It was so hot today. Like Raiders of the Lost Ark face melting scene hot. Like wicked witch shrieking, “I’m melting, I’m melting!” Like Fools Rush In “The white people are melting.” Like grabbing a gun and tempting, “Go ahead. Make my day.” because I’m so crabby from the heat. I hated it. I’m at one with my wimpiness.
Went to Washington’s Crossing. This is the spot where Washington’s troops amazingly crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve in 1776. About 2,000 soldiers crossed the river in secret, marched into Trenton, and defeated the Hessian troops there. This was done in spite of the other two divisions that Washington expected not being able to get through. This victory raised morale throughout the Army. Today there are a number of buildings that stood at the time of the crossing as well as a small museum.
Next was Monmouth Battlefield. It was hot. Really, really, really hot. My brain doesn’t comprehend when melting. The thing I remember the most is the guide told us to be careful of ticks because he’s gotten lyme disease there five times. I spent the rest of the “tour” freaking out over ticks and irritated that we didn’t know to bring bug spray. Apparently there was a battle at Monmouth in June. The guide said only 59 died of “exhaustion” (code for brains melting and dripping out your nose). Yeah, right! Big liar – there had to be more than that. I was almost the next casualty, but luckily we got back on the bus.
No pictures today because that would have sent me over the edge.
Classroom application: I jest because I am a smartalec. But, seriously, seeing these sights really clears up the logistical picture of campaigns for me. At Monmouth I really did still have a hard time picturing exactly where the troop movement occurred because I seriously was having majortrouble comprehending. But the fact that I was on and off of a air-conditioned bus while wearing a cotton tee shirt and shorts (rather than a wool uniform) and still felt so entirely miserable gave me a HUGE appreciation for the troops that fought here in June. That is the kind of experience that translates to the classroom. Rather than telling students, “It was really hot when this battle took place,” I can explain the severity of the heat and the additional horrendous circumstances that they endured. So, in essence today gave me empathy for both armies as well as a better (if not perfect) visual picture of the troop movements.
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2 Comments
June 8, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Wow I was really missing you today – then I looked and saw that you are being attacked by heat and ticks and it makes me miss you more! Hopefully it will cool down soon – and the bugs will get the heck on with themselves! We love you – miss you!
Looks like you are having a wonderful time… enjoy yourself….
June 9, 2008 at 3:08 pm
You probably don’t want to hear this but we left the Sky Sox game at the end of the 8th inning because it was sooo cold. Yeah, a June afternoon, Colorado, too cold. However, those CPs deserve it! Saw on the National news that Penn. was the hottest it has been since the 1920s!