Hancock
Maryland
July 2024
Lucky us, we made a last minute weekend trip to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. On the way home, we took a break from driving by stopping at the Sideling Hill Welcome Center in Hancock, Maryland. What drew us in was mostly the location — it was time for a break — but we found the additional draw of the promised Vietnam memorial compelling.
My brother Steve served time in Vietnam, fighting more for his life than for his country. But for his country too.
First order of business for these two travelers was, of course, to take comfort in the comfort station. “Comfort” of course, means “to take a leak,” or “to relieve oneself.” You knew where I was going with that. No big deal.
This demanding task accomplished, we chose to see the memorial, which was inside the building; the comfort rooms were outside entry. We tried the door to the main building on the second floor, around the corner from the rest rooms. Locked.
We went downstairs to the back entrance. Locked. The front entrance, which made the most sense, locked.
It’s noon on a Monday. It’s not a holiday. The building is locked.
“Maryland welcomes you. No, we don’t.”