It’s been a while since I worked on a Monday! But it’s a good thing I did. There was so much to do – and several mini-disasters. Those are the hard parts! I was there from about 8:30am until after 1pm. Then I had an outside deal, a stalled computer, a glitch in the temp tag files, missing documents, and a call from Mike P asking for help! But I braved all of that and was home about 2pm.
So – Friday in Altoona! There was plenty of room, enough bathrooms that we could all get showered and dressed without delaying each other or Greg (getting off to work), and had breakfast. Since we were heading home straight from Baker Mansion we packed the car and was settled in for the day. On the way to the first stop, we swung into a discount warehouse to look around – we were running ‘early’. Kelly found a pair of shoes and we all saw interesting items that we didn’t need!
We saw a plaque with the meaning of ALTOONA on it – interesting. And we pulled into Fort Roberdeau 2 minutes after it opened! It was a beautiful warm day, sunny and comfortable, and tucked deep in the forests. The drive was over winding roads, through forests, and among cornfields!
Meaning.
Stock image – but it looked exactly like this – beautiful farms and barns!
Jim took our picture!
Waiting to go in the fort – me in our matching shirts
Fort entrance.
This fort was actually created to defend the lead mines in the area, which were very important in making bullets, etc, during the Revolutionary war. The reconstructed buildings were well done and presented authentically. There were never any altercations at the fort – but it did defend the lead mines and the settlers in the area.
Settler’s cabin – Kelly and Kathy
Wigwam
Our tour guide, Jim, was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of history, facts and stories about the property, the settlers, the residents of the fort, and daily life. There were several buildings for settlers, military, protection from Native Americas, a means of protecting the mines, and sustaining everyday life.
Jim – inside officer’s cabin
Officer’s cabin
further back – Officer’s cabin, then enlisted men.
Kathy looking at cabins
Stacking guns
Kitchen
Kelly whipping up lunch!
Kitchen
Blacksmith
Stones – where they melted down the ore and extracted the lead and made it into solid bars to be shipped.
Inside looking out.
I think the most interesting part to me were the sinking springs. That was amazing. Also, looking into a part of a huge lead mine on the property.
Sinking stream
Hope you can read some of this! Very interesting and amazing!
Where the lead mine was.
We walked down in the Powder Magazine – I guess I don’t really know what to do with a gun!
Powder magazine.
In the restored barn, there was an original covered wagon – but the tarp was a reproduction. The bottom level of the barn was a small museum, a gift shop, and a small area that showed a movie about the history of the fort and the area. General Daniel Roberdeau was given command of the fort, and kept in contact with several of our founding fathers, including General Washington. It was a very amazing and interesting morning! From the number of photos, do you get the idea we loved this place? I’ll post lunch and the afternoon activities tomorrow!
Restored barn – gift shop
1770’s wagon in the barn.
Once I ate lunch (eggs and toast!) I did a small amount of work outside, started a load of laundry, and attempted to work on the solar lights. I watched a YOUTUBE video on how to trouble shoot, which I tried to implement. We’ll see after it gets dark if my attempts were successful.
Changed the batteries!
Aaron came and cut the grass – he did a good job – weed whacked and blew everything clean and even bagged the clippings (I have a mulcher so I don’t do that!). We took a short walk around the yard so he knew what areas I need mulched.
Front yard cut
By the fence
And my Glads are still blooming – but no dark purple yet. All of a sudden I noticed it had rained. I think we are to get some ‘serious’ weather through the evening until morning.
Pink Glads blooming – or trying to.
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW July 28th is:
World Milk Chocolate Day; Buffalo Soldiers Day; National Waterpark Day; World Nature Conservation Day; World Soccer Day.
I love chocolate! That’s enough for me. God bless….
On this day in History:1909 Orville Wright successfully tests the Wright Military Flyer, the world’s first military airplane, with a record flight of 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 40 seconds, flying approximately 64 km (40 mi)
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