Peace and Justice

We found our way to Montgomery, Alabama mostly because of Anne and Ron’s recommendation of the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.  Also, there is a shop we thought would be able to do a front-end alignment on the bus, they are not that easy to come by.  So, the short story is that the shop kept the bus from 8:15am until almost 4pm to determine that they couldn’t do the job.

The long story is centuries old and more disturbing than we (randy and I) have allowed ourselves to believe.   The Legacy Museum is sponsored by eji – Equal Justice Initiative.  “They are committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the US, to challenging racial and economic injustice and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.”

I am not sure how to share the story.  It is something we all know but often choose not to think about.  We (Randy and I) are white Americans, middle class Americans trying to live in a bubble.  Much of this story has not affected our lives the way it probably should have.  Every one of us needs to open our eyes and hearts to the plight of the less fortunate “most vulnerable” people in our communities.

The story of course starts with the forced enslavement of millions of African men women and children being shipped against their will to be bought and sold, owned and abused.  Importing slaves became illegal in the US in 1807, but the slave trade continued for much longer.

Slavery by itself is abhorrent and should have never happened, but the belief that black people are less intelligent and unable to take care of themselves so they were being helped by being enslaved is unbelievable.  We all know about the Civil War and its “end” to slavery with the thirteenth amendment, right?  This finally happened in the 1860s 50 years after importing slaves became illegal…

End of story right, ummmm no.  During the next 100 years – let that sink in 100 MORE YEARS.  Blacks were segregated, treated as non-people, lynched, murdered, spit upon daily.  They lived and worked in the USA and were not allowed to vote or participate in government of any sort, hell they couldn’t even choose any seat on a city bus or which bathroom they wanted use.  Not all white Americans believe in the superiority of the white person, but enough did and still do to make life hell for many black people.

When slavery became illegal other means were found to keep the black people in their places.  Segregation of all public services became LAW – bathrooms, water fountains, city buses, restaurants (you know the Jim Crow Laws) – and when segregation didn’t work public lynching occurred.  Lynching is when a mob of people kill a person or multiple people for any ALLEGED offense with or without evidence or conviction for the offense.   The killing could be hanging, burning, drowning mostly in a public venue.

A large part of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice is dedicated to remembering the victims of lynching since slavery was abolished.  They have a column for each county in each state where documented lynchings occurred with the names of the victims if known and dates of the event.  It is daunting!!!

Below are some of the details of documented lynchings.  UNBELIEVABLE

 

I am sure that many protests, marches, revolts and other actions were taken by black people to obtain their dignity and worth as US citizens (originally brought here unwillingly/forcibly), but we mostly learned about Montgomery and near-by events.  Again, I know we all learned this in school, but that was a long time ago and I think this is worth revisiting.

Rosa Parks – I knew the name and story of her not giving up her seat on a city bus for a white person.  But I didn’t realize that this one act of defiance in 1955 – get that 1955, started the Montgomery city bus boycott.  Black people throughout the city refused to ride the buses for over a year.  Just imagine being so unquestionably involved in a protest that you are willing to walk to work for a year to prove a point???  And not just you but most every black person in the entire city.  Would like to think that some white people boycotted as well???

1965 – the year I was born.  March of 1965 to be exact, a constituent of about 600 people tried to march from Selma, AL to the Capitol Montgomery, AL to guarantee voting rights for black people. The march was stopped after less than a mile at the Edmund Pettis Bridge by the state patrol and other interested citizens wielding guns and tear gas.  On their third attempt with National Guard protection and judicial authority the march was successful.  Later that year in August Lyndon Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act which guaranteed the right to vote to all African Americans.  This right was granted in 1870 by the 15^th amendment to the constitution of the US, but not enforced until 95 YEARS LATER….

Now that slavery is illegal and black people can vote and elect people to protect their

interests, there had to be another way to hold them down.  In the 1970s for various reasons the rate of incarceration began to increase dramatically.  Statistics as shown on the below graph speak for themselves.   How could we turn a blind eye to this???  I have heard the stories, seen the news, absorbed the gripes and complaints, all the while believing that the USA is a fair and just country that will protect its own.  Who could be more our own???

People in my opinion this is terrorism plan and simple Domestic Homegrown Unforgiveable Terrorism.  Forget the wall stop yourselves!!!!  May we all learn and react?!?!

The incarceration rate is decreasing, but not as fast as it increased.  I am not sure what the future holds for American, men women and children that happen to have darker skin than I do, but I do understand why they live in fear!!!

Peace and Justice for all!!!

 

 

 

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Augusta, SC and GA

Last unexpected but quite enjoyable stop with family, N August, SC.  Had wonderful visits and meals (still can’t believe there is a buffet all you can eat for less than $5) with Uncle Joe and Aunt Anne.  Dinner with Patty Jo and Eddie was such a treat we stayed an extra day to be able to see them, so nice to be flexible with our schedule.  What wonderful memories we revisited and caught up on how the family has grown, with children having children and those children having more children.  This is where grand and great grand children come from.  Looks like childhood cousins have developed into wonderful families and we are sorry it has been so long since sharing love with this branch of the family.

Family is always a piece of you and not matter the passage of time, it is just like we were together yesterday.  Enjoyed every minute and hope to do it again sometime.

Again no pictures, but much love —  GO Clemson in the Championship next week

We also visited downtown Augusta, GA across the Savannah River from N Augusta, SC they have a nice river walk along the levee on the GA side protecting the downtown area.  Not sure what flooding does on the north side??  No levee in sight…  Augusta became known in the late 1800s as a winter retreat from the cold north states, and has grown into one of the best known golf communities in America – you might know about the Augusta National Golf Tournament.

Peace and Love and Happy 2019 to all!!!

November and the Holidays

Feels like the last two months have been running this fast…  Lots of great times and lots of hard work – sad to leave all the loving wonderful family and friends, but time to resume our adventure.

Guess what I did not pull the camera out once during our holidays.  So, unlike me, but must mean that I was enjoying the company more than documenting the moment??!!??  We spent a couple of weeks in Oak Island reliving a lifetime of memories and many lifetimes before ours.  So very cool to visit a different era, when people use to write letters, hand make clothes, make photo albums, make your own furniture, have family heirlooms and fine china.  Today everything seems so disposable…

And I am one to talk since we disposed of almost everything nonessential when leaving on our adventures.  Anyway 27 Yaupon Way holds so much love and memories with many more to come.

Back to the visit and holidays.  We really  enjoyed Thanksgiving with Aunt Anne and Uncle Ron, the entire family was there much love Rhonda Rodney Ella and Mason – Rich Leah and Regan – Hailey and Michael – Gibson and Lydia – Beth, Geneva and anyone I may have missed.  Mason left shortly after for a big adventure in Park City, UT, so  happy for him  – hope you Have a Blast!!!

Christmas was in Greensboro with the Turner, Tyson, O’Kelly families and more.  Lots of great family time, baking and painting cookies, carols including the 12 Days of Christmas with 30, dirty Santa, Italian cuisine, Chinese on the Eve, candle light church service, Christmas day gifts and breakfast, etc.  What a wonderfully special time we had thanks to the hostesses and host, Wendy Millie and Brian!!!  Loved seeing and visiting with each of you Millie Wendy Brian Hannah Patrick and Parker – Ricky Jennifer and Richard, – Robert Janice Ben and Jillian – Polly and Jerry – Dave Pam and Conner – Cindy Chuck and extended family – Josie Kimberly and extended family.    And anyone else I missed, we love you all and had a blast thank you.

Even more love to those we saw Larry and Louisa – Greg and Teresa – Jimmy – Billie Kris and Scott  – Bobbie Anne and Dave and those we didn’t see You all make us like calling North Carolina home!!!

Peace and Love and a wonderful 2019 to all!!!

 

Hailey and Michael

Next stop HOME for quality time with the family and the joyous union of Hailey and Michael.  November 11, 2018 our family added quite a few new members thanks to Michael.  He made my sister Hailey’s dreams come true.  Finding love at any age or time in your life is a blessing, but finding it a second time can only be a gift.  Michael and his family are a gift not only to Hailey but to us all!!  We love you both and may every happiness you can imagine come true!!

Peace and Love and HAPPY 2019 to all!!!

Atlantic, NC

From the outer banks of NC we landed in Atlantic with good friends Ben and Felicia.  They and their neighbors David and Donna were gracious to allow us to park in the driveway with one of the best views of Core Banks in the area.  We planned a couple of days with them, but with the views, fellowship, fresh crabs and fish the couple of days quickly turned in to almost a week.  Thanks for the love and friendship.  We truly enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing visit.  I must brag that the crabs and fish were fresh each day right out of the back yard!!!  Love you guys!!!

P. S. Nellie had a wonderful time with Ringo and Blaze, she still loves the toys they gave her.

Peace and Love

NC Outer Banks

After the Chesapeake Bay and entering NC we have another route choice.  Travel down the outer banks or take the inland route???  Still undecided about which way to go we stopped in Shiloh, NC near Elizabeth City to be able to at least visit part of OBX.

Day trip to the Outer Banks and another decision to make.  Which way to go north or south…  North first since we may head south in the bus.  I am sure that I must have at some point, but I don’t remember ever going up to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.  On the northern of OBX, you enter via Hwy158 in northern Kitty Hawk or Southern Duck depending on which side of the road you are looking at.  The Currituck LH is on the farthest northern point accessible via highway vehicles in Corolla.  It is the only lighthouse I remember seeing that is made of brick and not painted.

It is also located very near the Whalehead Club, built in the 1920s as a hunting and fishing resort.  In those days, duck hunting was a major draw on the Currituck sound bringing the wealthiest of the wealthy to visit.  Actually Duck, NC was named because of the popularity of duck hunting.   Beautiful estate that is currently used for weddings and other events.

Back south a must visit is the Wright Brothers museum and monument.  Running short on time and we have visited before we did not go to the museum, but did ride the grounds where the first flight took place and where the monument is.   If you don’t know the story, look it up.  One of NC’s biggest claims to fame!!!

We went further south and exited to drive thru Manteo, home of the lost colony.  Taking the main road down and how we like loops we traveled the ocean front road on our way back north.  Since hurricane Florence had just come thru, we were expecting more damage and wash over than we saw.  Guess Kitty Hawk is a lot further north and past the path of destruction caused by the storm.   It is still a very fragile shore line and very small to non-existent in places.  But in better shape than I was expecting.

We decided to take the outer banks loop thru Ocracoke and two ferries.  A lot of the outer banks is national seashore with small developments scattered in between, towns such as Wave, Avon, Rodanthe, Hatteras, etc.  Although Kitty Hawk area did not show much damage from the storms, this drive proved that damage was done.

Of course, we did not stop on our way down the island, but passed the Bodie Light and Hatteras Light.  Have visited both on prior visits and not too bad riding pictures.

The Oregon Inlet Bridge replacement is well underway.

Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry was free, but a little scary.  They finally (about 2 hour wait) put us mid boat taking up two lanes.  The entire ferry was still leaning on the ride due to out weight.  The level is on the steps of the ferry…  Second wanderlodge ferry ride not the best either.

Ocracoke was a nice little visit.  The town has not grown in 50 years, but is just what you expect.  We stayed at Teeters right off the bay next to the British Cemetery.  As I said it has not grown a bit and neither have the streets.  I would not recommend Teeters to a rig of our size, but it worked and was really convenient for walking around town???  So, who cares if you block traffic on the way in…

The British cemetery brings to life how close WWII actually got to the US mainland.   The four graves were the only bodies recovered from a British trawler on loan to the US Navy to protect our shores.  May 11, 1942 the Bedfordshire was torpedoed and sunk by a German sub off the shores of Ocracoke… Imagine what could have been – or not!!!

Ocracoke is very walkable or many rent/own golf carts.  The light house is within ¼ mile of the downtown bay.  Groceries and restaurants scattered about.  Of course, there are miles of national seashore.  Pristine beach for fishing, riding with the right vehicle in the right places, walking, shelling and this time of year dog running.  So nice to have basically a private beach for Nellie and us.

Ferry to Cedar Island and great friends ahead.  Much larger ferry and they accommodated us well.  Nice view of Ocracoke Light on the way and bird island.

Thanks for the banner Blue Sky Days!!!  Peace and Love!

We’re Back

So, have been busy, lazy or just ignoring this blog for way too long.  I will try to start back from where I left off but I am sure that many little details have already been forgotten.  Strange how quickly and yet slowly things move on day by day.  Days turn to weeks and weeks into months before your eyes, yet minutes take years sometimes.  Time is a funny thing…  Sometimes.

From Delaware we traveled to Chincoteague, VA.  The national seashore connects all the way from Assateague, MD, just south of Ocean City, MD.   With the long barrier island being national seashore, most of Maryland’s Atlantic Ocean beach is public and undeveloped.  It is also only accessible with ATV vehicles or horseback. Near Chincoteague the Park is connected to the mainland via several spit islands.  Which are full of history and modern tourism trade.  Most notable are the wild ponies that live on the island and were made more famous by the children’s books by Marguerite Henry.  We saw the beautiful shore, lots of nice birds and ponies in a distance at Chincoteague.   The close-up ponies were at Assateague.

And of course, they have a lighthouse.

Traveling down the eastern shore of VA our planned route and only option at that point was the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel and Bridges.  We are not really excited about the tolls along the east coast, here and NJ specifically, but on the Bay Bridge they may have really saved us.  Except during hurricanes, I have never seen a bridge closed to traffic due to winds.  Relatively normal weather (i.e. no named storms) creates winds strong enough to make crossing dangerous.  With the toll booths it is easy to monitor traffic, but other bridges… such as the Seven Mile Bridge in the FL Keys where our awning was flapping in the wind while crossing, you cross at your own risk.

Anyway the bridge/tunnel was closed to oversized (wanderlodge sized) vehicles due to excess winds and we were rerouted to a rest area with many others.  We made ourselves comfortable and watched the end of a Panthers game before being allowed to cross.  Even with lighter winds the crossing was harrowing.  Being in the wind then sheltered by the tunnel and then entering the blowing wind again in such a large vehicle was tough, thank goodness for Randy and his steady driving.

The bay bridge-tunnel opened in 1964 and was one of the seven engineering wonders of the world.  It is 23-mile bridge with two tunnels across where the Chesapeake Bay connects with the Atlantic Ocean.  It was originally constructed as a two-lane crossing, and the tunnels allow shipping activity into the harbor to continue as traffic crosses underneath.  In the late 1990s, they added a parallel bridge providing two lanes in each direction, but the tunnels are still one lane each way.  They are currently in the process of building a parallel tunnel for the Thimble Shoals Tunnel.  The waves in the bay were crazy big, and we even tunneled under a large ship leaving the bay.

 

Back to the good ole North State – NC – Home Sweet Home.  Peace and Love.