John and Marlene Summer 2021

 On the way home we stopped to see family in the D.C. area.  Everyone knows there are wonderful things to see here.  We only had a short time but happened to be close to The Manassas Battlefield National Park so we took a look. By the way, as usual, the National Park rangers/docents were excellent and at the visitor center was a 45 minute movie (very professional) explaining the two battles and how they were relevant in the larger conflict. In case you forgot, the First Battle of Bull Run (Union name) was fought at Manassas (Confederate name) April 15th, 1861; one of the first battles after the Ft. Sumpter takeover.  Union Forces, led by Gen. McDowell, wanted to secure an important railroad junction that would impair the South's ability to supply Richmond.  Bystanders from D.C. came out to watch the battle, which they thought would basically end the war.  Surprise, surprise, the Confederates, led by Gen P.G.T. Beauregard and Gen. Joseph Johnston, with suppo...

Marlene's family is in the Troy, NY area.  She had not seen them for some time due to the Covid pandemic, among other things.  So we had a great couple of weeks visiting.  Below a surprise early birthday video for her at a restaurant with her brother, Austin and his girl, Reggie. Next, on to Vermont, which we had never visited.  Beautiful mountains, green pastures, wonderful vistas.  First stop Bennington, VT. Did you know how important the Battle of Bennington was to Colonial success in the Revolutionary War?  In August of 1777 British Gen Burgoyne sent his Col Baum to Bennington to procure food, supplies, equipment for his army.  Their grand plan was to divide the Colonies in two, separating New England from the rest of the Colonies.  At Bennington, colonial Gen John Stark, aided by The Green Mountain Boys defeated the British, killing Col Baum in the process.  Historically, they accomplished three important things:  1) Denying Burgoyn...