Living History Season Begins

Spring is here and all my living history friends have been anxious to pack up their tents and other odd accoutrements and meet somewhere historical for a taste of life past. My chosen era is the French and Indian War which is the North American portion of the global Seven Years War. 

One war tends to lead to other wars in the 18th century. The War of Austrian Succession was the precursor to the Seven Years War and was a conflict to determine who would inherit the Habsburg monarchy. It seems to have been the practice for monarchs to marry off sons and daughters to establish alliances with other countries. Consequently, when a monarch passed without heirs there were any number of near relatives from many countries that wanted to claim their right and were willing to fight for it. Wouldn't it have been easier if they'd been allowed to marry for love? 

Anyway, the War of Austrian Succession ended in 1748 leaving many issues unresolved. Britain, France, and Spain were still arguing about their colonies in North America and the Caribbean. In Europe there were territorial disputes between Austria, Germany and Prussia. Needless to say the Seven Years War was actually the first World War for all accounts. Battles were fought on the North American continent, Caribbean islands, and in Europe. 

After a few centuries of colonization, Britain had established colonies mainly on the eastern coast, east of the Appalachian mountains. Conditions were getting crowded and some adventurers looked westward and saw the land of opportunity. The problem was that the French already considered that area to be under their control. The French had not colonized this area with many permanent settlements but used this large area for trading purposes. They had established settlements in the north (Canada) but primarily were content for the hunters and trappers as well as Native Americans to supply furs and other trade items obtained from this area to France. 

The noted beginning of the French and Indian War in North America actually was started by none other than George Washington. Then an inexperienced 22 year old serving in the British Army, he and native allies of the British ambushed a French diplomatic party. The previous "disagreement" turned into all out war after this lasting until the Treaty of Paris in 1763. France lost the war and with it they lost most of the lands they had claimed. 

Admittedly, this is a greatly oversimplified view and may not stand up to serious fact checking. My purpose is only to peak your interest and not supply you with details that must be footnoted. The history is really very interesting and I encourage readers to find out more. Most historians will say that the War for Independence may not have been fought if it were not for the French and Indian War. 

The local state park near my home, Fort Massac, was the last French fort built in North America. Although it saw no conflicts during the war it has an interesting history and is the reason that the local group of reenactors of which I belong portray French military, allies, camp followers, and habitants (locals). We get together monthly at the park to demonstrate various things about life during the mid 18th century when the Fort was built. We also love to travel to other sites with history dating to the French and Indian War to camp and interpret our roles to the public. 

We recently returned from Fort Toulouse National Historic Park in Alabama. This was the first camping event we had participated in this year. While this is a small event it was a lot of fun. The park has replica French and American forts, Mississippian Indian mounds, a small gift shop/visitor center, hiking trails, river access and a campground. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm but breezy enough to be comfortable. It takes quite a bit of time, effort and expense to participate in events such as this but the rewards are worth it to me. 

The location for the event is about as far as I would be willing to travel as it took us a full day to get there counting stops along the way. Arriving later in the afternoon we had enough time to set up our camp and head to town for dinner. We had also allowed ourselves an extra day before the event started to check out the park and scour any local antique stores for bargains. Several of us came away with some good deals on items we could add to our living history "kit". 

Fort Toulouse has a much larger event in early November known as Frontier Days, but this one was perfect for getting used to our gear again after being stored away for the winter and catching up with some fellow reenactors we see only at events. The French Fort is inhabited during the event by demonstrators of various skills and occupations and is the site of cannon and firearm demonstrations. There is also a Native village just outside the Fort where those portraying Natives camp. Sitting around a campfire at night, sharing stories, cooking over a fire, taking walks on the grounds and in the park, taking pictures and learning history are activities I love. I am so glad to have become a part of this group of people that seem to love all the same things as I do. We were even treated by the Alabama Dutch Oven Society with a Dutch Oven Gathering (DOG) of delicious foods.  

 

We were sad for the event to end on Sunday and began our packing up. Because of the long drive we were allowed to stay in the barracks in the Fort on Sunday night to get an early start driving home the next day. I had not stayed in historic barracks on a rope bed with a straw tick mattress before. I have to say it was a little dark and damp and we laughed as we went to bed about all the dangers we might encounter in the night. But we slept well enough and were up early to start the long ride home (with a few additional antique shop stops) and planning of our next living history adventure. 

Time Flies ...

Where has the time gone? I looked back and realized I haven't written anything since late May. I can't believe how busy and also how sedentary I can be in retirement. Since May I've been working in my herb garden, planning a demonstration for my living history activities, visiting my sister in Reno, playing with my grandchildren, golfing, photographing, and I continue to walk 3 miles most days. 

Grandkids enjoying the pool

My visit to Reno was so much fun. The weather was great and I got to spend quality time with my sister and her husband. They are both retired and have recently moved and are still trying to settle in. So far they have done a great job of reducing the clutter in their life and creating a homey space for themselves and their family. We took a few days hiking in the nearby area. Our first trip was to Galena Creek Regional Park just outside of Reno. We hiked through scenic woods on the Jones Creek Loop trail. There was enough ups and downs along with the higher altitude that it didn't take me long to get a little winded. 

Galena Creek hike

Some days later we drove toward California. We stopped at the small town of Truckee and wandered the streets where our curiosity led us into many interesting shops and museums. This venture was followed by the search for a short hike nearby. After one failed attempt we ended up at Donner Memorial State Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for a hike. The park has camping, picnicking and a very large lake now known as Donner Lake, named after the ill-fated Donner party. We embarked on the Split Rock Loop trail which took us through the woods and to a smaller, very scenic lake called Michel's Pond. On return to our car it was past lunch time so we headed towards Lake Tahoe. We stopped at nearby King's Beach and found some tasty pizza by the lake. There were a lot of people enjoying the water of Lake Tahoe, sunning on the beach or cruising in their boat. It was a delightful day to be at the beach. I will definitely keep Lake Tahoe on my list for further exploration when I have the opportunity since one day was not nearly enough. We also explored the city of Reno a little, did some shopping, ate out a few times but mostly the trip was aimed at having time with family. And family time was the most enjoyable of all. From playing games with my great nephew to family cookouts to talks long into the night about times past, I could not have had a better visit. 

My sister & brother-in-law at Michel's Pond

Michel's pond

Once I returned home I quickly resumed my summer routine which centers a great deal around the grandchildren. Junior golf requires several of us to chaperone the kids around the golf course. This is usually followed by time in the pool. My oldest granddaughter is also playing on a Junior PGA league this year so that is extra time golfing with her. Throw in some cookouts and shopping expeditions and the days pass quickly. 

In addition to all the joy of time spent with the grandkids,  I have been working at developing a display of my herbs as medicines for my reenacting events. I have dabbled at this in the past but my attention runs from one thing to another and the idea had gotten lost a few years back while I was pursuing other things. My current motivation to resume my herbal work came when I was gifted a simple wooden box that I thought would make a suitable container for my bottles of herbs. A quick search at home brought forth the bottles and other items I had been saving just for this. It is such a peaceful pastime for me to pick and hang herbs to dry or bottle the dried herbs that I wonder I get anything else accomplished. In fact, today my beeswax beads arrived and I'm itching to make some ointments with herbal oils. I've also written up an informational sheet on the herbs that I have plus a few others that were readily available in the 18th century along with their historic uses. Hopefully this weekend will remain dry and I can spread out all my "simples" and find a willing listener. I'll try to elaborate more on this in a future post. 

There are other times where I just don't do a lot at all. It hasn't taken me long to relearn how to relax and do nothing. Having an afternoon just walking through the park with my camera or reading a book is activity enough some days. It's so easy to put things off for tomorrow when you don't have work obligations taking up so much of your time. Still, I had a lot of things I wanted to accomplish so now and then I have to make myself a list to get back on track and keep from being overly idle. 

Time and summer hasten by. The days are getting shorter now but are still plenty long for so many summer activities. Now is the season of festivals and fairs. I have no upcoming travel plans so any trips taken must be local and spur-of-the-moment. Thankfully, I can do spur-of-the moment now. When the weather begins to cool I expect I will want to be back camping and hiking, attending living history events and enjoying the retired life. Since I left work I have not looked back nor regretted the decision to retire one time. My work friends are now just friends that I cherish and keep in touch with in other ways. With each day I will continue to live the dream!

Donner Lake

Lake Tahoe

Me at Lake Tahoe

Me in Truckee

Truckee, California

Wildflowers at Galena Creek

More wildflowers at Galena Creek

Kentucky's Red River Gorge

We have just returned from Red River Gorge in east-central Kentucky located just south of Lexington.  I can't recall how this wonderful park first came to my attention but I'm so happy that it did. Last year I had no idea such a beautiful, unique place existed so close to home.

Red River Gorge sits within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The area has been designated as a National Natural landmark mostly due to the over 150 natural sandstone arches scattered throughout the park. This is the only area east of the Rocky Mountains that has as many natural arches.

Rock climbers flock to the Red River Gorge to climb the numerous sandstone cliffs, many over 200 foot high. I have never tried this type of activity but I can certainly understand the appeal. The website boasts that this is a world renowned area for climbers. Not having any practical experience in this area I will share the website for anyone that may have an interest to explore this further.  Visit Red River Gorge Kentucky | Red River Gorge

As you may recall, some of my interests are hiking and photography. I was certainly pleased with the opportunities available at Red River Gorge for these activities. I had only enough time to stir up my interest so hopefully a longer visit can be planned sometime soon. 

Many of the trails in the park are short and fairly easy hikes leading to a notable feature such as an arch, bluff, waterfall or overlook so there is something for any skill level. There are also some backcountry camping opportunities for backpackers. In fact the Sheltowee Trace winds through the park providing a long distance through-hike of 319 miles. There are longer day hikes with varying levels of danger and ability for those that seek more adventurous paths. On my recent brief trip I managed only a few of the shorter hikes and I'm looking forward to returning for a taste of the more adventurous ones soon. 

In addition to hiking, many people enjoy fishing and kayaking the rivers and streams that meander throughout the park. My grandson had to try his hand at fishing in the stream that flowed through the campground. He wasn't the only one enjoying this activity. We were camped at Middle Fork campground in Natural Bridge State Resort Park where the waters are stocked with 3000 trout in March, April, May and October each year. Besides the Red River and it's tributaries there are lakes nearby that offer additional opportunities for fishing. 

Kayaking sounded like a fun activity for the grandkids so we booked an underground kayaking excursion through The Gorge Underground (The Gorge Underground - The Coolest Place in the Gorge! Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge Kentucky). This adventure took us to an underground limestone mine that had flooded. We were given basic instructions in paddling along with a helmet, headlight and life jacket then settled into our kayaks for an hour long tour through the mine. The guides were fun and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It stays cool in the mine at 52 degrees so dress appropriately and consider gloves - my hands got very cold! I didn't take my camera or phone with me but I'll share a photo I found online. 

I noticed there was also ziplining available in the park but my youngest granddaughter was too small so we didn't follow up on that. We did take the skylift up to the largest natural arch which was fun. The lift dropped us off near the top of the arch and by walking across you could walk down to the base of the arch where I took the picture at the top of the page. There are many trails nearby leading to overlooks looking out over this beautiful country. Other trails descended back to the parking lot, wandering through the forest which was full of spring wildflowers. 

We love to camp and there are several great campgrounds in the state park and other public campgrounds nearby. Most camp sites in the park included electricity and water and the campgrounds are located near trails and streams. There are other options available for overnight or longer stays. I noted cabins for rent and there were some small motels and the Red River Lodge. On the website there were also treehouses advertised to rent. 

There are not a lot of restaurants within the park and we didn't explore nearby cities having planned to cookout in the campground most of the time. We did visit the Lodge for dinner and it was very good with all-you-can-eat fish or shrimp options the night we were there as well as other taste tempting options. Miguel's Pizza was another popular spot as there was a line out the door whenever we drove by. I learned this was the place for hungry climbers to visit and a primitive campground mostly for climbers is nearby. A Mexican restaurant usually does not disappoint and La Cabana was certainly busy. We were too hungry to wait for a table and missed out this trip. 

I can't write about an area without including something historical. We did take a drive through the Nada tunnel, a 900 foot long, 12 foot wide, 13 foot high logging tunnel built between 1910 and 1912. This tunnel is frequently referred to as the "Gateway to Red River Gorge." We traveled through this one lane tunnel and found a one mile trail to a suspension bridge across the Red River and historic Gladie Center.  The Gladie Visitor Center was closed and seemed to have been closed for sometime. The website says it is temporarily closed due to Covid. We were able to walk around the grounds and could tell this could be an interesting stop once reopened. It contained an authentic log home and barn full of period farm machinery. Signage told the story of those that had lived there. 

(forgot to take a picture so this is borrowed from the internet)

Living in southern Illinois amidst the Shawnee National Forest and having made frequent trips to the Smoky Mountains I thought this area was a great mix of both regions. With higher elevations than found in southern Illinois and many water features it had an amazing resemblance to the Smoky Mountains. As we hiked through the woods the trails were lined with rhododendron which hinted at how beautiful this area would soon be when these beauties were blooming. While this area shared many features of the Smoky Mountains, the rocky bluffs, deciduous forest and spring wildflowers had the familiarity of home and like the Shawnee Forest there thankfully was a lack of crowds and commercialism. But the natural sandstone arches make this region unique in it's own right and well worth a visit. I hope this will encourage you to explore this treasure or visit a local treasure wherever you may live. Sometimes the best places are right in your own backyard. 

my daughter and grandkids

Hidden Arch

Mining for gems

 

on the suspension bridge

on the sky lift

Catching Up

 

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." Walt Disney

Hello again from the almost retired. Apologies if anyone missed reading my ramblings but last year dragged on entirely too long. Just as we all thought we were conquering Covid it reared it's ugly head again. My brain could just not invent anything fun to write about. As 2020 dragged on the outlook for fun and entertainment was bleak. Even Christmas seemed to have less sparkle than previous years. Now we have started a New Year and I am trying to build up my enthusiasm. 

Since last I wrote I blew right past another birthday. We spent a month camping off and on at our nearby state park in October. Our daughter's family camped some also and we managed more than a little fun. I finally loaded my pack and went backpacking. I think I had been wondering if I would enjoy it as I had years ago. Thankfully I did and now I'm eager to follow this up with more backpacking adventures. My husband and I have been working at the new grandparent role of overseeing remote learning. That's been interesting to say the least. I continued to feed my sourdough starter and explore various recipes for it's use. I also spent a wonderful weekend with my living history friends camping and and cooking out in the fall. 

I have to say that overall we managed far better than a lot of people during this time. We have managed to be able to stay close to our family and avoid illness at home. It's one of those times I've been thankful for living in a small, rural town close to nowhere. 

Last year had so many differences from all years prior. Most notable was the feeling of unfulfilled dreams. The year did leave me with a lot of time for thinking, planning, researching, etc. My husband and I talked a lot about retirement plans. It boils down to this: I don't have so many years left that I want to continue to waste another year doing mostly nothing. While I've always dreamed of retiring to travel to other countries, I am eager now to head out and explore everything there is to see here in the USA. And then there's the simple things I want to enjoy such as figuring out how to sleep late, learning a new language, working with my herb garden, spending time with my family, reading a good book, or just walking in the woods. So I have once again turned in my notice to retire effective late March. This time there were no questions or doubts in my mind about it and IT WILL HAPPEN! 

For now I am focusing on getting in a little better shape. I started the Noom program for weight loss and have to say it is going better than I expected. I have been walking around my neighborhood or at the park 2-3 miles almost every day. Rain or cold has not stopped me and I miss it now if I don't have time to walk. (Work really gets in the way with these short winter days.) I had been learning Gaelic but couldn't think of anytime I'd ever use it and recently switched to Spanish. I've done a (very) little bit of clearing out clutter but I have big plans to get moving on that project this spring. And I pulled my camera out of the closet in hopes to improve my very basic photography skills. Most of all I'm counting the days until I say goodbye to my coworkers and clean out my desk. 

So I hope any readers will hang out a little longer and see what kind of misadventure I can get into when I finally begin retirement. 

Shawnee National Forest - A local treasure

Spring weather can be a beautiful time to get outdoors and visit natural areas near to home. I'm lucky to live in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. 

Growing up in this area the Shawnee Forest has always been there, a part of my life. As a child and young adult I spent many days camping, hiking, horseback riding and riding ATVs in the woods of southern Illinois. When I was younger I noticed the beauty of the place but I think I failed to fully appreciate it. As I got older and busier with kids and work I had less and less time for adventures in the woods. I took my kids when they were younger but they reached that age where trips with Mom weren't the most desired and friends won out. At least I instilled a love of nature in them while they were young that seems to have continued to this day. Then I was busy with work and returning to school for an advanced degree. My interests evolved into other activities and I rarely camped, hiked or visited the Shawnee Forest. Thankfully my daughter is now trying to teach her children the joys of nature and I've been drawn back into it. Now I'm rediscovering my love of the outdoors and time spent in nature. 

A few weeks ago I went with my daughter and her kids to Rim Rock Trail in Southern Illinois just east of Garden of the Gods. There is a shorter loop hike that returns you back to the trail head or you can go further and hike to Pounds Hollow Lake which is the trail that we took. I can't believe in all the years I've lived in this area that I have never been to either of these two places before. 

The shorter loop hike is 0.8 miles and paved. This hike is less strenuous but includes remnants of a stone wall built by prehistoric natives, an observation deck and some interpretive signs. A small picnic area and pit toilets are located near the parking lot at the beginning of the trail. 

At the observation deck you can choose to descend stairs to the lower trail that leads to Pounds Hollow lake. On descending the stairs you weave through the rocks like a "fat mans squeeze" until you reach the lower trail. This trail is unpaved and wanders along the base of the bluffs for over a half mile. On the way to the lake you will see Ox Lot Cave. An interpretive sign indicates this is where 19th century loggers kept their horses and oxen but I'm sure it was used for shelter by people for many years prior to that. 

The trail continues and gradually leaves the bluffs and meanders along the lakeside. The trail eventually opens out into the Pounds Hollow recreational area. There is a designated swimming area roped off with a sandy beach and a dock. This area can also be reached easily by the road with a parking lot up a flight of stairs from the beach. Just above the beach is a covered picnic area and toilets. All toilet facilities were closed when we visited due to Covid-19. 

The hike from Rim Rock trail head to Pounds Hollow lake and back was about 3 miles. On our return we took an alternate trail that wound around the other side of the rocky bluffs before returning to the parking lot. The scenery is beautiful and the hiking has moderate elevation changes and some steps. There are small streams with bridges to cross over and cliff overhangs to explore if you dare. 

If you're interested in directions or more information about Rim Rock Trail you can view the USDA trail information here:  

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawnee/recarea/?recid=10691  

Or Shawnee Forest has hundreds of other beautiful trails throughout southern Illinois offering both day hiking and backpacking adventures. Paper trail maps are available at Ranger stations which are now closed. I ordered mine by downloading the order form from this website: 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/shawnee/maps-pubs. Alternative apps for smartphones are also available with trail maps and information. 

Last week it was back to the trails for more time in nature. This time I went with a friend and our cameras. I was trying to figure out settings on my camera while enjoying the day with a great friend in a beautiful setting. We chose to hike at Fern Cliff State Park which is also part of Shawnee National Forest. There are many hiking trails to choose from with plenty of scenic interest including bluffs, waterfalls and lakes. It was a fun day and I got some good photography practice. Hiking ended with a picnic lunch lakeside before returning home. 

Fern Cliff is a beautiful state park near Goreville, Illinois that includes a campground and several picnic areas. Available activities include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, hunting and fishing.  Reservations for the campground like all Illinois state park campgrounds can be made through the Reserve America website. Additional information is available on their website https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/FerneClyffe.aspx. 

Please remember to be safe in your hiking adventure. Due to the remoteness of many of these locations rescue is not always quick. Every year I read of persons falling off cliffs or getting lost and just this morning I read of a car overturned on one of these remote roads. Aside from this are other risks from weather, wildlife, plants, etc. I don't write this to scare anyone away from all that Shawnee Forest has to offer but to advise that with proper planning and preparation you can make unforgettable memories with your family or friends. 

"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul."

John Muir

Crazy times call for crazy decisions

What a crazy time we are living in right now. Never could I have imagined in our age of modern medicine that our world could be shut down by a virus. This situation has caused many people to take a look around them at what is important, what is essential and what they can do without. Three months ago few people thought twice about where their food came from or worried about availability. America is the land of plenty after all. Now people are stockpiling food and essentials like the best doomsday prepper. What next? I pray for a quick resolution and lives to be spared. Until then America WAKE UP and follow recommendations. Please maintain safe distancing as directed (still don't like the term "social distancing"). 

It's hard to follow recommendations when the spring weather is calling all of us to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Nothing says we can't do these things but we have to be careful in order to stop the spread of the virus. A simple thing would be to just open your windows and let fresh air and sunshine in your home. Take a walk staying away from public areas and anyplace large numbers are likely to still congregate. Clean off your porch or patio and sit outside reading a book, writing letters, cooking out or starting a container garden. In the spring there are plenty of rainy days. Use that time to clear out the clutter in your house or try new recipes. Focus on a healthier lifestyle. 

I have changed all my short term plans for retirement because of this virus and the situation it has created. Number one of which is ... I'm not. Retiring that is. With the economy in a slump, stocks dropped, no travel possible, etc I decided to continue working but I will be cutting my hours in half. It was such a big decision to retire and now at the end I'm backing out. Today was to have been my last day of work and I have been ambivalent about whether I'm making the right decision. I believe it's the right choice for me now though. Plenty of people retire only to find another part time job to help with expenses or other reasons. To me it just made more sense to keep the job I already know but reduce the hours. So in actuality I'm not fully retiring but I'm also not fully working either. This is the bright side for me. 

I will now have more time at home than at work to enjoy the things I've been planning to do. Confined to our home I have been doing my usual online research and shopping. I'm planning my garden and researching hiking and backpacking. These seem to be safe activities that I could enjoy right now. I'm researching how to be more historically accurate in my living history passion and updating my kits and clothing for this. I will eventually be able to participate in this activity again and hopefully will be better informed and prepared. I've gotten out most days to walk the dogs or take a short hike. Travel plans? Well, that's still up in the air or better stated - I'm still grounded. But planning the adventure is part of having the best experience. The time will come when we can fly the friendly skies again and I'll be ready to go. 

The other positive about not fully retiring at the present is that I will ease into living on less income than I'm used to. With my salary cut in half I will have to make adjustments same as if I were living on my planned retirement income. By the time I take down my shingle for good I will hopefully have a more accurate idea of what my minimum monthly budget will be. I've already been thinking longer and harder before making even simple purchases. Planning meals and shopping lists is the new normal also and one that should allow some savings each month.  

I'm not sure at this time how much longer I will be working. My financial adviser asked me this very question. My only response - time will tell. First will be adapting to a new budget and work schedule. If it fits then this part time option may continue for awhile. But I don't plan on work holding me back from all that I want to enjoy with my family and friends. If it is then it will be time. For now I will be embracing the change and I continue to look forward to the future. None of us can ever know what is in store for us around the corner. 

Stay healthy, stay safe and make wise choices. 

Hiking with family in Shawnee National Forest

Social distancing? - I don't think so!

We are all experiencing new and different times. For those of you like me who are on the verge of retiring it has certainly raised a lot of additional questions that others aren't thinking about. The markets have not been stable and travel plans are cancelled or postponed. I question if I should delay my retirement. Working in the healthcare field I wonder if I will be needed to care for patients or should I consider myself "high risk" and avoid work at this time? 

In my immediate area there are no documented cases of Covid-19 but it is getting nearer. Per the news media you cannot always tell if somebody is infected and contagious. It's a scary world out there right now. Still, I don't think mass panic and hoarding toilet paper is a good solution. The virus will spread across the country and affect a large number of the population. We can limit our risk by limiting contact with others as instructed. That being said I've been reevaluating and working on my immediate retirement goals. 

Cleaning out closets and reducing clutter, learning a language with Duolingo, catching up on scrapbooks, trying new recipes, working on my living history kit, reading, making soap, researching travel ideas and fine tuning my bucket list - all these things and more can be done at home. Nobody has said I have to be confined inside my home so I can go outside and garden, take a walk, enjoy the pool or other similar activities. Not all public areas are closed off to hiking and hopefully will remain open. Living in a rural area it seems easier to comply with "social distancing" while still being able to go outside my home. And there is always the internet which allows us to stay connected with friends and family instead of being totally isolated. 

So, with my glass still half full instead of half empty, I will be retiring as planned. I've talked with my retirement adviser and while there are never 100% assurances I am trusting that everything will work out. Ultimately it reverts back to my retirement priorities which are having quality time with family and having time to pursue all the things I love to do. So really, nothing has changed other than travel plans and there will be time for that too, just not now. 

Life is still wonderful. Say a prayer for those who are ill and look for opportunities to do something you wouldn't normally think of doing in our highly mobile, social world. You may find a new hobby or interest or find time to write a letter, connect with distant family or just learn to relax and be still in the moment. I really feel that they have mislabeled "social distancing" as we do not have to give up on being social with so many avenues to reach out to others without physical contact. It should be more appropriately termed "physical distancing" as that is really what is required. 

Take care, stay safe and consider the mandated "social distancing" as a gift instead of a curse. 

History Nerd

I learned to love history when I was in college. It was required to take at the college I attended. I had transferred in and was catching up on basic requirements so I took two different American history classes the same semester. I had two wonderful instructors that knew how to get your attention and keep it. In addition to dates, places and important events they taught social history. We explored how people lived and why new developments were important. I can even remember having to clean a raw cotton boll to demonstrate the importance of the cotton gin! It opened a whole new world to me but it took years to evolve into my passion of reenacting. 

In my hometown there was an annual reenactment that was a big event and I never missed attending. As years went by I joined a group that served as vendors during the event and began dressing in my interpretation of period clothes. Then, a casual friend offered to take me to participate in an event as a reenactor. She got me hooked and became one of my dearest friends in the process. How could anyone sleeping on the ground under a tarp in the rain with no shower and only portable toilets have so much fun? Following this I inquired about joining the local reenactment group which portrays a French military unit of the French and Indian War also known as the Seven Years War. I have evolved from sleeping on the ground under a shelter to a cot and tent but the best part is that I have made so many more great friends with this same passion. I hope I can continue to enjoy this hobby for many years and will be sharing my adventures into living history with readers here. 

          

Then

... and now

Last weekend a small group of us went to the Seven Years War Conference. This is an annual educational and business meeting for members. I chose the option of learning about 18th century quill making, writing and paper making. Our instructor was so knowledgeable and I left wishing I had more time to pick her brain. The weekend also included a dinner and dance in period clothing. It was a fun weekend and the location at Spring Mill State Park in Indiana was beautiful. I'm wanting to go back sometime with my husband to camp and check out all the other great things the park has to offer. 


              











Spring Mill State Park is in southern Indiana not too far from Paoli Peaks and French Lick. One of the main features of the park is the Pioneer Village which contains a water-powered grist mill built in 1817. Besides the mill there are 20 log cabins set up as homes and places of business. The log buildings were restored mostly in the 1920s and 1930s by the CCC. In the summer they have various interpreters staffing the shops as merchant, apothecary, carpenter, etc. Unfortunately it was closed for the season during our visit but definitely worth a trip back to see. 

The park itself is beautiful and has many natural features to explore. One area known as Donaldson's Woods has native trees more than 300 years old. There are short hiking trails, mountain bike trails, a lake and caves. Accommodations include a campground with or without electricity and shower houses with flush toilets or the inn which is open all year and has a delicious dining hall and rooms available for events. If more modern history is your thing there is the Grissom Memorial which honors Virgil "Gus" Grissom and houses the Gemini III capsule and spacesuit. Grissom was an early pioneer of the space program and local hero raised in nearby Mitchell, Indiana. They also have an Olympic size swimming pool with pool house in the park and indoor pool at the Inn. If you're near the area I encourage you to visit the park for a day or stay the weekend.