Friday morning I was up at the usual time and on the road by 9:00. Headed for Lancaster, PA, about a 90 minute drive looking for the gravesite of James Buchanan, my last President on this trip. Talk about tough to find. He is buried in Woodward Hill Cemetery. Only problem was, my Garmin nor my iPhone could find the cemetery. I took to the old fashioned route, I stopped and asked. First place was a convenience store. Two you guys behind the counter and I asked, "I need some directions. Can you direct me to Woodward Hill Cemetery. It's where James Buchanan is buried." From the looks on their faces, you would have thought I asked them where Jimmy Hoffa was buried. They had no clue who Buchanan was let alone where he was buried!!! Fortunately they turned to a nice Hispanic lady who gave me general directions. Apparently not specific enough. The next gas station attendant I asked was Indian. After some communication problems, he sent me to the right place. I didn't linger long at Buchanan's grave, which is understated, but well kept because it was raining.  

Most people know Lincoln was the 16th President of the US . If I were to ask you who the 15th President was, I would wager most people would not know. In fact it was James Buchanan. The only President from Pennsylvania. He was President in a tumultuous time in the US with the slavery question, the biggest issue. Buchanan did little to advance the cause of abolition, deferring the question to the Supreme Court. He didn't enjoy his Presidency much, and declined to run for a second term, commenting to Lincoln as Lincoln took office, he hoped Lincoln was as happy entering the Presidency as Buchanan was leaving it! Interesting comment, don't you think?

Then I was off to try to make it to Dublin, Ohio to hopefully stay with my old friend Henry Lee. I had warned him I might stop by on my way back home, but wasn't sure of the date. As soon as I knew I could make it by 7:00 pm, I called Henry to see if he wanted to get together. Yep, and stay with him. I've outlined the Henry Lee story before for you, but suffice to say he was a mentor, a colleague, a drinking buddy, but most of all a good, good friend  

Relaxed at Henry's for a while and then headed to Bonefish Grill for dinner . Outstanding! We both had some excellent fish. Back to Henry's to watch some NBA Basketball and then bed...didn't even blog.  

Up at 8:00 and Henry and I went to Tim Horton's for doughnuts. Then Henry toured me around Dublin and other places on a beautiful spring morning. Muirfield Golf Course where the pros will play next weekend (Jack Nicklaus' course), the school where his son teaches, and even Hollywood Casino where I lost $5....there goes my kid's inheritance! Then Henry treated me to some great Chinese food for lunch just a few blocks from his house. Hearing the waitress and him talking Cantonese was something special and I didn't understand a word!!!

Headed back to Henry's and packed up and headed for home, making it in about six hours. No bad.  

I have now seen 20 Presidential gravesites. 20 down, 18 to go!!! Next trip won't be until July when Sandy and Kevin will accompany me on what I call "The Southern Swing." Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC.  

I have also downloaded pictures from my recent trip....hope you enjoy reading and viewing as much as I did writing and photographing! Until the, be safe my friends and family!

Dave