Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland

We were in three states yesterday in our final move East.  The 105 mile travel day put us 18 miles from our son Matthew's home at Fort George Meade, the home of the NSA.  We will be here for the next 14 days visiting and seeing the sites of Washington DC.

The big news for Matt and his family is his new assignment.  Matt is a Master Sargent in the Air Force and has been assigned as a computer hacker for the NSA for the last four years.  He has loved this assignment but his time was up for a new adventure.  With his seniority and skills he will spend the next four years assigned to NATO in Brussels, Belgium.  This may be his last assignment before retirement from the Air Force, so it is a great way to finish his career.

Terri says that Europe is in our future.... sounds good to me.  I don't think I can drive the RV there.

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

We got an early start yesterday which allowed us time to visit Harpers Ferry National Park.  This wonderfully preserved town is up the Potomac River from Washington DC and was the site of the US Armory during the Civil War times.  The town changed hands 8 times during the Civil War.  It's manufacturing capabilities made it a key location in the war.

The town is located where the Shenandoah River and the Potomac Rivers meet. This is where Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia meet and are on each side of the two rivers.  The railroads and power from the rivers provided the ideal location for arms manufacturing.

The wooden railroad trestle still runs through town. 

  We visited several museums in town and learned more about slavery. I now have more interest and questions than ever on the subject of slavery.  It's time for more study to try to understand this whole part of our history.

I don't know about you but the fact that you could purchase a person for $1,250.00 bothers me right to my core.  I've got a lot to try to understand.

Entering Harpers Ferry.

War, floods and fires have taken their toll on this town.

Driving over the Potomac.

The driver is over the river, but not past his prime.

We passed the 10,000 mile mark yesterday as we were driving.  It's been a great adventure, in a few days we will celebrate our one year anniversary as vagabonds'.

We are in a wonderful spot at Patapsco Valley State Park for the next 14 days.  Being surrounded by forest only miles outside of DC is nice.

Life is good.... we could do this for many more miles and years.