we have a lot of catching up to do, you and I

For the better part of this last week, we were without internet access at home. r1 had access at work, so he didn't suffer as much as I did. It was awful. I had to figure out how to get to the library by looking at a map, a paper map. And once, I had to use the phone book.

Now that we are once again connected, we have a lot to catch up on, blog posting-wise.

On June 21, we visited the Manassas National Battlefield Park. This is where the first major battle of the Civil war took place, also known as the battle of Bull Run. There was also a second Battle of Bull Run later in the war. It's also where Thomas Jackson got the nickname "Stonewall".

We followed a tour led by a Ranger who vividly described the battle, and then went on a short hike (it was HOT). Here is a picture of w1 in one of the rare moments he was standing still:

And, he apparently thought the cannons were for riding:


r1 caught this great picture of these tiny beautiful butterflies along the trail:


I'm going to throw a book recommendation in here. After going to Gettysburg last year, I went on a reading about the Civil War kick. My favorite was April 1865 by Jay Winik. The main premise is that a very specific order of events occurred, with very specific people playing a part, for our country to emerge from the Civil War and become united once again (something so many other countries fail to do).

Stay tuned for more posts about what the Robinson's have been up to...