Life is hard. It's funny. It's strange. I didn't give the Nauvoo another thought and accepted it as a long-forgotten dot on the map, possibly a Jewish settlement from a long time ago. That is how the Fort Drum guide explained it. Case closed. But something strange happened. It happened because I'm a quirky modern-day …
The Cow Pasture Battles of 1940, Chapter 2 of “Nauvoo”
In 1941, half my town was taken over by the government, and the people there had to move out and find new homes. Country folks packed up their belongings on pickup trucks. They made arrangements to move their livestock and farm equipment to a new destination, leaving their friends and community behind. The reason for …
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Trying to Bury Us, Chapter 1 of “Nauvoo”
"They tried to bury us. They didn't know we were seeds."- Dino Christianpolus. I live, like many people in this world, in an insignificant place, a bit of geography once used and now forgotten. When I tell local people the name of my town, they snicker, especially those who reside in the more popular tourist …
My Favorite Adventure-Barcelona, Spain and Antoni Gaudi
I choose my yearly adventures in strange ways. I chose Barcelona (almost embarrassed to admit it) because I saw this city on an episode of "The Bachelorette". It looked interesting and I wanted a change from the sometimes dark and ancient history of some of my previous trips. I really had no idea that this …
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Tattooed People and Other Ideas
Ancient people in the frigid north of Scotland, from 300 AD to 500 AD, carved designs into rock and fashioned jewelry from molten metal. They tattooed their bodies with blue pigment from plants. The Roman invaders labeled them The Picts, the painted people. I'm fascinated by their art. I respect them. They were ancient people …
For The Love of The Land
My second visit to Scotland put a spell on me. I traveled through the Highlands, taking in the vast green fields, the rocky hills and mountains, and the lovely waterways. Since coming home, I've been like a hologram, a wavering collection of intense energy without substance. I've tried to understand why I have such a …
Secrets of Omission
It is unpleasant to be tricked, especially when you have accepted something as accurate, and it's not. History often comes in carefully crafted pieces, sliced and diced, to keep secrets. But the true story is always there. Sometimes, it involves digging around and doing the messy work of putting forgotten or hidden pieces back together. …
Big Ben, A Pub, and Diana
I'm pretty sure I made up the phrase "Urban Hiker". I love to go to a city and just start walking. At first, I'm totally lost, but if I keep exploring long enough, my navigation skills become as sure as any native's. I set out from my hotel in London, knowing that if I followed …
The Origins of the Word “Freemason”
There is something mystical about transforming native stone into buildings. It almost seems like magic since such structures were fashioned by hand without power tools or modern materials. In my county, stone buildings were made from limestone or sandstone. These sedimentary rocks are a good choice for such construction because of their accessibility and layered quality. I …
The Scottish Sheep Connection
A mystery. I ignored the clues until my sorority sister, Annie, pointed out that the stone walls at the edge of my Northern New York State property were most likely used centuries ago to prevent sheep from entering my woods. How did sheep get to The North Country, a wilderness overrun by wolves, lynx, and …
The Autonomous Traveler 