Week one

Well, it has been more than a week since I've arrived here in Harpers Ferry, so I guess it would be fitting to post my first impressions.

My first impression is that I love this place. Not just for the history, or all the Civil War stuff around here, but because it is just so dang beautiful. Here there are rolling hills, beautiful trees, and cool rivers to satisfy your natural tastes, as well as cardinals and other birds singing while the fireflies glow at night.

The people here are very nice as well. Every time someone drives past, I have to wave, because they always do. Walking back from the Library last week, one person invited me to have some sweet tea on their front porch (an aquired taste, I'm guessing, as its not my favorite), and then another person gave me a ride from Bolivar back to the house. Neither of these people had any idea who I was, they were just friendly.

I am having a good time here, just walking around and seeing another part of the country is great. It is good to get away for a while, and just do what i want to do for a little while.
During this first week, I have had plenty of other things to do outside of learning a boat load about John Brown, the arsenal, the Civil War history, and Harpers Ferry. This week, my house mates and myself were invited to go white water rafting for free, hosted by one of the local tour groups. It was a blast, getting up to class three rapids and of course getting completely soaked. I would recommend it to anyone, so long as you have a good guide. I know I'd like to go again, if possible.

Oh, and I've also seen fireflies, which were awesome. I'm told that there will be more as summer wears on, so i'm hoping that is the case.

On Saturday and Sunday we portrayed the Union garrison evacuating Harpers Ferry in anticipation of Stone Wall Jackson's first attack in spring of 1862. It was a lot of fun, reenacting the quartermaster's office, the provost marshal, the hospital, and the contraband camp. Probably the most interesting thing we did was the contraband camp. For those of you who don't know, 'contraband' were escaped or free slaves who had made it to Union lines for protection, and were being put to work digging intrenchments or doing chores for the soldiers. This exhibit and demonstration really had the chance to be politically incorrect, and I personally was a little worried about the public reaction. But, it appears that actually turned out well, and so far as I know, the reactions were positive.

Monday thru wednesday has been our days off, with wednesday being the extra day due to Memorial day. On tuesday my housemates Breaden and Isaac and myself went to Washington DC, to tour around and see some of the smithsonian museums. Kevin was on a short visit home, but he's getting back very soon.

DC was a lot of fun, but it was entirely too hot. And too spread out. My knees being what they are, were seriously close to giving out right as we boarded the train to go home. But other than that, I had a really good time, and we're planning on going to DC again soon.

It has been a good week, with its ups and downs, but all in all, it has been quite enjoyable.

I'll probably post pictures later, but this is it for now!
TTFN