Comments for America In Context

Comment on Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, Danville, CA by Barky

Barky — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:26:28 +0000

Thanks for that, Natalie.

Your quick response is comforting, it means someone is paying attention. I would have been disappointed if no one answered the challenge, or worse, said I was correct.

I think that part of California really benefits from having so many NPS sites in the area. I spent about three weeks in the greater San Francisco area all together, and went to a lot of great sites. You can actually do a “great circle tour” and hit 10 very diverse sites: deep woods, coastline, mountain ridges, and historic sites of relevance to the Spanish-American war, the great earthquake, WWII, famous criminals and, of course, California’s maritime history. Then you can swing through wine country, check out the excellent Monterey Bay aquarium, kayak the San Fran bay, and visit one (or more) of the vast number of brewpubs in the area.

I only wish I could send you some of our rain!!!

Comment on Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, Danville, CA by Natalie

Natalie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:00:49 +0000

Hi! I love the article and blog on historic sites. And, I did want to respond to your mention that the neighborhood doesn’t seem to appreciate the National Historic Site. I work for the Tri-Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (the local tourism office), and we are more than appreciative to be the home of the Eugene O’Neill House. We love our historic sites – whether it’s the Eugene O’Neill House or our historic Livermore Valley wine region.

And, if you speak to Danville’s Community leaders (the Mayor, city council, chamber of commerce), you definitely hear that they love that there is a National Historic Site in their community…although I do think that residents need to be better informed about it.

Truthfully, Danville is a very upscale community, but very friendly and those that live here love their hometown. As the town celebrated 150 years last year, there was a lot of interest in the “old days”, but when new families move here every year, they are not aware of some of the fascinating stories and sites that shaped our community.

As you did mention, it’s the winding roads and limited parking that requires the buses from the local museum, which does limit the number of visitors the park can get.

Thanks for visiting and sharing your experiences!

Comment on Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, Danville, CA « America In Context

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:39:17 +0000

[...] little while ago, in my post on Edgar Allan Poe, I talked about a creative genius whose life would suffer through poverty and hardship and end in [...]

Comment on Happy Independence Day! by Pk

Pk — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:28:44 +0000

Excellent post, excellent remembrance, and good request for reflection. Even in my current predicament it’s still very clear to me the great hope and promise this land still can bear for me and the world.

I hope your IRL stuff isn’t unpleasant and I wish you the best. -Pk

Comment on Adams National Historical Park, Quincy, Massachusetts by Happy Independence Day! « America In Context

Happy Independence Day! « America In Context — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:57:50 +0000

[...] about the famed patriot and second President of the United States. As I posted waaaaay back in December of ‘07, John Adams is my favorite Founding Father, and I think HBO did him justice, flaws and all. Beyond [...]

Comment on Assateague Island National Seashore, Ocean City, Maryland by Krag

Krag — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:47:03 +0000

I’m far from being a beach person.With over seven families of Viking in me hot sandy beaches aren’t my thing. I
always tell people. I love the beach as long as there are bears and snow on them.When I was first married in the early 80’s my wife and I went to Assateaque Island several times camping on the beach. I realized that this is more then likely the only beach I’d ever like south of the Mas. Dix Line. Besides the dry air it’s attraction for me comes with what most people don’t notice. The island it self. Nature has carved a world there that bring beauty and creatures together.Aside from the horses there are creatures that few see. I haven’t been there in nearly 25 years because of what life brings us every day. I do want to go back and with cameras in hand find the real Assateaque Island.I hope soon maybe even this fall or winter to go there and become a part of the island

Comment on The FAQ by Barky

Barky — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:35:32 +0000

Thanks for the kind words. Looking forward to your own take on Poe, feel free to either post it under that site’s entry on my blog or post a link to your own there.

Just do me a favor and post comments under the specific NPS site’s page on my blog, and not here on the FAQ. Most people don’t read this page

Comment on The FAQ by Preston Filbert

Preston Filbert — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:14:31 +0000

I enjoyed you essay on the Edgar Allen Poe site, which I visited just in the past month. Your take on it was different than mine — more humane — since I was more interested in what constitutes historocity (if that’s a word). Maybe I’ll post my own essay soon.

On a more general note, I like the way you write and think. Your essay on Eisenhower was not just a knee-jerk piece but a thoughtful consideration. Thanks for doing this kind of thing; I’ll keep reading.

Comment on Devils Tower National Monument, Devils Tower, Wyoming by Barky

Barky — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:10:22 +0000

That is cool.
I just looked on the map for Rt. 14 across northern Wyoming, and yes, that looks like a fantastic drive. I have yet to visit Yellowstone, but when I do, I think I’ll work Rt. 14 into my travel plans somehow.

Comment on Devils Tower National Monument, Devils Tower, Wyoming by Kirby Adams

Kirby Adams — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:12:10 +0000

Great story, Barky.

When We were cruising back to Michigan from Washington last year, we had an unintended Devils Tower experience. We’d crossed the Bighorns the night before on Rt.14 (a spectacular drive!), but decided to get back on I90 and book it to the Badlands the next morning. As we’re driving along, I actually started to say, “What’s that big rectangle on the horizon,” but I stopped and mumbled, “Hey, waaaaait a minute….” as I dug out a map. I hadn’t expected to be able to see it from I90, but it’s only about 20 miles away and twelve hundred feet tall, so I guess I shoulda figured.