american history 101

Our first stop was French Creek State Park, PA, located approximately an hour west of Philadelphia. The campground was really lovely. It was set in an open woodland area and the birds were just magnificent. They were just singing their little birdie hearts out. So many songs. I even made a recording, but I'm not sure I can attach it to my blog. I have a "limited tech" ability, not to mention service that goes in and out on a regular basis.

French Creek State Park, PA

Since we were "a few" days later than anticipated, we had to cut our visit here short. No trip in to NYC to see a show and the 9/11 memorial (so much for those tickets 🙄), no extra days to just set up the camper and relax and only one day for Philly. Que sera sera. We can go to NYC anytime.

Growing up in the mountains in rural VT we watched very little TV. It's not that my parents were making a political statement or concerned that our minds would become mush, although I'm not saying that weren't thinking that 🤔, but it was mostly that we really only got one channel, two if someone got up on the roof and repositioned the antenna just right but once the wind blew it was off again. Even the station that we "got" was pretty snowy and staticy. Sometimes you had to guess what was actually happening. 😂 (Perhaps that's where I developed my imagination or honed it at least! 🤣) Despite all that, one show we watched and all loved was "The Adventures of Daniel Boone". And now here we were not far from his birthplace. A visit was in order. I was quite excited and sang the theme song all the way there. "Daniel Boone was a man, yes a big man …" Martin seemed not to reflect my same level of excitement. Maybe he hadn't watched the show? Well of course he hadn't really, he was watching Star Trek! He got all the tv channels!

Daniel Boone's birthplace.
The smokehouse.
These stairs are even narrower and steeper than ours! Haha

The bible safe. The family Bible was an important document so they built a "safe" in the walls of the main rooms. Then the Bible could easily be recovered in case of fire. Everyone had these safes so they all knew where to look for them in an emergency.

A secret treasure in the barn.

The guide talked about the mix of cultures in the area, Swiss, English, German and Dutch, and how they all adapted and adopted each other's customs. It's unfortunate that our political leaders don't follow that same example today.

Now I have a serious topic I want to discuss. Amongst the general public there is some confusion between Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. And apparently it is all because Fess Parker starred in two similar TV shows, one about Daniel Boone and the other Davy Crockett and now the American public mixes them up. Really ??? So I'm going to do my part to try and clear this up right now.

Here's a quick primer:

Daniel Boone: frontiersman, outdoorsman, opened the west by finding and opening the Cumberland Gap Trace (passage). 
Did NOT wear a coonskin hat. (Didn't even like coonskin hats)

Davy Crockett: frontiersman, outdoorsman, Congressional Representative from Tennessee, Died defending the Alamo. Born later than Daniel Boone. WORE a coonskin hat.

Fess Parker: actor, played both men. Decided he wanted to wear a coonskin hat in his roles for BOTH men !?!?!?!  
Go figure.

Today's history lesson complete. 
(and boom, mike drop)


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