National Park Unit #364, Reconstruction Era National Historic Park /  by Dave Hileman

Unexpectedly, I now have 364 parks completed. I did not realize that the Reconstruction Era park was open on the Sea Islands near Beaufort, SC. The park has three components, a downtown visitor center in an old fire station, the heart of the park, an educational facility in a complex called Penn School and a church built by enslaved people and after 1861 it is where they worshiped and learned. Reconstruction was an uneven process at best but here it worked as well as anywhere. The area was captured by the North early in the war and all the plantation owners had fled leaving the enslaved population and many more who fled to this community. .The north paid wages to them and eventually sold the land for back taxes to those who were now earning funds. Three women came from the north to set up schools and the building that we toured was a part of that school. Lots of current skills as we as academic classes were conducted. Many of the families that bought land in the mid-1860’s are still owned by their descendants. The small house in the photos was built as a retreat for Martin Luther King, Jr but he was killed before he could use it. It is now an artist and writers retreat house. More info here: https://www.nps.gov/reer/index.htm

Food - Holiday - Thanksgiving - Home /  by Dave Hileman

We had a small gathering for Thanksgiving dinner in Knoxville. Jill and I, her daughter, Carin and son-in-law, Evan (also the chef) and two friends, Rebecca and Paul. While the gathering was small the food was extensive and delicious. Turkey, naturally, brined and well-roasted with a pecan/honey sauce, sweet potatoes with cranberry, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, gravy, oysters, honey glazed brussel sprouts, stuffing and home made rolls. All this was proceded by a wonderful squash soup and followed by raspberry cheesecake and pumpkin pie. Burp!

My restrained plate number one!

Food - Dessert Restaurant - Charleston - South Carolina /  by Dave Hileman

Jill and I did a guided walking tour of Charleston that was very well done. We both enjoyed it and learned a lot. Excellent guide. Our tour was at 2 so we came into town for a fine lunch (next Saturday’s post) and then off to the walk. The tour ended about 4 and we decided we had enough dinner and went to Kaminsky’s near the City Market. It is a nice upscale place for a sweet end to an excellent day. We shared a mixed berry cobbler with ice cream (of course). So good. They have pies, cakes, cookies, coffee, some alcoholic choices and milk shakes. Perfect end to a idyllic day.

Theme Week Normal? /  by Dave Hileman

We had no internet last night when we arrived home from a day trip to Beaufort, SC. So this post is late!

Another rare phenomenon occurred on the beach this week in addition to the spawning palms. As some of you know the Leonids Shooting stars were visible over Charleston SC a few days ago. Well, it another rare moment I found one awash in the surf. it is not often to find one intact like this very special “shooting star.” Enjoy.

Theme Week: Normal? /  by Dave Hileman

We got to witness one of nature’s more amazing occurrences at the beach yesterday. We are on the Isle of Palms (French: Isle des Palmiers) in South Carolina. On the beach this morning as we were walking we encountered two of the palms that had migrated back to the shore of their birth to spawn and lie exhausted in the sands. This little seen phenomenon occurs in the month of November on election years. The palms must fight ocean currents, waves, sea weed entrapments, fig and coconut harvesters across miles of open water driven by a primal instinct to return to the sands of thieir youth. Plus there are hungry land sharks waiting to grab them at the last moment. These two magnificent examples may be the only ones this year to reach the shore but Palm Watchers are optimistic that a few more might yet make it “home.”

Land sharks are never far away during migration.

The Church from Yesterday's Photo /  by Dave Hileman

Jill and I stumbled on this beautiful church while touring the countryside around Lexington, KY. It was so well cared for and lovely in the setting. I doubt many people attend as the parking would accommodate about 20 cars. On the grass. I took yesterday’s photo by shooing through a side window and the reflection of the outside overwhelmed the inside except in the center of the picture

Fifty /  by Dave Hileman

I was privileged to take photos at our friends fiftieth wedding anniversary. It was held at Johnson University’s White House where Jerry is a professor and Pam works in administration. It was a perfect Saturday afternoon.

Veterans Day - Thanks to all those who protect America /  by Dave Hileman

We honor across this country the men and women who have been a part of our military on this day, November 11, each year. The holiday was first called Armistice Day and celebrated the end of WWI on the 11 of November at 11:00. It became an official holiday in 1938 and changed after WWII to honor all who have served in any of the armed forces.

Thiis grave is found in an old mountain-side church yard near Elizabethton, TN. This man was a member of the Tennessee 13th Calvary and unit of Union volunteers formed in Strawberry Plains and was active from 1863 to April of 1865. Tennessee was a Confederate state that had over 50,000 men serving in the Union army.