I'm an east coast girl living on the west coast, so a lot of things are a little strange to me. The size of the trees, for one. The number of days of consecutive rainfall. The architectural styles. The pronunciation of the word "onion" (which I have trained my Washingtonian kiddos to call "ung-yuns" just like I do).
There are lots of things that I miss about the east coast. Most of the things I miss are more specifically Southern in nature; the sweet smell of magnolias, the sight of fireflies dancing in the backyard, tea so sweet it makes your teeth hurt and live oaks dripping with Spanish moss are among the tops things on my list.
But I also miss the history.
As we've been studying American history this year, I've been painfully aware of all the things my children know about only through books. Only Jo has been to D.C.--we took her along for the ride when we went to see the Van Gogh exhibit at the National Gallery in 1998. The wealth of historical treasures stored there are mysteries to my children. They've never been able to wait in line to see the Declaration of Independence through a plate of glass, or seen samples of Revere's silver or any of the myriad other historical knick-knacks that the galleries there offer. My children do not live within driving distance of any colonial re-enactment camps, or near any Revolution battlegrounds. These things are a five hour plane ride away. On our budget, they may as well be on the moon.
I've mooned my way through the early period of history this year, keeping a running tab on all the great field trips we could have been taking, as well as all the neat little side trails that we could have been off on if we still lived in either of the states my children were born in. Stuck out here on the west coast, away from all the action, I whined. What a waste!
And then, at long last, we came to the Corps of Discovery. God bless 'em. No really, I mean it! I feel like finally hitting this particular era of American history was a godsend to our homeschooling this spring because ... it happened out here! That natty little band of explorers hauled themselves plumb out here to the edge of the world--and back again--way back before the Civil War.
This place--the land of the funky cookie cutter homes, the place with a precious handful of buildings left standing from any time prior to WWII, the place with no musical genre to call its own--has history. Turns out it's just that I didn't know the history very well. Who knew? I guess my public education failed me again, huh? The only mention of Lewis and Clark I remember from my own school days was that they mapped out the area of the Louisiana Purchase. All these years, I never really realized what a huge job that was, or what the implications are to this day. Whoa. Someone really should come and snag my college credentials before I hurt someone, I tell you.
As you can imagine, I am frantically pulling up potential field trips and vacation spots. There are forts and reenactments and camps and museums all over the place tracing the Corps voyage. And the Oregon Trail. And the trains. And the gold rush. And ... well, it's a lot. It's history. And it's here.
I am thrilled.
Comments
Apr. 18, 2007 - Empathy
Posted by Anonymous
I was reading your blog this morning and can totally relate to what you are saying. I am in the south, Texas to be exact. So, I can understand your longing to visit those places we have learned about this year (AS1). And like you, our budget is tight and would take a miracle to get us there right now! Lewis & Clark = Explorers. That is all that I remember from school. What a fabulous, courageous group of men. The public & private schools (did both) really do not give them credit by ANY means! We are wrapping up AS1 (wk 31) and have had the best time!
Apr. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by karlyle
"Ung-yuns"??? Not "un-yuns"? What part of the south did you say you're from? How do they say it over on the coast? I don't think I've ever heard anything but "un-yuns". Now... "pecan"... on the other hand! We ran across that one in a "rhyming" activity the other day... s'posed to rhyme with "man, pan, ran"... ummm... I don't think so!
Of all things southern, I think I miss the "light'ning bugs" the most! Did you really call 'em "fireflies"? I never heard anybody that did.
We thoroughly enjoyed our study of Lewis & Clark a few years back. My kids may think I kinda ran it into the ground... but hey, like you said, it's the major historical thing around here! We've been to visitor centers in Great Falls, Fort Klatsup, Cape Disappointment, and Lolo Pass. Fascinating stuff!
Apr. 19, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>
Posted by urbanbutterfly
I echo your lament...even being from the midwest I haved visited DC four times...and now living in CA and all I can do is show my children my pictures...2 years of teaching Am. history and the joy of hitting Lewis and Clark is still fresh in my mind!! We couldn't even plan a field trip, but just knowing they saw the Pacific was enough!
Edited by urbanbutterfly on Apr. 19, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Apr. 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I found your blog yesterday as I've been considering using WP for AS1 next year. Thank you so much for all your helpful reviews and comments. I haven't made a final decision, but you've been a big help as I'm deciding!
Dana
www.alexml.blogspot.com