Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

When on Oahu, visiting Pearl Harbor is one of my favorite touristy things to do.  I have probably been a dozen times with different visiting friends and family.  To me, it never gets old. (And being FREE doesn't hurt)

looking across the harbor at the Arizona Memorial

And now, they have built a brand new Visitors Center and exhibition space, and it's pretty nice! 

model of Oahu showing significant locations.  Pearl Harbor is at the center, bottom

 

The "Mighty Mo" - Battleship Missouri can also be toured

one of the best "features" - getting to meet Pearl Harbor survivors!

Mr. Weatherwax is from Honolulu

Mr. Dyga was stationed at Schofield Base when the attack happened.  He told me that he saw the Japanese planes as they flew low & undetected (until too late) through the Kolekole pass.  If you have ever visited us in Hawaii and we took you to the North Shore...we probably pointed out the Kolekole pass to you, across from Dole.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Ft. Lauderdale - a little history with a Tennessee connection

So... Andrew Jackson really had an issue with the Native Americans (yes he was a little judgemental back in the day).  The Seminole tribe were concentrated in the area of present-day Ft. Lauderdale and Gen. Jackson wanted them gone.  He decided to call on his trusted friend, Captain William Lauderdale from Sumner County, TN, to come take care of the issue.

Captain Lauderdale and 400 mounted horsemen rode down from Tennessee and fought the Native Americans for the land. They built a small fort in the area.  The fort not only survived later wars, but the area around it began to grow and flourish and came to be known as the town of Ft. Lauderdale.

Today Ft. Lauderdale and Davie, FL look like this:

Ethan and Rob throwing the disc

Nice beaches, no evidence of any wars.  And the town of Ft. Lauderdale still bears a Tennesseean's name!  Woot woot!