Monday, November 4, 2024

We are cruising from Norfolk to Jacksonville today. It looks like it’s raining toward land, but our weather today is mild and windy, with a little rain interspersed with sunshine. Continuing Crystal’s tradition, there are several presentations available to us today.

This morning, Rick Beyer talked about the ongoing battle between Lexington and Concord, cities in Massachusetts that both claim to be the site where our American Revolution began. I recall learning in school that it began at Concord, but now I realize I’ll never know for sure. On April 19, 1775, there was an altercation in Lexington where several Americans were killed by British soldiers, but did Americans actually fire back??? On the same day, our militia did fire on the British in Concord. What most of don’t know is that there was another battle on that day, at Menotomy (since renamed Arlington), Massachusetts on the road between Lexington and Concord.

At the centennial, Lexington invited Concord to collaborate on a celebration, but no dice! Again at the bicentennial, both cities went their own ways. And, for the semiquincentennial next year, there will be two separate celebrations. Back in 1892, Lexington petitioned the state to establish a holiday celebrating the beginning of the war, calling it “Lexington Day.” Concord countered with “Concord Day”, and the State of Masachussetts settled on “Patriot’s Day”

Next, we listened to General Nick Halley talk on “China-Future Enemy? Future Superpower.” China aims to take over as the largest super power in the world. They are growing their army and navy. Their incursions into the South China Sea, where they are establishing strongholds on many small atolls, are designed to give them authority over that area. The US maintains a strong presence there as well, to remind China that the South China Sea is international waters. China’s presence there could impact fishing rights and shipping of products, oil, and natural gas for the rest of the world. Also, Halley warned that China is even more actively involved in cyber-terrorism than Russia is.

Bill Cashell gave us some history about Florida, which is considered the lightning capital of the United States, although in reality, it ranks fourth behind Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. However, Florida does lead the pack with lightning-related deaths.

I learned that the Florida Keys were originally connected by rail, when Henry Flagler decided to expand his railroad from Miami to Key West. The railroad took seven years to complete, and was opened in 1912. At the time, it was called the 8th Wonder of the World. It operated until Labor Day, 1935, when it was destroyed by a hurricane. Several decades later, the old railroad was used as the foundation for what was, until recently, known as the Overseas Highway. Parrotheads everywhere will be happy to know that it was renamed the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway earlier this year.

Ed Sobey talked about “The Ocean Trifecta: Bermuda Triangle, Gulf Stream, and Sargasso Sea.” We had entered the Gulf Stream earlier in the day. Sobey discussed how much climates will be changed as the waters become warmer, and the Gulf Stream slower. The Sargasso Sea, named for the Sargassum weed that fills it, is nearby. The weeds are thriving on the nutrients that are being washed into the sea by our agricultural activities. Apparently, the only thing we need not worry about is the Bermuda Triangle – a myth. Despite its notoriety, there are very few accidents and disappearances than in many other parts of the world.

The day ended with a wonderful program by Crystal’s dancers and singers: “Icons in Concert.”We enjoyed songs from more artists than I can remember, including Journey, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and ending with a set from Queen.