Celebrate America
Over Memorial Day Weekend, my wife and I drove across the country to our place in Montana. This drive through the heartland appeals to me for many reasons, foremost among them is the chance to see America and its many diverse communities. One night we stayed in the RV Capital of The World (Elkhart, IN), we crossed the Mighty Mississippi River exactly 1100 miles into our trip, stayed in Rochester, MN with my sister, and visited the very western and energy oriented town of Gillette, Wyoming for the first time. America changes each year and these trips expose me to some of the many good things and not so good things facing America.
In Lordstown, Ohio the closing of the giant GM plant was very apparent. The Lordstown plant was a success story not that long ago, but it is shuttered up now. Yet, in a case of making lemonade from a bunch of lemons, one of the huge parking lots has been turned into a solar energy farm.
At other points along the way, we noticed the effect of the severe storms that have impacted the central states. Every river along our route from eastern Ohio to the Montana border was well above normal levels. We saw flooded out buildings and road closures. You couldn’t help but notice many, many acres of fields covered with water where usually we see the early stages of the new season’s growth of corn, soy, alfafa, or some other agricultural product. Damage was excessive. The mighty Mississippi was mightier than I have ever seen it. It will take time to recover from these traumatic events.
Also noticeable is the slow but steady development of houses, industrial buildings, and general commercial activity all along the Interstate 90 corridor. In Wisconsin and South Dakota, small communities have grown which is great for the traveler -- more food options and less worry about making it to the next gas station! Our quietest rest stop was in western Wyoming. A faux western oasis of a town, you almost expected to see a herd of buffalo coming over the hills. Three days into the journey, your imagination needs escapes like this. I walked around for fifteen minutes in the drizzle and it was both refreshing and rejuvenating. The sun reappeared when we crossed into Montana.
As we prepare for the summer, we turn to thinking about how we will celebrate America on the 4th of July. Philadelphia was the first major city to begin annual celebrations (our first was in 1777) and this year is no exception. See www.visitphilly.com to learn about the weeklong Wawa Welcome Festival. The concert on the Parkway, followed by fireworks, is one of my favorites. But be prepared for a slow ride home.
Wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate America on the 4th of July, do it safely. And just maybe you will get a chance to reflect on our storied American history and abundant opportunity that comes from being the world’s oldest democracy. With Liberty and Justice for All.
Ralph McDevitt
June 12, 2019
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