Yosemite National Park
President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill to preserve Yosemite Valley and a grove of sequoia trees that he had never seen on June 10, 1864. The first tourists to Yosemite Valley traveled four to five days by carriage, horse, and foot from San Francisco. Yosemite known for beautiful waterfalls and sequoias Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 and has 3,700,000 visitors every year. The park is best known for its waterfalls, but also has ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness, meadows, and valleys. Yosemite Falls is North America’s tallest waterfall At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America. Melting snow feeds Yosemite Falls and it usually reaches its peak in late May. Giant Staircase The Merced River drops over...
Read MoreIllinois, The Prairie State
by Sandra Merville Hart Illinois’s nickname is The Prairie State for the prairie grasses that once covered its plains. The prairies of North America are now considered one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems (environments.) The state’s early history In 1673, French explorer Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette traveled the Mississippi along Illinois’ western border. In 1699, the French built the first permanent settlement in the Illinois area, a mission in Cahokia. The French planted farms and traded with Native Americans. British settlers came and won the territory east of the Mississippi River after the French and Indian War. The region became part of the United States after the American Revolution. Illinois becomes a state Illinois became a state...
Read MorePresident Abraham Lincoln Loved Animals
Did you know … When people asked Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s wife, if the president had any hobbies, she answered, “Cats.” Lincoln enjoyed playing with cats. Orphaned kittens Lincoln visited one of his generals, Ulysses S. Grant, in March of 1865. He noticed three stray kittens in the telegraph hut and asked about their mother, who had died. He played with them and didn’t leave until he knew that someone would find them a good home. White House goats There were two pet goats, Nanny and Nanko, at the White House where the president lived with his family. His sons, Tad and Willie, often hitched the goats to kitchen chairs and then rode the chairs through the White House. The goats often got in trouble for chewing up things like...
Read MoreOld Abe, the War Eagle
Did you know … During the Civil War, the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment had a very special mascot, a bald eagle. The soldiers named him “Old Abe” in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. Old Abe’s freedom in camp leads to trouble. While the soldiers from Old Abe’s regiment camped at Camp Clear Creek in 1862, his eagle-bearer, Thomas Hill, gave the eagle a lot of freedom. This led to some trouble for the soldiers. The eagle tipped over fire pails filled with water which the soldiers had to refill. Old Abe chased large insects through the camp and knocked down laundry left out to dry. The soldiers played games by rolling round bullets on the ground. Old Abe learned to catch the bullets as they rolled. Old Abe wants to be safe, too. When the...
Read MoreA Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Did you know … Mathew Brady owned two photography studios before the Civil War began – one in New York City and one in Washington D.C. With the start of the war, he wanted to take pictures of war scenes. He had photographed Abraham Lincoln twice before the Civil War started. He already had reputation as a good photographer. He purchased new equipment and hired more photographers to help him go to the battlefields and document the war with pictures. What-is-it Wagons Each of Mathew’s photographic teams had a “what-is-it” wagon. These were darkrooms on four wheels. They carried cameras and equipment to capture scenes from camp life and the battleground. These wagons had a back step below the wagon floor with a lightproof door hung in...
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
