Vicksburg

On our way to Louisiana we stopped by the national park in Vicksburg. We did the speedy tour, driving and looking, not much stopping, but at least we got to see it.











Of course, I had to zoom in on the golden eagle.





And under the eagle.

Fort Pulaski National Monument (Georgia)

We stopped near Savannah Georgia at Fort Pulaski National Monument and even though it was raining lightly on us we walked around a bit. Dennis and Haden crossing the moat on the drawbridge.

As I crossed the moat I paused to snap a photo - btw these were all taken with the little camera, I didn't want to drag the big one out in the rain and lug it around - we just planned on taking a quick peek.

We paused for a quick photo, I have to laugh at how the wind was making my hair fly, lol.

There was another drawbridge to cross to actually get into the fort. See the canon through the doorway?

Once I reached the door I turned around and snapped back the way we had come.

Huge, massive doors - imagine all the things they have seen in their lifetimes!

One of the soldiers' quarters. I cannot imagine having to live in this small space.

I think every "window" we encountered was actually a hole to poke a canon through.

We were allowed to go up on top and walk - each semi-circle you see would have had a weapon - only a few remain.

I found it interesting that they were so mobile, the ones below could even be pulled forward and backward, but on top you could only do the arc. They are really heavy for one person to push!

Looking down into the center of the fort.

A cool, gnarly tree near the parking lot.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

And between the parking lot and fort lies a soldier's grave.

A Turning Point in Military History

In the days before the Civil War, brick forts were America's main defense against overseas enemies. In one two-day battle during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority to brick forts. The Union army used rifled cannons to compel a surrender by Confederates inside Fort Pulaski. No one ever built a brick fort again after the battle.

~taken from the National Park Service site

Capulin Volcano National Monument

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
 After visiting the Sand Dunes we made our way to the Capulin Volcano in New Mexico. We stopped along the way to do a few caches and I found a little critter.

He enjoyed his sunning rock and enjoyed watching him.

It really is neat finding a splash of growing color amongst the rock and the sand and barrenness.

We made it to the Capulin Volcano National Monument and my guys walked the rim, a mile long trail. I walked a portion of it, then went back to the bottom to wait. It stands about 1000’ above the surrounding landscape, with the mouth/crater being 400’ deep. It is really an awesome place and you can see for miles when you stand on the rim.

The mouth/center is concave (it’s an example of an extinct cinder cone volcano) and it acts as a huge megaphone. So you can be down in the bottom, or anywhere along the rim and easily hear what someone else says. Remember that if you ever visit. I really enjoyed just sitting there, in peace, cool breeze blowing and voices drifting from a half mile away.