(7/28) Today was our first rainy day. We left around 10 and headed through the hills to Gettysburg, our big scheduled stop of the day. Brad wanted to see Delaware, so we stayed on the interstate towards Baltimore in order to go through the first state and then headed west to Gettysburg from there.
We did the drive in a little over 2 hours with no stops and arrived in Gettysburg at the start of a rainstorm. Lunch was at Ernie's Diner (open since 1921) and we all enjoyed our food.
The tour Solinda had arranged was a car tour. The rains were coming down the entire time, in addition to arriving there and getting our guide (Mike K.). We found out from Mike that Hope Coates, the tour guide Solinda and Nathan had 10 years ago, is no longer giving tours. Mike was a very funny guy, though, and reminded us of our friend, Dave Smith. He focused on the boys and gave many humorous lessons of what to do and what not to do from the battle.
We all enjoyed it very much. Tim commented that he really enjoyed the tour and was very focused on Sickles, the former senator, who disobeyed orders and nearly lost the battle for the Union Army yet still managed to not get fired, and even get a Medal of Honor over 30 years later. Samuel said it was his favorite thing of the trip so far (except for the Phillies), and really loved Mike's comment that he deserved a new car if Sam was his kid. Sariah slept for about half of the tour an awoke in good spirits. Jennifer really loved the tour and was laughing inside the whole time at the presentation and one-liners.
We ended up getting a 2.5 hour tour (instead of 2) and headed west in the rain. Brad also wanted to drive into West Virginia over the Potomac River so we wound into the mountains of Catoctin Mountain Park, which is also a National Park. The mountain was clouded in mist and very mysterious, yet beautiful.
Dinner was at the Smokin' Toad Barbecue in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. We all loved the food so much. We drove across the bridge and saw that West Virginia left Virginia in 1863 during the Civil War.
It rained the entire drive down to Frederick on I-70 and we arrived at the Sleep Inn. All are tired but spirits are high!
We did the drive in a little over 2 hours with no stops and arrived in Gettysburg at the start of a rainstorm. Lunch was at Ernie's Diner (open since 1921) and we all enjoyed our food.
The tour Solinda had arranged was a car tour. The rains were coming down the entire time, in addition to arriving there and getting our guide (Mike K.). We found out from Mike that Hope Coates, the tour guide Solinda and Nathan had 10 years ago, is no longer giving tours. Mike was a very funny guy, though, and reminded us of our friend, Dave Smith. He focused on the boys and gave many humorous lessons of what to do and what not to do from the battle.
We all enjoyed it very much. Tim commented that he really enjoyed the tour and was very focused on Sickles, the former senator, who disobeyed orders and nearly lost the battle for the Union Army yet still managed to not get fired, and even get a Medal of Honor over 30 years later. Samuel said it was his favorite thing of the trip so far (except for the Phillies), and really loved Mike's comment that he deserved a new car if Sam was his kid. Sariah slept for about half of the tour an awoke in good spirits. Jennifer really loved the tour and was laughing inside the whole time at the presentation and one-liners.
We ended up getting a 2.5 hour tour (instead of 2) and headed west in the rain. Brad also wanted to drive into West Virginia over the Potomac River so we wound into the mountains of Catoctin Mountain Park, which is also a National Park. The mountain was clouded in mist and very mysterious, yet beautiful.
Dinner was at the Smokin' Toad Barbecue in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. We all loved the food so much. We drove across the bridge and saw that West Virginia left Virginia in 1863 during the Civil War.
It rained the entire drive down to Frederick on I-70 and we arrived at the Sleep Inn. All are tired but spirits are high!
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