RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride

(Photo album links are above right, or, for archived pictures click on the "Places Visited" button above left)
(Blog entires are from the July 1, 2009 entry below up to the most recent entry)
This Page has been archived. Click "Home" button above then "Freedom Ride 20XX" for current adventures.
July 28-31, 2009

We returned to Raleigh for more quality time with our daughter who starts grad school at NC State soon. But now, our sights are set on
camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone, NC. It will be sweet to enjoy some cool weather for a while. Folly will be prepared for
departure tomorrow and then we will enjoy a night or two stay in Wilkesboro, NC at an Army Corp of Engineers Camp before a headin'
up the mountain to the Parkway.

July 13-27, 2009

We packed up and left Camp Matunuck, RI about 9 AM under a clear sky and temperature around 70. Our destination this day was
Gettysburg, PA. The traffic was heavy until many miles into PA, but then a 2 1/2 mile construction zone south of Scranton held us up for
over an hour. We arrived at Camp Gettysburg around 6 PM and did nothing but had dinner and went to bed. The next morning we
headed for Gettysburg National Military Park and arrived at the Visitors Center before 9 AM. Once inside and after poking around a bit,
we picked up a TravelBrains Gettysburg Field Guide and Battlefield Audio Tour, "The Ultimate Guide to the Battle of Gettysburg"... we
found that to be true during our explore of the more than 8000 acres of battlefield set aside for the park and the about 24 miles of road
we traversed over our self-guided tour.

War. I still can't get my mind wrapped around the whole idea. I have been reading quite a bit of history, while traveling on our RV
Freedom Adventure Ride, going back to the early Egyptians, more than 8000 years ago, and have learned that we humans seem to
make war on each other somewhere on Earth about half of the time of our recorded existence. Power, control of the land and masses,
wealth, and religious fundamentalism of one sort or another, individually or in combination, typically seems to be the catalyst. It truly
amazes me that our species has not yet learned to love, forgive, and make peace and get along with one another....even in the face of
millions or perhaps even billions over time being slaughtered or maimed in the name of some cause or agenda. And, of course, any
side in a conflict believes their perceived God at the time is on their side and usually use that reasoning to prepare their armies for a
battle. To the victor goes the spoils!....but, of course, only temporarily as history has shown over and over again.

In any event, the Battle of Gettysburg is another example of the death, waste, destruction, and hate that war leaves in its wake and was
the bloodiest battle ever fought on the North American continent. Rough count: 8000 men dead, 1 civilian woman dead, and 43000
more wounded or captured.....all accomplished in 3 days, July 1, 2, 3, 1863. Thousands more of the wounded died on the battlefield or
shortly after the battle as about the only surgery done at the time was with a saw. We learned that, after the fighting was over, human
limbs surgically removed or blown off in battle were stacked up like cord wood at several locations around Gettysburg and burned or
buried in bulk. Infection within those souls that survived medical treatment was rampant and usually ended in death. Hate, more than
145 years later, still lingers among many of the descendants of the Civil War today.

The North, The Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major General Meade, consisted of 93,000 troops, average age 22, and
356 cannons. The South, The Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of General Robert E. Lee, consisted of 75,000 troops,
average age 19, and 275 cannons. The North prevailed as General Lee had to retreat on July 4 after the devastating blow sustained by
his troops during Pickett's Charge on July 3. Mary Virginia "Jennie" Wade, hit by a stray bullet while baking bread at her sister's home,
was the only woman that was killed during the battle. And, it's interesting to note that Lee's Arlington Home and estate is now the site of
the Arlington National Cemetery where mostly Union dead were buried.

Today, the battlefield is serene and the surrounding countryside beautiful. The historic area of Gettysburg, with many of its 1863
buildings still intact, is an enjoyable place to explore. We spent a full day wandering the battlefield and could have easily spent another.
During the evening, we went on a Ghost Walking Tour and listened to ghost stories and events that occurred before, during, and after
the battle. Bullet holes and even a cannon ball stuck in the front of one building tell their own story. We feel our stay in Gettysburg is a
very meaningful and important chapter of our RV Folly Adventure Freedom Ride.

July 10-12, 2009

The next day, it was back to Newport for a 3 1/2 mile "Cliff Walk". The Cliff Walk is a National Recreation Trail in a National Historic
District that runs along the coast and crosses over 64 private properties along the way. The trail was developed by estate owners
during Newport's Gilded Age, 1890-1920, and was restored with public money 1974-1976. So, today, anyone can take the walk and
enjoy the birds eye views of the beach and ocean that are truly spectacular and catch a glimpse of many of the estates of days gone by.

Also, we passed by the stately Salve Regina University of Newport located there. After the walk we had lunch at Jimmy's Saloon and
retired to Camp Matunuck until we headed out to Wakefield, RI to enjoy some dinner and then some live music and a fireworks display.
At the end of this fun-loving Freedom Adventure Ride day, it was back to rest our tired bones to the sound of the ocean once again.

July 6-9, 2009

We left Camp Hyannis on Cape Cod and headed out for Matunuck, RI under cloudy skies and the temperature hovering around 65. We
drove through several squalls and arrived at Camp Matunuck about 2:00 PM. Even though the camp is right on the ocean, we could
barely see it due to thick fog. But, by evening the wind had kicked up off the ocean, the fog had lifted, and the camp views gloriously
opened up before us while we visited with our hosts, Sandra's Aunt Marge and Marge's main squeeze Carl.

The next morning we headed out for the short drive to Newport, RI. We walked all along the harbor and wharf areas and stopped for
lunch at Obriens Pub. After a leisurely lunch we headed back to beautiful Camp Matunuck where we sat outside and chatted while
watching folks enjoying the beach just west of us next door. After a wonderful supper and several more hours enjoying each others
company and a full moon overhead with its light reflecting on the dancing water, we hit the hay, tired but feeling mellow. I can never get
enough of the soothing sound of the ocean waves crashing on the shore while I slumber. How sweet it is!

July 2-5, 2009

Took a drive over to Plymouth, MA in the early AM under rainy skies and temperature in the 60's. We explored Plymouth Bay, Plymouth
Harbor, and of course stood next to Plymouth Rock. Once parked on Main Street we walked down toward the harbor to Coles Hill where
we came across a huge statue of Massasoit, Great Sachem of the Wampanoags, "protector and preserver of the Pilgrims". And nearby
is a plaque where we learned the Native American Indians gather here to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the U.S
Thanksgiving Day holiday. To these folks, "Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of their people, the theft of their
lands, and the relentless assault on their culture. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism
and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience". Directly across the street from the statue and plaque is what's left of
the original Plymouth Rock where the Pilgrims first set foot on America in 1620.

We walked all around Plymouth Harbor and the wharf. A replica of the Mayflower, the Mayflower II, is docked there and was bustling
with the activities of many groups of kids that came by the bus load to see her. On the north end of the harbor, we headed back up to
Main Street and finally back to our car parked at the other end to complete our circle. Visible history in Plymouth goes way back as
evidenced by the number of houses built in the 1700's and 1800's. It is worth the walk just to see them up close.

We decided to wander around by car a bit and came upon another huge statue perched on the top of a hill in the Pilgrim Memorial
State Park. On each quadrant of the tall standing statue were sitting statues just above the words Education, Liberty, Morality, and Law.
It was interesting to me that the fingers of the law statue were broken off, perhaps a sign that the legal system in our country is broken?
And, in my mind, I was deeply moved to think about what condition our education system is in and to consider lost liberties and loss of
morality since the inception of our great country. Maybe an annual field trip of some kind here on Thanksgiving Day for our government's
representatives and lobbyists and, especially, all the people who live in our society would be a good reminder of what's really important
to human physical, mental, and spiritual development, and, our seemingly, never ending desire to be free? Have the ideas of "The
Forefathers" possibly been forgotten?

July 1, 2009

We went on the Hyannis Whale Watcher adventure departing from Barnstable Harbor at about 11:30 AM under a cloudy sky and cool
temperature. Luckily, we brought along jackets and rain coats because it was about 50 to 55 degrees when we reached the whale's
summer feeding grounds about an hour later. The M/V Whale Watcher is a jet powered ship that travels along at about 32 mph and is
the fastest and most whale-friendly vessel of her kind in the northeast. We cruised by Sandy Neck, a barrier beach island, home to
summer cottages with no water or electric and a solar powered lighthouse at the mouth of Barnstable Harbor. And then, the 25 mile
race beyond Cape Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean was on. We found the whales north of Race Point Beach several miles off the most
northern tip of Cape Cod. Almost all of the many whales we saw were Humpback Whales. What a show to see them round up small
fish and then to see their heads, sometimes two and three working together, coming straight up out of the water, mouths open wide,
taking in their fill of water and fish. Then, they would "drag" along the surface purging the salt water before swallowing the fish. These
gentle giants of the sea are simply incredible to see in person. Howls rang out among the passengers at every sighting. What a great
adventure!