Gettysburg Adventure

So with some big trips looming on the horizon, we decided to keep it simple this year. Stanley Cup game in Vegas to kick off summer, and now a quick adventure into history with exploring Gettysburg and Washington DC!

Starting out early on Sunday, we jumped into the Acura and headed east towards Pennsylvania and the battlefield of Gettysburg. Overall the drive wasn’t too bad, but lots of construction in PA. As is now custom, we stopped in West Virginia at Cabela’s to stretch our legs and grab a quick photo.

Heading out. Seamus was already asleep after a sleepover Friday night.

We hit the road again to get to Gettysburg by 3:00 and our bus tour. Driving into Gettysburg we traversed a lot of back roads, but it wasn’t too bad except the windy mountains! As you drive in, the battlefields and markers showing people involved first greeted us as we came into the town. The town itself was bustling and filled with cute little ice cream shops and historic buildings. It was busy but we made it through to the park pretty quickly.

Our 3:00 bus tour was waiting and we jumped right in to learn. Now, hindsight being 20/20, I would recommend doing the auto tour on your own. We learned quite a few things on the tour, but it would be to my liking to take time and explore more than the tour allows. We did learn that Jenni Wade was the only civilian killed during the war; she was accidentally shot while baking in the kitchen.

Our tour guide giving facts. 51,000 casualties in three days of fighting

The eternal flame burning on an overlook

The stone fences used for cover with cannons lined up next to the stones

Lee and his horse Traveler both survived the war! Lee was 56 years old during the battle.

The whole tour was about 2 hours long and we visited most of the battle sites. The final stop was an overlook memorial of the final day of fighting when Lee retreated and General Meade proclaimed victory. Meade had only been appointed 3 days before the battle. We also learned about Senator Sickles who lost his leg to a cannon and then had the men grab his leg and send it to Washington. It is still on display in Fredrick, Maryland today!

Hiking up the steep and narrow steps to look over the day 3 battlefield

Joe and the boys checking the battlefield

The battles ended here when Lee retreated back over the mountain and Meade declared victory

After the tour we headed over to the cemetery where President Lincoln delivered his “Gettysburg Address “ speech following the battle. It’s a very moving place to be especially when you considered some of the battles happened here on Cemetery Ridge. Lots of Buckeye trees were placed around the fences as we found the Ohio memorial.

Lincoln gave his speech about 400 yards from here

Unknown soldiers. Many soldiers were removed after battles and buried near their homes

Next we were off to Frederick, Maryland to rest up before heading into Washington DC tomorrow. Dinner was a local place called Oscar’s Alehouse west and the food was great! Once our bellies were full, it was off to bed!