Around Here: A Civil War Encampment, Stucky's, Karaoke and Da Pack Beats Da Bears

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

For the first time since 2019,I went to a Civil War encampment at Hainesville, Illinois.  It was good to get around like-minded folks like me.  It was sunny, but blustery with a good bit of cold in the air.  Not bad in the sunlight, but avoid tree shade.

I met and talked with my friend Bob, who was playing the part of Elijah Haines, the founder and namesake of Hainesville.  We go back to 1973, when we were both teachers in Round Lake.  I also sat in on the presentations by U.S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln.

They were going to recreate the Battle of Bentonville, fought in North Carolina on March 19-21, 1865.  This battle was fought just 25 miles from where I was born in 1951, Goldsboro.  However, I had been wind-blown enough by then so I decided to leave.

Later that night Liz and I went to Stucky's in Johnsburg where we ate an d I sang karaoke.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17 

Met the new neighbors across the street for the first time.  We went to the McHenry American Legion where we watched a certain quarterback own us again as he said so emphatically after scoring a TD.  The 24-14 final score was not truly indicative of their domination.  Sure getting tired of watching Da Bears play Da Packers.

--RoadSadBears

Back Home Again-- Part 2

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD:  Went to a Zaxby's for the first time.  Good food.  Did some shopping.

THURSDAY, JULY 24TH:  Some serious rain.  Bob and I drove out to Bentonville Battlefield, about 20 miles from Goldsboro and went to the museum.  We didn't get to go on the battlefield because of the off-and-on rain, at times really heavy.

Originally the plan was to go to Topsail Beach today, but the great beach band, The Embers, were playing at Goldsboro's Main Street Jam downtown so stuck around for it.  Unfortunately, it was rained out.

Oh Well.  --RoadDog


SIGNS OF OLD AGE:  When you do the "Hokey Pokey" and you put your left hip out, it stays out.

145th Anniversary Battle of Bentonville, Good, But... Part 3

After the long line at the ticket booth, we encountered a long line by the portapotties near the Harper House and almost made the mistake of going right up to them before we noticed a line. They should have had one side blocked off.

By this time, the food lines had to be twenty to thirty deep.

Finally, someone at the tickets came out and started walking along the line selling them to people with cash, which really sped up the process, so we bought them. We found out that all activities were free, but it cost $10 to see the battle. We also heard that we should immediately go out to the field where it was to take place if we wanted to view it.

We walked on out about two hours before it and there were already so many people there that a good view of the battle was going to be difficult, so we walked back into the woods and viewed the Union troops getting ready for battle which was interesting and a LOT cooler.

Watched several regiments marching off down the dirt road and felt this would have been what it would have looked like with US flags and drums a rolling.

We did find several portapotties near the Union encampment, but again, a very long line.

More Coming. --RoadDog

145th Anniversary Battle of Bentonville, Good, But... Part 2

Again, I have never seen as many re-enactors in one place. I read in another blog that this was the "Biggie" for North Carolina historical sites, calling in resources and state employees from all over to pull it off. The event only happens every five years, and, of course, the next one is going to be the "Biggie," the 150th!

There was also a large number of sutlers there, offering everything a Civil War fanatic, novice or greenhorn could possibly want. I was impressed. Normally in Illinois, we only have seven to ten sutlers.

Our first problem encountered was a very long line to buy tickets so we decided to put it off. In Illinois, you pay even before you get on the grounds and so far, no one had asked for money for tickets.

There appeared to be just two food vendors, but prices were very reasonable: $2 hot dogs, $3 hamburgers, $3 elephant ears, and pop and water for a buck.

The small museum was crowded and there was quite a line waiting to go into the Harper House, a focal point of the battle.

Not Through Yet. --RoadDog