Friday, July 31, 2009

Gettysburg Battlefields


Thursday morning was again sunny so we decided to return to Gettysburg and visit the battle fields.
Followed the road signs this time instead of Gypsy so made it there without any detours.
Stopped in the town itself to walk around a little. Neat to see all the buildings that were standing during days of the battle. If walls could talk….This building was built in 1863 it is right next door to the David Wills House. That is where Lincoln stayed overnight while in Gettysburg.

There is a bronze statue of him outside of the house. He was a tall man!

The Gettysburg Hotel was also open then.

I love the buildings.

Took lots of pictures but will spare you them. This one is a church that is still being used. During the war it was used as a hospital.

A dress for sale in one of the downtown shops. They specialize in period clothing.

From downtown we followed the map we had bought the other day and drove around the battlefield. “The three days of combat in the Gettysburg area left 51,000 casualties: 10,000 killed, 30,000 wounded and 10,000 missing or captured. 170,000 soldiers had fired 569 tons of metal artillery rounds and 7 million small arms cartridges.” This from a booklet I picked up about the battle. Wonder who figured out all that stuff.
There are hundreds of monuments along the roads. Each depicting a battle or a group of men – both North and South. Some are very plain small concrete pillars with bronze plaques. Others are elaborate statues.
One of the first ones we parked and walked up to was the Eternal Peace Light Memorial.

It was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in July 1938. 1800 Civil War veterans attended the ceremony. Made me stop and think – The Civil War didn’t happen so terribly long ago. Makes history seem more relevant.
A main battle of the first day – July 1 – took place around this hill. Each stop on the driving tour has information about what happened there.

One unusual one was to the 90th Pennsylvania. It is shaped like a tree and has military equipment and a robin’s nest. The story about it is – As this area was torn by artillery fire an occupied robin’s nest was found in a shattered tree. Risking harm, a soldier grabbed the nest, climbed back up the tree and placed it on a branch.

Looking out over the peaceful farmland now it is hard to believe the carnage that took place there. In places sections of the stone walls the soldiers built still remain.

Off in the distance from the Peace Memorial we could see a barn that still stands in the same place. This is what they saw. The barn was also used as a hospital before it was all over.

A couple of the monuments will be hard to forget. The Virginia Memorial honors Robert E Lee and the men who served under him. The figures at the base represent men who joined the army from all walks of life.
Another was a fallen figure holding a battle flag. His toes come through his torn boots.

I took pictures of many, many more but……
It was so eerie walking around that area. There were a lot of people there but no noise. Everyone was speaking quietly. Cannot imagine what it must have been like during the battle.


Really glad we went back – enjoyed the experience. Makes me realize how much of this country’s history I’ve forgotten. Shame on me.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Revisit Intercourse, PA

Just a thought - if you click on the picture it enlarges.
Tuesday – the sun was out again and it turned out to be a warm day. Kept that air conditioning on. Think I have finally figured out how to do this blog without going bonkers. Guess I’ll find out when I try to post this.
We spent the day here in the campground, Bill was feeling a little under the weather. So just vegged out.
Wed. – This morning it is cloudy again. Supposed to be scattered thundershowers. Oh Well, what’s new.
Despite the weather forecast we piled into Willie and went back to Intercourse. The more I thought about the corn salsa and sweet pickles the more I’d wished I’d bought some. Also wanted to try and find a pattern for the quilt I liked so much. Couldn’t find it on the web.
Breathing today was like trying to breath under water. And we could see the air hanging over the fields. Didn’t rain though. But got warm! Ugh!
We took a different route out there today. No wandering through the country but done a nice country road. Went through a town called Manheim. Founded in 1762 really neat buildings. Driving along we could hear a train whistle – got louder and louder. Sounded like it was coming from our left. But when we got to the tracks we saw it was coming from the right. Very slowly. No arms to come down across the road but blinking red lights. As we stopped and were watching it a man, in light blue overalls climbed out of the train and walked in front of it out on to the street. He then waved his red flag at the traffic to make sure it stopped!!!!! After the engine got across the street he climbed back into the engine. Now that was interesting. Wonder how many times a day he gets in and out of that engine?



When we got to Intercourse we went into a couple of restaurants thinking we’d have a bite to eat but both were so cold inside we couldn’t stay. (Neither of us had taken a jacket. A jacket? It’s 80 degrees out.) So got down to business and went to buy my pickles and salsa. Got a couple big jars of each. Yum, yum. Also a jar of chow chow (kind of pickled mixed vegetables.) I remember my Mom used to make that. Also got some chips so we can eat the salsa before we get home.
Then we went to one of the big quilt/fabric stores. They had the pattern I was looking for. Had to buy it of course – that’s why we drove 30 miles. They also had a quilt museum that I missed last time. Took some pictures of a couple of the quilts to share. Amazing.
This one is amazing. It is hanging completely flat - no bumps in it.
Left Intercourse and found a restaurant in Bird-In-Hand that wasn’t freezing. Next to the parking lot wandering around on the grass were a couple of the biggest chickens I have ever seen.

Ah – warm inside. We both had the buffet. Very good food. Bill had fried chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetables. I had sauerkraut with pulled pork. Heavenly! Also sweet corn. And for desert I had Carrot Cake and ….drum roll…..ShooFly Pie. Have always heard about it but never tried it. It is very, very sweet. Finally asked what it was made of - dates, molasses, brown sugar. Yep that’s sweet. Bill asked why it was called Shoo Fly Pie. I didn’t know but he speculated that maybe ’cause it is so sweet that the flies were attracted to it as it sat on a windowsill cooling. Turns out he was right. see this link http://www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/shooflypie.htm
From there we went to York to the Harley Davidson factory. Unfortunately the wait for the tour was over an hour. And they weren’t really in production. We have already toured a different plant. So didn’t wait. Nice bikes though.

Then on back to the motorhome where we have been entertained by the ducks? geese? wandering through the campground. Still very humid out but no rain.

Also made reservations for our trip back – leave here Friday.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Visiting Philadelphia, PA

Monday – Exciting day. First off the sun was up. Hooray! So The Driver offered to drive into Philadelphia so we could see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Off we went. Across the farms and onto the Toll Road - $4.40 each way. Just not used to that in the U.S. On the way there we stopped at Valley Forge – I need to brush up on my history as I forgot it was here. Just visited the Visitor Center ‘cause we wanted to spend most of our time in Philly.

Gypsy took us right to the Independence National History Park. Drove around it then back on to the street to park. Our Hillbillyness came out trying to feed the parking meter. $4 for two hours. Put in credit card – wouldn’t take it. Tried again, rejected again. By now two guys were waiting for us to finish. So tried dollar bills. Got them back! I put them in upside down and machine didn’t like that. Guy behind us very nicely explained it to us and everything went fine. Got our stub for our two hours. Asked the other guy about where to eat and he pointed out a cafĂ© right across the street. Glad we took his advice delicious food. Both of us had wonderful salads. Mine was spinach, sliced apples, steamed beets, candied pecans and gorgonzola cheese topped with pomegranate vinaigrette dressing. YUM.

From there we walked up the street to Independence Hall. Had to have purse searched before entering the area. Didn’t tour Independence Hall as we didn’t have a ticket (free) and didn’t have time to go get one. So walked around took lots of pictures.


Asked why flag was at half staff and park ranger told us That President Obama declared the day – Armistice Day for Korean War. Hum…

Then across the street to see the Liberty Bell. Being an immigrant Bill really likes to visit places like this. He even wanted to have his picture taken there. (Had purse searched again going into building.)
From there we visited the Independence Visitor Center – had to make it quick as our two hours were slipping away.





Arrived at car just a meter maid was writing ticket. My watch and the meter box were four minutes different. She was very nice and was able to cancel the ticket as she hadn’t finished writing it. Whew! Then she told us about a couple areas we should really visit. The Betsy Ross House and Elfreth’s Alley – the oldest residential street. Saw the old Post Office, heard a tour guide say this is the only Post Office without a flag flying in front of it. But the light changed and I didn’t hear why. It interesting how narrow some of the buildings are – only two windows wide.

Found the area we want to go to. This time meter parking was 1 hour for 25cents. Really neat area, several murals and all old buildings. Walked up and down Elfreth’s Alley. Homes built in the 1700s and still being lived in today. Talked to one lady who lived there and she says they “Love living there.”



Then around the corner to the Betsy Ross House. While there we watched a “soldier” clean and load a musket. He showed how to hold the rod with just his little finger not his whole hand. That way if it accidently went off he would only lose his finger, not the hand. But he added, “Usually the muskets did not go off ‘half cocked’.” So that’s where that expression came from. Interesting.



Just one of the murals we saw.

Back to car and had to find Rocky Balboa’s statue. Got a picture as we drove by. Saw a tourist group riding Segways. I’d probably kill myself on one.

Then back to campground. Opened the door to Alfie and about fell over. Forgot to leave the air on. Very warm in there. So we immediately turned around and went out to dinner. Good excuse. Ate at a very good Italian place just west of Hershey. Then back to motorhome where we spent the rest of the night gabbing with the neighbors.

The end of a very nice day.

Quiet Days in Hershey

While we were walking around Intercourse and Bird In Hand I noticed that my foot was hurting some. About four years ago I broke my left foot right at the arch and sprained the ankle. Didn’t pay too much attention to it today as it hurts off and on. When we got back to Alfie and I took my shoe off I was very surprised to see the foot and ankle were pretty swollen. So kind of spent the next day off my feet and it has returned to normal again. Getting old is such fun.
When in Hershey I bought a little chocolate candle. Lit it this a.m. but had to blow it out before too long. The smell sent me to my stash of chocolates and I was ready to pig out – and I don’t really like chocolate. I have a bourbon candle that does the same thing. Sniff, sniff, yum, yum!
Boy at first I thought this new blog was easier to do then the old one. Am beginning to change my mind. Think I have most of it figured out now. I tried to remove a picture I put in twice and the whole blog disappeared. Woops! Think I know how to do it now though by fooling with the html….Yah I don’t understand it either.
Next post - our visit to Philadelphia.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Lancaster County, PA

On Thursday - it wasn’t supposed to rain so we took off for Lancaster County – the Pennsylvania Dutch area. We drove the back roads through beautiful countryside to get there - following Gypsy’s directions. Past lots of big white barns and houses.



Bypassed Lancaster and went on through Bird-In-Hand to Intercourse. Love the name.



It was named that in 1814. In those days – quoting - “intercourse had a common usage referring to the pleasant mutual fellowship and frequent intermingling which was so much more common in the quiet country village of that day.” Or… The name could have come from “Enter Course.” As horse races began at the east end of town on a mile long straightaway and this was where they began. Of course I had to buy a shot glass that said, “I Love Intercourse.”
Had to look at all the beautiful quilts. WOW! Watched one lady working on one using a treadle sewing machine. And fingered all the beautiful fabric. Nope didn’t buy any.





Love this one - would like to make one like it sometime.




Went into the Intercourse Canning Co. and sampled the pickles and salsas. Yum. Didn’t buy anything but thinking back now I wish I had. Especially the corn salsa. Lots of beautiful flowers everywhere. Saw a strange one kind of orange and long and droopy. Asked someone what they were and were told, “I don’t know there real name but we call them Moon Flowers. At night the bloom opens up and raises to face the moon.”




Of course enjoyed all the signs of the Amish culture. Love to watch the beautiful horses that pull the buggies. Picked up a book about the Amish so will share a few tidbits. Many of the horses are bought from race tracks. Also there are a several types of buggies. The Family Buggy is usually enclosed and used by the women and on family outings. The Courting Buggy – open buggy with one seat for two people. Can’t hide any foolishness there. All have flashing lights for night driving, battery operated lights, turn signals and some have windshield wipers.



Didn’t know it but there are no bicycles in Amish communities, they use scooters instead.



All the laundry fluttering on the lines. So much work to be done.



For some reason known only to her Gypsy decided to take us on a very round about route home. Must have made 50 turns and saw lots of countryside. The Driver finally requested that we find a shorter way home. But by then I couldn’t figure out where we were on a map so had to follow her directions.




Got back to motorhome just in time. Had just settled in when the sky suddenly darkened and the whole coach shook from a clap of thunder. I thought it rained hard the other day – ha – that was just a sprinkle. We couldn’t see the jeep parked in front of the windshield. Lasted about an hour – continuous thunder and lightening. The park is still putting all the gravel on its roads back in place. And since then the Internet has been sporadic.