Monday, August 4, 2008











Hi everybody....Did you miss me?
I had probably the most moving vacation of my life this past week-end.
After getting my boring work related BS over with, I had a few days of 'down time'.
One of the G-Mans favorite things to do in this country, is to visit historical sites. Preferably Civil War battle sites. The most powerful and moving place anyone can go to is Gettysburg Pa. That is definately hollowed ground. That is where the union of the United States was preserved in blood. But thats a different story.....
I've been to Harpers Ferry, where the seeds of impending bloodshed were first planted...
I've been to Mannasas (Bull Run) where the first major battle of the Civil War was fought..
I've been to Antietam, where more Americans were killed in one day than in any battle in ANY war, EVER!!!!!!!
But I had never gone to where the slaughter finally ended , and peace returned in America.
Appomattox Virginia.
After a beautiful and breathtaking drive through the Virginia countryside, Appomattox is hardly a tourist trap. It is quaint, lovely, and very interesting. It cost 8 bucks to get in, and there are a few Rangers giving Historical presentations, but like everything in the US Park Service these days, they are strapped for cash. So this was mostly a self-guided tour.
The actual Treaty was signed at a place called The McLean House, here's a pic of the inside and outside. A little further up the path was a house that had been historicaly preserved, there appeared to be a young man giving a dramatic and and touching account of his plight and role during the War. When his presentation was over several people approached him and asked him a few questions, he answered them but seemed a bit perplexed by several questions, he never came out of character...NOT ONCE!! After walking to the next site I glanced back toward the porch where he had been standing, and he was gone....
I asked a Ranger when the young man would be giving his next performance, and he said " What Performance?..We can't afford performers, we only have Ranger Guided lectures. And what young man are you speaking of ?"....Hmmmmmmmmmm
Anyway, This particular week-end was like the frosting on the cake for me and my little hobby.
This was just a harbinger of what my retirement will be like in a short few years...Doing what brings me serenity. Doing what I like doing for fun. Doing what gives me peace and joy. I never much thought about retirement up till now, but it is looking more and more appealing with each passing day.
One final thought about Appomattox....The entire time I was there, a soulful refrain kept repeating itself over and over and over again again in my brain.....
.
"The night they drove Old Dixie down, all the bells were ringing..
The night they drove Old Dixie down, all the people were singing....
Na na na na na na na...Na na na nun na na na naaaa........"
.
Peace....?
.
Mojo.....I'll address your award later this week....Thanks

13 comments:

lime said...

oh gman, that's wonderful. i'm so glad you had this opportunity. i so appreciate you sharing it with us. we all know you're the life of the party and mr. knowitall and all around tough biker dude, but it's really a treat to see this side of you too and to be reminded of such a significant historical event. thanks for taking us along for this ride.

Akelamalu said...

I love visiting historical sites too. How eerie about the man giving the 'performance'. I bet the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end didn't they?

Mona said...

Of course we missed you! & I rang up just now to answer that question & got voice mail telling me that you are still out!

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time out!

(((HUGS))) welcome back!

Ed & Jeanne said...

Now if they only had tazers-only back then...

Serena said...

I love historical sites, too; have toured Appomattox a couple of times. Your pictures of McLean House and some of the other buildings are great. Of course, I'd probably have been bugging the rangers about whether the furnishings were authentic or reproduction, who painted the portraits, yada-yada. They'd probably turn me over to the disappearing soldier.:) Sounds like you had a lovely time -- which is the whole point of a vacation. Good for you!

G-Man said...

Hey Missy..
Thats good to know, and I'd sure remember to take my Merle Haggard CD ..hahaha...Thanks

Lime..
I remembered your post last year about Gettysburg, and that sort of inspired this...Thanks Trini :-)

AKE!!!!!!
Hi there, Back from Holiday!!!
Yay!!!
Missed your 55's
See ya Friday...G

MONA!!!!
I saw that # on my phone, and I thought it had a lot of number's!
Thanks for the thought, that was soooo sweet!!!

VE..?
You have a wonderfully weird streak in you..Hahaha

Sherry...!!!
You know, I can actually hear you in my head asking Mr. Ranger those questions..Hahahahahaha
I bet you could even ask the 'ghost' soldier a question that could stump him!!
I had A GREAT time at Appomattox, the scenery was AWESOME!!!!
Thanks ...xobgxo

G-Man said...

Hi everybody...
I just got home from work and I'm too tired to post tonight. Thank You all for the welcome back, and I'll be back tomorrow night..G
xox

barman said...

Glad you had a good time. That sounds like an incredible thing to do. I know as I get older things on that order are more and more significant to me. I hate to see the history of something just go away. To have it preserved for the ages like was done here is super.

Glad you are back. It just is not right where you are missing. Have a great day G.

barman said...

Glad you had a good time. That sounds like an incredible thing to do. I know as I get older things on that order are more and more significant to me. I hate to see the history of something just go away. To have it preserved for the ages like was done here is super.

Glad you are back. It just is not right where you are missing. Have a great day G.

Queenie said...

'Jebus', cold shivers ran down my back as I read this. Of course I missed you, so glad you had some down time...

G-Man said...

Thanks Bryan...
I had the time of my life.

Queenie...
Awww Thanks...
You always make my day...G

Breazy said...

Oh that is a great story about the man you were asking questions, something you can tell you grandkids one day!

I am glad to hear you had some down time to explore a bit. Did you come through Tennessee at all because I thought you said that you were coming to Tenn.?

Have a good day! :)

javajazz said...

so thats kinda cool.
you should leave home
more often...
no, really...