July 27, 2024 – Red Skelton Makes Me Smile
I am off the Lewis and Clark Trail, cutting through the interior of Indiana. I should still be following the Ohio River Scenic Byway, but as I said earlier, there is too much traffic on the byway and no shoulders at some sections of the highway. After eating breakfast at the Old Thyme Diner, I began further exploration of the city of Vincennes. I started by touring the George Rogers Clark Monument. It turns out that Lewis and Clark traveled through Vincennes on their return trip from the their travels back to Washington D.C. They stayed at Grouseland...William Henry Harrison's home. William Henry Harrison was the 9th president of the United States, and he was the former governor of the state of Indiana. He served as President of the U.S. From March 4th to April 4th of 1841...the shortest presidency of anyone who served the office. He died of septic shock due to “enteric fever” most likely.
I digress. The George Rogers Clark Monument was fascinating. I won't go into the history of it in my writings, but I did find out that George Rogers Clark is William Clark's brother. This is another way that the Lewis and Clark Trail is tied to Vincennes.
After touring the monument and learning about the great military officer, George Rogers Clark, I resumed my exploration of the city of Vincennes by going to the Indiana Military Museum. They have tons of military memorabilia, posters, guns, tanks, planes, helicopters, uniforms, military tools, sets, and exhibits that relate to every war the U.S. has been involved in. It was fascinating to say the least. To say the most, it was a tragic, sobering reminder as to the atrocities of war, ingenuity of human spirit, heart, and mind, and as to the struggles we had to go thru, the sacrifice, and the heroism to get to this point in history. At only an $8 entry fee, the museum is worth every cent and more to see with your own two eyes. I highly recommend checking out this museum. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat history; no matter how tragic or violent the past.
From the Indiana Military Museum, I rode my bike to a store that offered film-to-digital download. Unfortunately, the store was closed on Friday, and they didn't sell any 35mm or 120mm film. I was looking to get more film for my cameras. No worries. I went to Walmart and bought three rolls of 400 speed Fuji-film for my 35mm camera.
Before going to Walmart, I stopped at Taco Bell. You can just guess what I ate. I don't even have to tell you. Just before leaving the establishment, I was able to talk with a young man who currently works there. His name is Jean. Jean is from Haiti, and his family moved to the U.S. to pursue a better life. Haiti is a very poor country. He told me that his family didn't even have electricity like we do in the states. They are forced to use batteries to power different things around the house. He told me he didn't want to return to Haiti as long as they remain poor. His mind was blown by the phenomenal infrastructure of America. He jokingly said that all this came about because of a good President. I chuckled a little bit. I told him the joys of bicycle travel. He told me that he was too scared to travel that way, but if he did it, he would do it with an E-bike. I further encouraged him, and I told him that was a most excellent idea. Why not? Use the battery; when it dies, start pedaling until you find a place to charge the battery. Jean is a good young man. I wish him the best, and I pray that the Lord blesses him abundantly, more than he could ever ask or imagine.
After Taco Bell and Walmart, I rode my bicycle back downtown. I locked up my bicycle and started walking around the town. As I was on the mosey, I shot some 35mm photos and 120mm pinhole photos. I hope I got some great shots. I'm still shooting triple exposures for the most part. When I was walking down main street, enjoying the architecture and awe-inspiring, surreal structures towering above me, I saw a man out of the corner of my eye. He was sitting on a bench, socks and shoes off, just to the left of the Pantheon Theatre. I talked with him briefly, and it turns out that he is homeless. One of the few homeless in Vincennes. He is in his 40s, I believe, and is struggling on the streets. He sleeps on a park bench and has to use the bathroom at the hospital because the public bathrooms close at 3:30pm daily He was addicted to meth-amphetamine, and that drug has ruined his life and put him in this terrible situation. I encouraged him, prayed for him, and gave him a $20 bill for food, drink, or whatever just to bless him a little bit. He blessed me by telling me of a great place to camp here in town...at the “French Rendezvous” (a battle re-enactment field). The large grassy area has several picnic tables, port-a-johns, soft, green, fresh grass, and receptacles to charge my gadgets. After touring the city for a wee bit longer, I watched the sun go down on the riverwalk, set up my ground mat at the camp site, and retired for the night. I really enjoyed shooting all the photos and exploring Vincennes.
I have decided to stay another day in Vincennes. I woke up around 7:30am this morning as the sun was rising. I packed up all my gear and strapped it to my bicycle. Today, I toured the old Xavier Cathedral, then I ate breakfast at Burger King with a married couple (Mark and Jessica). He payed for my meal and then offered to give me even more money. They were great Christian folks, and we enjoyed each other's company. From there I went to the Red Skelton American Comedy Museum; This museum tells the life story and career of Red Skelton...the famous American comedian. I'm going to look for some of his films when I return home to Pensacola. I left there, and went to Grouseland, which is the home of the Governor of Indiana, William Henry Harrison. He also was the 9th President of the U.S. A young Biology student, Gretchen, gave me a tour of William Henry Harrison's house. She did a fantastic job and is very knowledgable about the history of the home and the antiquities inside. She is a believer in Jesus and the transformative power of the Gospel. I pray that God's best comes to her and that she lives joyfully serving the Lord, her community, and her family. I left Grouse land, got a snack at a Marathon gas station located in downtown, and now I'm at the Knox County Public Library. They are open until 5:30pm. I guess I will stay here until closing time, finishing this journal entry and writing some more for the Acts musical.
This evening I will get some dinner, and then, I will retire back to last night's camping spot. The campsite is located a block away from the Wabash River, and a couple blocks away from the George Rogers Clark Monument. I may do some more writing tonight at the campsite as well. God speed and God be with you and give you peace. Amen and amen!
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