Tag: Travel

As Europeans explored and settled North America, certain pieces of real estate changed hands multiple times.

For example: This reconstructed building at Colonial Michilimackinac. (How many syllables is that?)

French explorers and priests arrived first. Native Americans already used the area for trade so it was a logical location for both trading post and fort.

Then the French and English had a war. The winner – English – raised their flag and installed their soldiers. Then another war – won by the United States (or maybe not exactly united at that point) – led to another flag and group of soldiers.

But the wars were not over. England and the United States fought again. The fort changed hands and England put in motion a move to a nearby island. However, the war ended in a draw and the United States again took possession. This time to the present day.

Take note of the vertical log construction. This is evidence of French influence. The site in the foreground, with plastic tarp and straw bales, indicates the archeological site closed for the season.

Missouri also changed hands multiple times. Depending upon the decade, the flag was French, Spanish, or United States. Among the many Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites are vertical log constructed structures — built by the French.

Check out the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, for a brief introduction to a few of these sites. The photographer heroine has an eye for sunrises — and gets a few surprises along the way. Here’s a link to the book blurb: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

Europe does not lack for beautiful scenery. Mountains. Rivers. Forest. Shoreline.

Can you imagine living where you can see a mountain each day?

I’ve done it here in the USA. It was nice to look out the back door and see snow-capped mountain. Or, in that case, volcano. (We lived in Washington state at the time and the scene was Mt. Baker.)

No fear of this alpine feature exploding.

Immigrants from Europe did not relocate to the United States for lack of interesting geography. My ancestors, and thousands of other, came for opportunity.

Opportunity to own land.

Opportunity to worship a non-state religion.

Opportunity to practice a trade or profession.

Opportunity for education– in recent decades.

Economic times were difficult in Europe for the characters in the historical novel, New Dreams. Join them on their journey (an adventure in itself) and those first critical months in a new land. Here’s a link to the book blurb: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

Have you ever turned the tap and stared at the nothing which emerged? Or perhaps you got a drip of something rather brown. Either way — after checking for a simple remedy or two — you decided you needed an expert.

May I suggest the person who installed this pipe?

Oh, you can’t get the exact workman. Perhaps one of his descendents. After all, anyone who could install a plumbing system which continues to work after fifteen or more centuries had to be brilliant.

Recessed in the stone floor and placed at the correct angle for slow, constant flow, this lead pipe in Bath, England demonstrates the engineering savvy of the Ancient Romans.

You won’t find any Roman engineers in the wholesome, historical romance, Stitching a Dream. However, you will find a young American boy fascinated by tales of brave knights. This story is recommended for readers of all ages who enjoy a historical background to a single-mother, friends-to-lovers tale. Follow the link for more information. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

Bring the carriage around to the front. The ladies are going to visit friends in the country.

Open carriage. Closed carriage. Coach. Wagon. Cart. Two wheels or four? One horse power or more?

This two horsepower open carriage is used to give tourists a sample of 18th century travel.

Similar vehicles traveled in America from soon after the arrival of Europeans until the early 20th century. (Or later. In the early 1950’s I recall one couple coming to town with team and wagon a couple times a year and “parking” at one of the few remaining hitching posts in our small village.)

The livery and freight company in fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois will rent you a gig and mare by the day. This is perfect to take your sweetheart on a ride during fine weather. Perhaps you will take a picnic and enjoy a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River. Do you have an important question to ask?

Check out the clean & wholesome romance, Stitching a Dream, to learn more about the residents of this town in the early 1850’s. Follow the link for book details. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh