7/19/2014 - 7/21/2014 A Memorable Day Gettysburg

We traveled to Gettysburg 7/19/2014.  We decided to travel the Pennsylvania turnpike.  It was our first toll road.  I gave the toll lady $20. She said it wasn't enough.  It was $27 to pass.  We had it, but were amazed at the rate.  We had the EZ-pass for the RV mailed to Nikki's house.  The route the GPS took us was over hill and dale through several small towns and tight turns.  We made it to our destination, but we are now very weary of the GPS directions.  We stayed in Artillery Ridge Campground.  http://www.artilleryridge.com/

We liked the site assigned.  We were in a back section past the horse corral to another area with cabins and another horse corral and pens.  We saw signs to pick up poop for dogs, but noticed there were stable hands cleaning up the horse poop also.  This place was enjoyable and relaxing.

We got to Gettysburg early enough that we could scout around for what we wanted to do there.  We also ate at General Picketts Restaurant.

We have been to Gettysburg before and decided to do the bus tour vice self guided or auto tour.  We got tickets at the visitor center for the bus and theater.  The Theater included a film, a  Cyclorama and a museum.   The painting has been restored, and it is very impressive.

We took the bus tour afterwards.  It was well worth the cost.  We had a guide who explained the strategy and locations of the Battle of Gettysburg.  It was very somber to get such detail of so many people dying at this site.  It appeared that Lee's decision to advance at Pickett's Charge was a big mistake.  It was explained why he attacked and where.

There is at least one or more monuments from each state, from Maine to Texas.  There are also monuments to artillery groups, states, cavalries.  

After  our bus tour we went to the National Soldiers Cemetery.  This was also where Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address.

Actual location of Gettysburg Address.

After the cemetery we went to the Gettysburg Diorama and Ghost Lab.  The diorama is the largest in the US. 

As nice as it was to visit Gettysburg, it left us with feelings of sadness about the carnage that occurred at this place.  It was a battle that changed the course of our nation for the better, but at a cost of over fifty thousand lives over three days in July.

There is more information at this site.  

http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/

http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm