Today was not the most exciting of days. I think it’s starting to sink in just how much driving I’ve committed myself to this summer, and I’m tired just thinking about it. I’m not sure how I am going to drive all the way from Florida to Texas to Oregon. Luckily, I just discovered a bunch of new podcasts that seem awesome, so that is something to occupy the time. I think my new favorite is called “My Dad Wrote a Porno.” It is exactly what it sounds like; this guy’s dad wrote an erotic novel, and this guy and his friends read it out loud on the podcast and provide a commentary. I was literally laughing out loud today. Definitely makes the drive go by quicker!
I started off my morning at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. It was a typical battlefield site- a long road that winds through the woods with lots of people walking, running, and riding bikes. That is a common trend at these battlefields, and it always feels a little strange to me. The museum had lots of artifacts from the battle, which was impressive. I thought this drum was especially cool.
I learned that Nathaniel Greene lost this battle when it sounds like he really should have won it. The Patriots outnumbered the Loyalists by quite a bit. But Nathaniel Greene disbursed them and so, in each situation, the Patriots ended up being outnumbered. From what I read, it sounded like Nathaniel Greene had many other failures in his future and not many successes, and I am curious why he is considered to be one of the great heroes of the Revolutionary War. But pretty much all I know about him is from visiting national parks sites so there’s probably a lot more to the story!
I had almost a 6 hour drive to Beaufort, South Carolina to see Reconstruction Era National Historic Site. This is a new park site, so there is not much to see.
The website refers you to a local museum. I might go to the museum in the morning, but the more likely scenario is that I will get an early start visiting other sites tomorrow. I did enjoy Beaufort this afternoon. Super cute downtown right on the water. I love all the Spanish moss dripping from the trees down here. But I definitely don’t feel at home here the way I did in New York City or the Midwest. Tonight I sat at a restaurant having dinner and listened to a group of good ole southern boys drinking and talking about sports and work and their wives and all I could think was, these are the people who vote for Mitch McConnell and Roy Moore. I also passed this sign on my way to Beaufort, which is pretty disturbing.
I mean yes, I’m sure General Sherman wasn’t exactly polite on his rampage through the south, but I think it’s time to move past it. I can’t imagine how it would feel to be an African American living nearby and seeing this sign that basically says, “we think slavery should still be a thing.” So anyway, the South is pretty but I am out of place here. I’m looking forward to seeing Savannah tomorrow and then seeing my family in Florida this weekend.
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