My Dad was a military history nut, and fortunately for him, we lived and grew up in the Northeast where a great deal of early American history was made. When we were kids, our family vacations always included a trip through a historic battlefield or old fort. No roadside historic marker passed this traveling family by as he would bring the car to a screeching halt, and one of us was chosen to jump out and read (or yell) the marker back to the anxious family. Dad would nod and grin adoringly.

Dad took great pride in the fact that his children could recite the commanding generals and the locations of their major Revolutionary War campaigns. I think looking back my siblings would agree these impromptu roadside lessons certainly helped our grades in history class.

One day Dad announced that he had researched extensively and located a new fort for us to explore – Fort Bull. Dad explained that this fort was from the 1750′s during the French and Indian War period. He was excited! Mom packed lunch for everyone, and we climbed into the station wagon anticipating our adventure. Dad kept saying how nice it was that this fort was close to home – a place we could visit often. The inventory of local forts was becoming routine for us all at this point, so the prospect of a new fort was thrilling.

After about an hour, Dad pulled off the main road onto a dirt road; the dirt road became a dusty farmer’s field filled with tractor ruts. We all began to worry when we had to cross a dry-creek on wooden planks. I’m sure I closed my eyes. And, then it appeared — a huge engraved boulder marking the spot where Fort Bull once stood. Where were the re-enactors? Tour guides? Gift shop? Other tourists? Nope – just a big rock – and us.

We gathered around the boulder and ate our picnic. No one complained, but we know Dad was disappointed. Dad may have over promised and under delivered, but we never held it against him. Actually, the Fort Bull expedition lived in infamy in our family. Even today – several decades later – if you ever want to get a giggle out of any of my siblings, suggest an outing to Fort Bull.

We made the best of it, but your customer might not see the humor as we did – always under promise and over deliver – that’s no Fort Bull – pun intended!!