Following in the Footsteps – Thrifty Weekends

If you read my previous Eclipse Planning post Click Here to find it!, you knew that I was planning on traveling to Charleston, SC for the Eclipse…

My friends and I were glued to the evening news the night before the Great Eclipse of 2017 to check out the weather. Being on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina at the Wild Dunes Resort, our viewing extravaganza was definitely at risk due to a front the would bring in clouds and a possible storm. But we already knew when booking our trip that the Low Country of SC is a typical hotbed of thunderstorms in the summer, especially in the afternoon. Would we see the Solar Eclipse totality around 2:42pm?

We lucked out and I will share pictures a bit further down.

But it really got me thinking, how do we deal with disappointments or challenges while traveling?

The unpredictable nature of being outside your routine with travel will bring on some challenges from time to time. How you deal with these hiccups, cancellations, rain storms, delays, a difficult travel companion, etc… will make a huge difference in your experiences. And it may even introduce you to something or someone who becomes life changing.

I have a couple of travel challenges that I quickly remember:

On a three week trip to England around my 10th Birthday, it was rainy and cold for all but the last 2 days.
My Mom and I have the same first and last name and on a trip to Charleston and Kiawah Island, Continental Airlines cancelled one of our seats and no luck for a few days to get me rebooked.
My first trip to Portland, OR brought me to my knees or water to my knees with record-breaking rain fall.
While diving on the Great Barrier Reef, I was pushed up against poisonous vegetation on my neck during some rough seas.
A hotel a travel agent had booked for me was in such an awful neighborhood and on New Year’s Eve the clientele were hustling in and out hourly.

My favorite quote growing up was, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” from Jimmy Dean. This just has to be your motto when you travel.

First thing to think about when something happens when I travel, am I ok? Am I safe? Are my loved ones or other travel companions ok? In both #4 and #5 above, I really needed help and quickly. I was not OK.

Obviously, I survived and here is how I did it. When the on board medical kit did not work, my credit card was able to get a doctor to meet us at the dock and I was attended to. The wound was cleaned of poison and I had some antibiotics to safely recover. What about that hotel? The world has changed, now we can check online reviews and get feedback. I called my travel agent back then and she switched my location.

Secondly, weather is unpredictable and you do have to adjust your sails a bit on the road. Buying rain pants or a unbrella and heading to an inside museum due to the sudden storm will help you with that. One of my favorite museums on the planet was discovered on a morning of intense rain in Helsinki, Finland or a cancelled festival day brought me to my new favorite restaurant in New Orleans.

Thirdly, have a positive attitude. A couple sitting next to me on the beach before the Eclipse was correcting everyone who was negative about our chances to capture a view with the heavy clouds. “It’s supposed to clear.” She spread around her joy all through the afternoon and we had amazing views for the duration. We exchanged business cards at the end, as she was such a lifter.

Here are some of my pictures of the Eclipse, clouds and all.

SAMSUNG CSC

And if I did not get the chance to see the Eclipse myself, I would have been able to cherish some other amazing shots…

Best Eclipse Pictures from the Air

Photographer Mike Cohea’s Instagram

Photographer Richard Bernabe

Travel anyplace at anytime can be unpredictable and we need to adjust our plans and deal with some disappointments along the way. As I am reminded, many people do not get the opportunity to travel and I should feel blessed with the opportunity and adjust my sails a bit and enjoy the experience.

It is probably not surprising to all who follow this blog, that I was a History and Geography teacher. I have always been inspired by historical figures who transcend their circumstances, inspire others, and symbolize hope in the darkest of times. Harriet Tubman’s quotes continue to inspire me.

Here are two of my favorites:

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

’Twant me, ’twas the Lord. I always told him, “I trust to you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect you to lead me,” and he always did.

Three years ago, my family spent two weeks on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the lovely town of St. Michaels. The Eastern Shore is most known for the beach communities of Ocean City and Dewey Beach, but the rest of the region is a agricultural region that cradles much of the DC Metro Area in fresh fruits and vegetables.

During the Civil War, Maryland was considered a border state and the Eastern Shore tended to side with its southern neighbor, Virginia on the slavery issue. Did you know that the state song, “My Maryland, My Maryland” had a couple of different versions, depending on which side of the Civil War you were on?

I saw references to the building of a visitor center to honor Harriet Tubman when in St. Michaels. My niece and nephew drove some of the byways on the Eastern Shore to follow some of the markers of the Underground Railroad, but we really thought a museum would help all to understand the brilliant woman who started the movement of slaves to safety. In March, 2017 the building was dedicated and opened to the public. I have already started to plan my trip, about 8 hours from where I live. Here is the info about the new center:

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park

The visitor’s center is located in Church Creek, MD, about 6 miles to the south of Cambridge, a bustling fishing community with plenty of places to stay. Check out their town site to get more information: Cambridge, Maryland

Cambridge does have an airport nearby, but cheaper flights can be booked through Baltimore Washington and Washington’s Reagan National Airports. A 2 hour or so drive based on traffic.

If you are planning a “Follow in Someone’s Footsteps” weekend, studying the figure is a really great way to prepare to visit the location. Just because you are on a Thrifty Weekend, does not mean your will not take home inspiring stories of courageous Americans. Here are some books to think about:

Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton (New York: Little Brown and Company, 2004)

Auburn, New York’s paper, The Citizen put together this list of children’s books on Harriet Tubman that I feel are worth a look: Children’s Books on Harriet Tubman

If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

Category: Following in the Footsteps

The Eclipse that the Clouds Almost Hid

Following in the Footsteps of Harriet Tubman

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

’Twant me, ’twas the Lord. I always told him, “I trust to you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect you to lead me,” and he always did.

Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton (New York: Little Brown and Company, 2004)

Auburn, New York’s paper, The Citizen put together this list of children’s books on Harriet Tubman that I feel are worth a look: Children’s Books on Harriet Tubman

If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

Harriet Tubman