We’re back at the campground early this afternoon. It’s almost four but we’ve been here since 2 or so. The power is still out from the storms yesterday but it’s a very sunny day, so the teardrop is getting a great solar charge. This is our solar set up that we got from Zamp Solar that sits directly on top of the teardrop, but doesn’t get in the way of our fan (which you can see in the back) or any of the awnings.
This morning we went down into Farmington, PA to the Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Going to this site meant that we were visiting the location where Washington plunged two empires into the Seven Years War (the French and Indian War) and the true origins of the Revolutionary War at Jumonville Glen. Here, Washington, with help from the Native American, “Half-King”, surprised and overtook a French party who they accused of spying. Without Washington’s knowledge, “Half-King” split open Ensign Jumonville’s skull, killing him. Later, at poorly constructed Fort Necessity, Washington would deal with the Jumonville’s brother’s vengeance as the French forced Washington into his only surrender to a foreign force. Washington would sign the articles of capitulation by dim candlelight, reading poorly translated French that accused him of assassinating Ensign Jumonville. This effectively pitted France and Britain against one another in open combat for the rights of North America. General Edward Braddock would later become a causality of this war and after the battle of Monongahela, would be buried by Colonel Washington under his own road (Braddock’s Road). The fight against the French would ultimately lead to the near bankruptcy of the British Empire and the empire issuing acts that would tax colonial America. These taxes compounded by the British never formally recognizing the colonials as British citizens and the insult of never allowing Washington or other officers British regular commissions, colonials would eventually stand against the British Empire in the American Revolution.
All of the above has been formally dictated by Will, typed by yours truly. Be sure to thank him for all of that history.
The actual fort at Fort Necessity has of course been reconstructed and it is small, like really small. Like the playground version of the fort at the visitor’s center is every bit as big, if not bigger than the actual fort. But still, it is a really nice site in quite charming fields. After we left the fort, we made a quick stop to tour Mount Washington Tavern, a tavern on the original National Road that served as stopping places for stagecoaches traveling the road. The tavern is set up like a museum and is a pretty cool look into what traveling by wagon would have been like in the early 1800s.
We also stopped by General Braddock’s grave and walked down into Jumonville Glen. Jumonville Glen is a really interesting place. It’s a way back down into the woods and seems to offer a bit of the isolated feeling of the wilderness that would have surrounded Fort Necessity in the 1750s.
After leaving Jumonville Glen we headed back towards Ohiopyle and made our way to the Ohiopyle State Park Visitor’s Center. This is where so many people were yesterday afternoon. We stopped in the visitor’s center and then walked a ways down the bank of the river and finally understood a bit more about why so many people were here. It seems like this place is maybe the closest bit of water and park area for people to enjoy. There is also a natural waterslide and several waterfalls within easy walking distance.
The place is quite incredible, but all the while I kept thinking back to North Carolina and thinking about how nothing we’ve seen has quite been able to compare to the Blue Ridge. On our two-week trip last summer, on the day we visited Mt. Mitchell, I kept thinking of John Denver’s, Sunshine on my Shoulder’s. I really felt that if I had a day that I could give you it would have been a day just like that day. I’ve been trying to think about these days during this trip that way. But so far, they just don’t quite compare. Maybe the days coming up in West Virginia will bring that feeling.
Here’s to more beautiful days with sunshine on our shoulders as we start to head back down south tomorrow. We’re headed to Shenandoah before making our way into the Monongahela for a few days.
Life in the right lane,
Rachel
DMG Exploration 