I've been coming to Gettysburg, PA on and off for the last four years
for the sole purpose of dropping off, picking up, or parent-day visits to
my daughter who has been attending Gettysburg College. And tsk tsk,
shame on me, not once have I toured the famous Civil War battlefields.
So, on the eve of her graduation next month, I thought it time to
pay homage to this most significant historic place.
Welcome to the historic town of Gettysburg. Founded in 1786
by Samuel Gettys, an early settler and tavern owner.
A guaranteed unique slice of Americana.
Nice place to start the day, the Ragged Edge.
A locals hang-out,
serving hearty baked oatmeal for breakfast.
On to the battlefields.
For a place that hosted such horrific bloodshed,
pain, disease and suffering....
...there is a remarkable sense of peace and serenity in these fields.
Plenty of re-enactors can be found
wandering the grounds.
Historic homesteads that were caught in the crossfire,
used as hospitals, headquarters, or looted for provisions.
Overlooking Gettysburg College campus from
one of the battlefield look-out towers.
An amazing 2500-student liberal arts school.
McKnight Hall (home of foreign language study)
"Penn" Hall, used as a hospital during the civil war.
And what could be better after a long day of sight-seeing
than a cold brew at the Appalachian Brewing Company?
Mountain lager and Water Gap Wheat.
If you're a regular, you get your own specially-numbered mug
they keep there for you.
Parting shots.
