Gone to Gettysburg

Gettysburg. I have to confess, I was very eager to go this particular battlefield.In order to get ready we watched wonderful film, Gettysburg if you have never seen it, it is worth a watch! Then Beth, Gavin and I were off! Beth has lived back here for many years and she loves history so she is the perfect tour guide and she knows the inside scoop!:D

On the way to Gettysburg, we saw an ominous sight. A crow on top of the steeple of an abandoned church.

I read somewhere that Gettysburg is the most preserved battlefield in America, I don't know if this is true or not, but there is a lot to see and it is very well laid out.

From the Wheat Field, where 6000 men died.

Little Round Top, where the Union Colonel Chamberlain heroically defended this strategic point at the Union line end.

Looking down into Devil's Den.

Gavin even found his first gun!

My favorite, yet one of the saddest places in Gettysburg, is Pickett's Charge, a desperate attempted of the confederate infantry to charge right through the middle of the Union lines. The catch, all the men had to run over a half a mile, in plain sight, braving cannons and heavy gunfire and THREE fences, which they had to crawl over!

The causalities were devastating with over half of the infantry dying. This charge is remembered as the high-water mark of the Confederacy, as they were met with heavy gunfire. Simply put, the dream of the Confederacy died right here on this field.

It is amazing and sobering to stand there and realize that so many men lost their lives in such a rural and previously insignificant place.

On a much happier note, next it was lunch time and Beth took me to her favorite restaurant, The Dobbin House Tavern, if you are ever in Gettysburg find this gem it is worth it!

Built in 1776, the restaurant was a home and a tavern and now functions as a hotel and restaurant. The main restaurant is original spring house/cellar.

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If you pres your face in to the tiny window you can see the still in use clean spring.

After lunch we had one more important stop: the cemetery.

Abraham's Lincoln's famous Gettysburg address was spoken right here for the first time.

After all the seriousness of the day it to relax and browse downtown Gettysburg, here are some of treasure we found!

Okay now no judgement....Beth and I tried to find the most gaudy dress we could find. :D

Fabulous Fourth!

Here is a fact about me you may not know...the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! It is just a step below Christmas in my book! I love the fireworks, the delicious food, being with family and celebrating the wonderful history of our great nation! As a history lover there is no better holiday! This Fourth of July was no exception, because what better place to celebrate then in Philadelphia!

I headed north to meet my perfect tour-guides, my incredible cousin Beth and her husband Dan and their adorable new baby, Gavin, who live in Baltimore, Maryland!

It was a good eight hours from where I live in South Carolina and as I inched my way up the coastline I passed by so many historical sights, my soul was dying, so it was good thing I was very excited to see them, else wise I would have gotten very distracted. :D

After meeting adorable Gavin, we headed north to Philadelphia, with one very important stop on the way, to see where Dan proposed to Beth! Clearly, he did a good job!

Then it was on to Philadelphia! The beautiful city hall with William Penn on top of it.

The famous Independence Hall.

We barely got in line in time, but we were saved by the bell!:D

For such a historical artifact, I was surprised at how modern the building was.

Additionally, I did not realize before coming that the original President's House is actually on the lawn of Independence Hall. It makes sense since Philadelphia was the nation's capitol before Washington D.C., I just didn't realize it was so close.

This an outline of the house.

Underneath is some of the original wall and foundation.

Of course, no visit to Philadelphia is complete without a delicious oooey-gooey cheesesteak!

Philadelphia is a beautiful old city with gorgeous architecture! We were able to walk through a lot of the city, which was a lot of fun! We then headed to the Philadelphia Art Museum, where A LOT of people were celebrating. I am told there was a concert and even fireworks, but honestly I have no idea...Beth and I were too busy talking. :D

That was just the beginning of our fun! Because tomorrow is Gettysburg!