Driving to the deep South in a very hot July–What were we thinking?

July 6, 2011 M.G.

Our preference is to flee the heat and humidity of Arkansas by heading to the mountains – when we can.

US 65 in southeast Arkansas, July 1, 2011.

This year, that’s not an option. I’ve got contract work through the hottest part of the year, so we’re not planning on a trip until later.

This fourth of July weekend, though, I had the opportunity to make it a four day weekend, if, on Thursday, we were able to get done with everything that needed to be done at work so we didn’t need to finish up on Friday. I texted Karen to let her know, “May take tomorrow off and make it a 4 day weekend if we can finish this exam on the simulator tonight.”

“Ok, you probably need a break,” she replied, and then a little while later, she asked, “Do you want to take a day trip or overnight for something different to do?

I texted back, “Don’t know as hot as it is. It’d be different if it were cooler.”

Karen: “Biloxi MS is to be in the mid to low 90’s maybe a shower or two. – Day drive look around – just an idea.”

US 65 in southeast Arkansas, July 1, 2011. I liked the idea, but decided to check to see just how long a trip that would be. “That’s over an 8 hour drive by google,” I texted.

So there we were the next afternoon, south of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with the heat mirages shimmering off the blacktop, without even a clue of the road construction traffic backup we would run into east of Vicksburg, Mississippi, or that we would end up in an extended crawl in Friday rush hour traffic in Jackson, Mississippi going into a long holiday weekend.

We didn’t take our motorhome, though there were plenty of recreational vehicles on the road.

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Fireworks in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

July 4, 2011 M.G.

I had four days off in a row and we took a mini-vacation to the Mississippi coast. It was hot, hot, hot – but, at least, we had the opportunity to see and do something other than sitting at home in the air conditioning since it’s even hotter at home.

We did get to see some fireworks.

I was pretty pleased to get these pictures. I’ve always had problems getting good images of fireworks.

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Early Snow

July 3, 2011 M.G.

Mueller State Park, Colorado, August 28, 2004

The snow on Pike’s Peak had fallen during the previous night. By the end of the day it was gone. It was a sure sign that the summer was drawing to a close.

We had rented a cabin for a week in an area next to this park.

The Mueller Park area was once part of Mueller Ranch, created by W.E. Mueller by combining ten ranches and homesteads that he had purchased. In the 1980s, the Mueller family designated the ranch as a game preserve. Later the ranch was purchased by the Nature Conservancy, Colorado State Parks and Division of Wildlife. The old ranch road in the photo above is now one of many trails in the park, used as both a hiking trail and a horse trail.

Related web sites:

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

July 2, 2011 M.G.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

When we visited the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens 0n March 13, 2011, there was an amazing amount of flowers in bloom, even though most of the trees were still bare from winter.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Dallas, general info

Three of my civil war writers cross paths!

June 29, 2011 M.G.

At Daily Observations from The Civil War, I publish daily writings from letters and diaries of 150 years ago, scheduling posts well in advance to keep from getting overwhelmed or behind.

While working with War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, I came across some familiar names. On August 11, 1861, Lt. Lusk writes to his mother, “I have been fortunate in meeting several friends most unexpectedly during the last few days. Miss Woolsey was at our encampment on some errand of mercy yesterday evening. I saw her for a few moments, and promised to call upon her and Mrs. Howland soon, which I shall do if allowed to leave the camp. The laws are very strict though now, and I doubt whether I shall be able to leave the camp for some time to come.”

Miss Woolsey was Georgeanna Muirson Woolsey and Mrs. Howland was her sister, Eliza Woolsey Howland. Many of their civil war letters – and those of other family members – are preserved in Letters of a Family During the War for the Union, another book I have been working with. There, Eliza Howland writes to her husband on October 1, 1861, “Very little to tell you about except a few calls, including one from Mrs. General Franklin to ask us to take tea with her to-night. Lieutenant Lusk of the 79th, whom we used to know as “Willy” Lusk, also came. He seems to have grown up into a very fine young fellow, handsome and gentlemanly, and with the same sweet expression he had as a child. He was studying medicine in Europe when the war broke out, but came home at once and enlisted as Lieutenant in the 79th, where he is now Acting Captain—so many of the regiment were either killed or taken prisoners at Bull Run.”

Georgeanna and Eliza lived together in Washington, D.C., while Eliza’s husband, Joseph served in the Union Army of the Potomac. When the Army of the Potomac left the Washington area, they tried to get permission to travel with it. However, they were unsuccessful until the Sanitary Commission gave them positions on the hospital ship Daniel Webster.

All three survived the war.

Eliza and her husband returned to their home in New York after he was wounded in 1862 at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, effectively ending his military career.

Georgeanna became very prominent in nursing during the war and after, including being one of the principle founders of the Connecticut Training School for Nurses.

William took part in engagements at Blackburn’s Ford, First Bull Run, Port Royal, James Island, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and many other minor battles. He was also a staff officer of Isaac I. Stevens until Stevens’ death, and he commanded two companies during the Draft Riots of 1863. When his command was sent to Delaware and designated as inactive, he resigned and returned to medical school.

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Eyes of the Great Depression 054

June 27, 2011 M.G.

John Bunyan Locklear and family on porch of new home. Pembroke Farms, North Carolina; 1939
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/fsa2000000660/PP/

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Roman Merchant Ship (circa 50 AD)

June 24, 2011 M.G.

The Miniature Ships of August F. Crabtree – Merchant ships like this carried grain, wines, oils, cloth, and passenger throughout the vast empire. Steering oars on each side of the hull were the equivalents of a rudder, used to guide the ship.

The Mariners Museum, Newport News, Virginia, May 10, 2009

Mariner’s Museum website

Another genetically mutated illness?

June 22, 2011 M.G.

Scarlet fever is one of those illness that I thought modern medicine had virtually eradicated.

However, the truth is that scarlet fever, once a major cause of death, is still around, but is usually quite effectively treated with antibiotics. Generally a childhood disease, scarlet fever is caused by toxins released by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus or “group A strep”, the same bacteria that causes strep throat.

Outbreak in Asia.

Over 400 cases of scarlet fever have been identified in Hong Kong in the last few weeks, with new cases being reported at about 25 a day. Two deaths of young children have been attributed to the disease, a seven year old girl in May and a five year old boy in June. Nearly all of the infections have been in children under the age of ten with most occurring in clusters in schools and child care centers.

Scarlet fever occurs every year in Hong Kong, but at much lower numbers.

A genetic mutation may be the cause of the outbreak. If so, it may be more difficult to control. Dr. Samson Wong Sai-yin, a University of Hong Kong assistant professor and medical microbiologist, told Hong Kong’s English daily, The Standard, “”It is the first time we have seen this kind of mutation in that particular type of Streptococcus.”

Besides Hong Kong, the disease is spreading through nearby regions of China and Macau.

Additional information:

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Sunflowers at a Buffalo Jump

June 21, 2011 M.G.

Sunflowers at The Vore Buffalo Jump archeological site

Wyoming’s Vore Buffalo Jump archeological site August 27, 2007.

The ancestors of at least 5 Plains Indian tribes killed and butchered as many a 20,000 bison at the Vore Buffalo Jump during a 300 year period between 1500 and 1800 A.D.

Herds of bison were driven from the surrounding valley and stampeded over the edge of a large round sinkhole, providing tons of meat for winter storage. When horses became abundant, tribes adopted other hunting techniques and used “jumps” less frequently.

Thick layers of butchered bone extend almost 20 feet below the bottom of the sink.

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