AMEN to canvasback's sentiment.
I had driven past Exit 1 Maryland on Interstate 81 South many times since the mid 1980s, but in April 2008 on my way down to "The Southern SxS" I finally decided to satisfy my curiosity about Antietam/Sharpsburg and Harpers Ferry, and took Exit 1, driving south to Sharpsburg, Maryland (Antietam). Right move Ian!!!
Antietam and the US National Parks Service really opened this "foreigner's" eyes.
The focus of my "retired life" study and visiting immediately changed with that visit. Antietam/Sharpsburg opened a book that has not yet closed...and subsequent chapters led me to Gettysburg, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain, Shiloh, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Bull Run/Manassas, Tredegar Iron Works, Stones River/Murfeesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Corinth, Iuka, Mill Springs, Camp Nelson, and Perryville. Driving down to "The Southern SxS" in April 2016 on I-95 South I chanced to see a "new-to-me" sign for the battle at Bentonville North Carolina and side-tracked there for two hours. Mill Springs, Perryville, and Bentonville are state parks,and have not received the funding or attention levels of the federal National Military Parks.
Being retired and driving solo gives me the opportunity to "detour" on a whim - and I do.
Three visits to Gettysburg, and two visits to Chickamauga have REALLY made me appreciate the professionalism of the Park Rangers at those National Military Parks. Which has also led me to appreciate the insight and interpretation of Matt Atkinson's (Park Ranger) Gettysburg guided tours on youtube - after having actually walked and climbed those Gettysburg sites.
Tempus fugit - no matter the interest or subject, just DO IT....... while you can.
Last edited by Ian Nixon; 01/26/17 01:51 AM. Reason: Speling Korrection.
