Charles Town (my residence for the 3 months I was in the area) offers a large variety of historical reflections on both the Colonial/Revolutionary period and the era of the Civil War.

John Brown was jailed, tried and executed here in 1859. His story, more than any other, illuminates the unrestrained passions of the time. Anger based on a deep-seated fear vs. an uncompromising righteous indignation would lead to the destructive calamity of Civil War. I understand more about the passions that drove us to war now that I have taken the time to visit Charles Town and hear John Browns story in the place where it ended for him and at the same time set in motion events that could no longer be controlled, resulting in the loss of 620,000 American lives – more than, W.W. I — W.W. II — Vietnam and Korea combined.

The town was incorporated and named by Charles Washington (George Washington’ younger brother) on land that was surveyed by George in his teens and inherited from Lawrence Washington (George’s older brother). The main street running East and West was named Washington St. with the major intersecting North and South streets named after members of the family (George, Lawrence, Charles etc.). As such, the town is a thriving monument to the Washington Family.

When you visit Charles Town I recommend that you stop by the Visitors Center (Close to the corner of George and Washington Streets) and pick up a copy of the Walking Guide to Georgetown that maps the location of over 30 homes (giving brief histories of each) that are within walking distance. The homes were built from the mid-1700s to the early 1900s and all are proudly maintained on well-shaded streets that seem to be made for easy strolling on a sunny afternoon.

When I had enough of touring neighborhoods it was time to visit the local “fun spot.” Over 80 years ago the Jefferson County Race Track was established in Charles Town and successfully drew fans from the greater metropolitan area which includes Baltimore and Washington DC. In 1997 Penn National bought the track and began a $175,000,000 Charles Town Race Track renovation and construction of the Hollywood Casino. Much renovation and add-on construction has taken place since then, making the Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino one of the premier gaming venues on the East Coast. I enjoyed my time in Jefferson County. People watching at the Hollywood Casino and cheering for the Thoroughbreds as they blurred by at the Charles Town Races were two of my favorite memories.

One of the reasons that I decided to spend 12 weeks in the Charles Town WV area was that it is relatively close to Washington DC and I wanted to revisit and explore our nations capital. Top of my priority list was to see the National American Indian Museum, which turned out to be the only disappointment in my 3-month stay.

In retrospect, I suppose that my expectations were too high. I expected to discover some of the cultural similarities and differences between the myriad of separate and unique tribes that compose what we call “American Indians.” I expected a peek at how they conducted their lives on a daily basis with examples of how they demonstrated their values in what they did. I hoped for a deeper understanding of their Spiritual life and how that influenced their rituals as well as their daily lives.

What I observed was extremely well organized displays that seem to be designed in unison by someone with an excellent understanding of color, texture and eye-appealing presentation — very pretty — very politically correct and sterile.

The high point of the museum visit was the building. It is architecturally grand, inside and out. To experience the building is worth the effort to visit the museum.

What I assumed would be 4 or 5 trips to Washington turned out to be only 1 trip. The attractions of Jefferson County WV. kept me securely on a tether that extended in a 30-mile radius of Charles Town.

Harpers Ferry, just 5 miles from Charles Town, kept calling me back for yet another visit. Having returned 4 times during my 3-month stay, I think it is safe to say that I was somewhat infatuated with the place. The geographic location of the town adjacent to intertwining rivers as they turn and rush through the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains, plus the historic role that Harpers Ferry played both before and during our Civil War are just 2 of the reasons for my fondness of the place.   I should also mention:

• The scenic vistas from historic battlefields and from Maryland Heights.
• The dazzling confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers as they pass through the Blue Ridge Mountains,
• The entertaining and informative tours given by the National Park Rangers covering John Brown’s raid on the armory in 1859 and his subsequent trail and execution.
• Biking along the Potomac River on the historic C&O towpath and hiking – especially to the overlook on Maryland Heights.
• Wandering through a town that was hand picked by George Washington to house the 1^st US armory and due to the spectacular location at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers was a major manufacturing site and a major transportation crossroads at pivotal times during our history.

I left West Virginia on the November 22 and headed for the Minneapolis Area then to St Louis, MO – Dallas, Texas – La Veta, CO – Phoenix, AZ and arriving in Santa Fe, NM. for New Years Eve and  a 3-month stay. The plan is that you will hear from me on this web-site, at least, every week. Have a great holiday.