October 25 - 29th
It was tough leaving Maine - though, the colder weather was a good reminder we needed to start moving toward the equator for winter! At a different time, we would have loved to spend some time exploring the Eastern seaboard, however, we decided fewer people were generally better. Also, I wasn't excited about the prospect of New Jersey Turnpike traffic with Big Bend in tow. So, we elected to take a little longer drive, winding back through New Hampshire, Vermont, and South New York. After an evening at a Harvest Host winery, we pulled into Gettysburg, PA.
The battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point in the Civil War - and the battlefield is preserved so that you can easily follow the progression of the 3-day conflict. We took the opportunity to educate the boys on the history of the Civil War. The last time I visited Gettysburg was in 2007, and at the time they didn't have the visitor's center you see today. The most remarkable part of the center was the "Cyclorama", a 360 degree canvas depicting different events during the 3-day conflict.
The boys were absolutely captivated by the displays in the museum and the rich stories illustrating the struggle between North and South. Additionally, the history of slavery in the South and the emancipation secured at the end of the civil war was particularly poignant given today's struggle for racial equality.
Touring the battlefield, the monuments, and walking the ground where the battle took place, was so impactful. Being able to connect the books they've read, the history channel specials, and the battlefield audio guide, as we stood at significant sites in Gettysburg really left an impression on the boys. Climbing around the rocks at the devils den, walking across the field where Pickett's charge took place, and crossing the bloody angle where General Armistead was killed...all unforgettable experiences.
Aside from the battlefield tour, we also enjoyed being a little closer to civilization and some of the creature comforts of the big city! Chic-fil-a was one of our first stops, in addition to bringing the Dually to Ford for a water pump replacement. It was more than a little strange renting a VW sedan for a couple days while the truck was in the shop - fortunately, they finished the repairs just in time for us to continue on schedule to Washington D.C.
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