Can you do a favor for me?

It's not a stitching favor, so I don't know if I have a right to ask. Well, heck, it's alright to ask anyway, because, gentle readers, you don't have to do a lick of what I tell you to do. I won't know any way. But, if you have time, or you are willing to make time, go visit places around you, be a tourist in your hometown. You live in the most beautiful place in the world, you just might not know it yet.. Someone, no matter where you live, is dreaming and planning, and saving money to go on a trip that will inevitably end up in your area, even if it's just to stop for gas, or because there was a brown sign 50 miles back on the road telling them to turn off for some obscure thing.

I was struck by this idea because I always wonder what compells people to come to the DC area. I live here, I wouldn't trade this life for anything, but I never think of it as a place that, if I didn't live here, I would scrimp all year to visit. And yet people do. And then, today, because I have been down lately (I swear, Bee, I am trying real hard after our talk at the airport about that), I decided to go back to Gettysburg, because the last time I was there it was a miserable experience, and I wanted to go just where I want to go, without thought of time or other people. Now, Gettyburg is the veritable Mecca of Civil War buffs, and it's probably not the ideal place to be between now and the 4th of July, because of the battle anniversary, but there were license plates from all over the country there. There's lot of stuff to do that aren't outside, but I think you have to pay for those, and I was doing it on the cheap. So I just did the visitor's center, then got in the car and drove around. I always realize what a real hell the bettle was, because it's south central Pennsylvania, meaning it's hot as crap this time of year, and they were walking in wool uniforms, lugging equipment, poorly fed, across fields. If you have ever walked across fields, it's not fun, let alone in the heat. I know I will faint if it gets too hot, and you wonder how these people didn't say, Forget y'all, and leave. My great-great grandfather was there. I get a sense of connection to him to see where he fought, looking at things he looked at, and knowing he survived. Not only that, he survived other hellish battles, and had a daughter who was strong enough to raise 8 children after my great grandfather died of cancer, and her youngest was my grandfather. maybe strength is genetic, cause it takes a lot to survive a war, and losing your helpmeet, but if they did it, I can get through the bad times. And I was reminded that I am blessed to live so close to a place where my family walked and helped save the country.

And I know I am not the only one who lives close to something spectacular. Everyone does. And so, I am asking you to go on a quest to explore your blessing. And if you do, let me know!