Just north of Lone Pine, along U.S. 395, in the unforgiving rain shadow desert of the Eastern Sierras, sits Manzanar National Historic Site. From 1942 through the end of World War II in 1945, Manzanar served as an internment camp for people of Japanese descent, forcibly removed from their homes along the West Coast. Today, the site is preserved as a reminder of this painful part of American history and the hope and perseverance of those who endured.
In this short post, we visit the municipality of Gouda, famous for being the center for cheese trade during the Middle Ages. Today, visitors can check out the traditional cheese market, as well as sample many cheeses in the various cheese shops around the city square.
On a cloudy Tuesday near the sea, with seagulls squawking overhead, we headed to the National Monument Oranjehotel, Scheveningen's prison. About 25000 people were detained here during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In this museum, the cells and artifacts tell stories of despair and pain, hope and perseverance. Trigger warning: This article discusses World War II history, which includes mentions of death, torture, and violence. I also discuss Hitler’s rise to power and the formation of a one-party state through legal means.
While not on too many top ten lists, Clingendael Park is a perfect place for a picnic or an evening stroll. With beautiful shade trees, walking paths, gardens, and a play space, it is a great place for a relaxed time in The Hague.
On our summer trip to Europe, we made Greenwich our home base for London adventures. This borough in southeast London is of great importance to British maritime history, with the Greenwich meridian setting the standard for navigation and time zones across the globe.
The Cranky Camper 