Dan and Colette invited us to visit the Lincoln Boyhood Home in Lincoln City, IN and the George Rogers Clark National Park in Vincennes, IN. We gladly accepted their invitation and left yesterday morning around 6:30 a.m. Approximately 3 hours later, we made it to the Lincoln Boyhood Home. Nice enough museum. We saw the movie about Lincoln which wasn't too bad -- a little too superficial but not so bad really. The nicest part of the visit was getting out and walking around outside. Fresh air, cool temps, overcast day, and muddy trails. In my book, that's a decent day, especially given the weather that we've had. On the grounds you can see where Lincoln's mom is buried, replicas of his Dad's farm, and a small little village that, during the summer, is teeming with period actors showing visitors how life was like back in Lincoln's teen years. After we left there, we made a pit stop at Denny's for a quick bit to eat and then it was back on the road to Vincennes - the home of the George Rogers Clark National Park. There was less to see here -- the Revolutionary battle site of Ft. Sackville -- but the Ranger was so much more interesting and very excited about what she does for a living. So much energy! So, Sackville.... ever heard of it? I'm not sure if too many people have. During the American Revolution, the Brits controlled Ft Detroit which was a target of the Americans. George Rogers Clark, a wild & crazy Indian killer (and big bro to William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame), who was stationed/fighting in this area came up with a bold plan to take Ft Detroit by first gaining control of Ft. Sackville (Vincennes) along the Wabash River and a few other strategic locations along various important nearby rivers (the towns of Kaskaskia and Cahokia to be exact). While Clark did gain control of Sackville, Kaskaskia, and Cahokia he was unable to take Ft Detroit. Obviously, the Americans eventually won the war, but had Clark, or the Americans, lost the bid for Sackville when it was fought, we might have certainly lost this portion of the US to Canada (the Brits at the time) leaving no opportunity open for the Louisiana Purchase, Manifest Destiny, and all that good stuff that happens down the road. The story here is interesting enough but the real appeal to me is the story of good ol' Clark himself. Clark was not a nice guy any way you look at it. But, the guy knew how to soldier. How he managed to inspire his men, face some major Mother Nature, and take Ft Sackville is a truly amazing feat.
