Ray, we share some similar interests. Since I was a young spud I have been interested in early American history, particularly the mountain men and early explorers. They survived by not only being able to hunt and gather their food but by also cooking it as well, with much learned from the American Indians. They were definitely a tough breed of people, men and women. It's interesting that Missouri, St. Louis in particular, became such an important part of our American history.

Haha, they were just so relieved to get out of Illinois and across the Mississipi they they just stayed a while and then train for the push west happened, supplies and everything. Ah, I remember it well.

Randy, when you were young they were just MAKING history

Haha, yeah some of it.

Yes Todd, they would just chisel it on pieces of flat stones.

Good morning Yard. One more day of winter and then a warmup.

Afternoon on this cold sunny say Dogs.

Cold and sunny, but Spring IS on the way.

Cold, yup. 28 degrees as we’re about to leave for Church. Oh and it’s sunny as well.

Turned out to be a pretty day around here, although there is a slight wind that is cool. The next few days should be sweet with a high around 70 degrees on Wednesday. I have to order a new fishing rod case from Bass Pro Shops so it should be delivered while the weather is nice.

Good afternoon, Yard.

I found a few ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War and some that fought on both sides in the Civil War. I was fortunate that my father had an interest in American history and he took our family to just about all the historical sites in New England and the original 13 colonies when I was growing up. I proposed to my girlfriend in front of the King's Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg after having dinner (and several mint juleps) there. She shares my love of history and has been involved in re-enacting with me. She also developed a talent for genealogical research and has done much work on our family history.