Lot’s to catch up on…..

I was so thankful that I was able to head over and see Jodi and Blake at their place in the mountains, even though they had friends there, I was welcomed as always. It worked out too as they were going camping for a couple days with their friends, I could hang out with the animals. Worked out well, we kind of changed places for a few days. I needed to plan my next move.

The weather in the mountains was nice, cool in the morning, warms up a bit and beautiful evenings. I was able to make a few plans, take a few pictures, think about what I was doing. When the happy campers came back a few days later we were able to hang out and enjoy old and new friends. I stayed a couple days after their friends left on there own cross country trip to the West coast and heading home to Alaska. Good people. It was great hanging out with Blake and Jodi too, a special love that only you two could give.

It was time to bring my plan to fruition. I wanted to attend a Bicycle swap meet in Bowling Green, Ohio the first couple days of May. I like to take my time and drive the back roads as much as I can. With this in mind I like to plan about 3-4 hour drives a day. I can do more, but why?

The trip from North Carolina to Bowling Green was about a 8 hour drive. So I set about to see that halfway point was. Checking my maps and checking for state parks one caught my eye, my 7 year old eye. Ft Boonesborough, Daniel Boone’s place! Now I’m not talking about the Daniel Boone you see on the factual books about him, I’m talking about the REAL Daniel Boone the one most 7 year old boys looked up to, Yup the one and only Fess Parker. He was the real deal.

So I made my reservations for a night in Ft Boonesborough state park, WooHoo! It was a beautiful campground on the banks of the Kentucky river. There were ruins of the original fort, not much but some. A beach, boat ramp( a very steep boat ramp I might add) a pool which was not working, a putt putt golf course too. The showers and restrooms are clean. Unfortunately there are two highways close by and I could hear traffic from my site. Otherwise it was very nice. They have a really well stocked camp store with a great staff. Quite the beer selection too. Oh, and Daniel Boone Coonskin caps with a real tail. Emily checked me in and told me a little bit about the area and how to get to the fort.

The next morning I stopped at the camp store to check out, but there was only one thing I was pondering. Should I buy a coonskin cap with a real tail or not? The man behind the counter said “they come in different sizes “. I dug one out, and it fit! Has a real tail too. The man behind the counter commented” It matches your beard and makes a great toupee too”, I bought it anyway and off I went to Ft Boonesborough.

I put my new toupee, I mean coonskin cap on and headed to the fort. I noticed several school buses there which was cool. The ladies in the shop looked at me funny for some reason as they explained the lay out of the fort. The inside of the fort was several log cabins and buildings and a small farming area and tent’s for soldiers. I slipped in the cabin that was showing a short movie about Daniel Boone and the fort. I sat in the back of the room and a couple kids about 5th grade I thought turned around and saw me. They giggled for some reason, but I just sat there with my coonskin cap on and watched the movie. Soon more kids turned around and smiled and giggled. I smiled back. I snuck out and explored some more. I spoke with a woman who was demonstrating weaving and showed how to use a spinning wheel . The reenactors were dressed accordingly of course. I next went in to the tavern, I spoke with a young man who “ran” the tavern. Most people think of a tavern as just a bar, but it was much more then. It was a gathering place where you would go to hear the news of the day, which was weeks old. They had “readers” people who read to the people, as not many could read themselves. It was a happening hot spot. That’s when the young man decided to squash my childhood memories. First he had to tell me Daniel Boone( not Fess Parker) didn’t wear a coonskin cap, instead he actually disliked them, and instead wore a wide brim hat. Well son of a bit.. I continued around the fort and checked out the Gunsmith’s shop and the Blacksmith’s too. Very cool but it was time to hit the road.