Have a listen to the sights and sounds of summer rain yourself. Just click on the link or tap the picture below.

https://youtu.be/tPAs6YziBxQ

Do you remember life before the internet?

JetPack Prompt – 5/30/23 

So let’s time travel back to Pre- Internet times. For prior to what’s commonly know today as the electronic digital era, I obtained two college degrees without much use of any computers, celebrated love and peace without benefit of glitzy gadgetry, taught middle and high school via paper and pencil and actually read maps to where I needed in travel.The library back then filled my imagination with a vast sea of book shelves inviting me to get lost in my chosen subject of knowledge on a given day. In fact, my most prized possessions seemed to be my World Book Encyclopedia and Yearly Almanac as I actually looked up facts on my own. The daily newspaper always appeared at my front door as well.

As far as human interaction without the Internet, personal letter writing also flourished as I concentrated on forming my cursive letters carefully for those I confided in with my ideas. I did not fear getting hacked by strangers either as I had full control then over who might read what I wrote. Along the street, no personal device was around, so I might pop into a phone booth or drive by someone’s house I knew to contact them as desired.

So you might reason life for me seemed old fashioned without the so named World Wide Web. But I seemed better prepared than many of my peers for the oncoming digital information onslaught with my curious quest to learn on my own and network successfully with others in making key life decisions. How sad it seems then in this present era that so many people are held prisoner by their mobile phones.