Gettysburg

I headed to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 28th.  I passed through Maryland in the morning nearly missing the sign.

Traffic was rough in Maryland


I made into Gettysburg in the afternoon and went directly to the Visitors Center to find out how to get started and find a hotel.  The woman working the desk called the Eisenhower Inn and they said it would be over $100 for a room, later I found a room on Trivago for half the price (baller).  Most of the hotels/motels I've stayed in are way overpriced, but I much rather pay a little more than get murdered.  When I first arrived at the Visitors Center there were two people both in their 70s or 80s.  The man was playing on his cell phone and the woman was knitting.  They were a lot of help.

Hello

After I checked into the hotel I headed for stop one on my driving tour of the Battleground of Gettysburg.  Thanks Hank for the CD Gettysburg Field Guide "The Ultimate Guide to the battle."  On the tour they give you background information about the battle as well as detailed information about the 16 stops.

Battleground of Gettysburg


The stops included McPherson Ridge, Eternal Light Peace Memorial, Oak Ridge, North Carolina Memorial, Virginia Memorial, Pitzer Woods, Warfield Ridge, Little Round Top, The Wheatfield, The Peach Orchard, Plum Run, Pennsylvania Memorial, Spanglers Spring, East Cemetery Hill, and High Water Mark.  But there was way more to see than just what was marked on the map.  You could park get out of your car and walk around to see the statues and areas better.  You could also walk up the towers to see everything around you.

View of the City from a tower

I pulled into a parking spot at one of the wooded sections.  I walked around the woods thinking I could get to one of the sights, but when I reached an opening I got nervous about being attacked by a bear and ran back to my car.  I think it was only parking for the porter potty.

Canon

After the three hour drive around Gettysburg I went to the Soldiers' National Cemetery right next to the Visitors center.  Which was very sad, but something you have to see if you are in Gettysburg,  just to pay respect.

Both old and young are buried here

These were over a thousand unmarked graves