How fitting was it that these two Sand Hill Cranes would be wandering through the grounds near our site, number 76 along Sand Hill Crane Lane in the Sumter Oaks Escapee RV park?
They certainly had no fear of people. I got within five feet of them and they just casually wandered away. Even when I was walking with Sam they didn't seem too concerned.
More serendipitous timing, as we found there was a re-enactment of the second Seminole war at the Dade Battlefield State Park in nearby Bushnell, FL that coincided with our stay in the area. Sharon and Loren and Joani and I loaded up comfortable chairs and set out to learn something of that fateful day, December 28, 1835.
Several vendors lent an authenticity to the day's festivities selling rustic souvenirs.
Some of the officers paraded around on their horses checking the troops before the battle.
Several of the re-enactment participants mentioned just how ridiculous the period hats were. They were leather, heavy and with no ventilation they were terribly hot.
The battle took place only a few dozen yards from the audience. The rifles and cannon were loaded with the appropriate amount of powder, so it was loud as the battle progressed.
The battle did not go well for the U.S. troops that day.
Only one of these last two soldiers survived to tell the tale of the battle that day. Of course, the Indians were ultimately overwhelmed and relocated to a reservation in Oklahoma. Sometimes, history is just depressing.
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