As I've mentioned before, my wife was a Pennsylvania gal, so after we got married in the mid-80s, we'd drive from Florida to PA to visit her mom and relatives/friends.

We'd always plot the drive back from PA differently for each trip so we could visit the civil war battlefields in the Eastern United States.

I don't believe in ghosts, but spending time at the various locations mentioned by Chris 17404 a few posts above mine made me come about as close to experiencing ghosts, orbs, spirits or... as I've ever been.

Standing on these battlefields was very emotional for me, much like visiting The Wall in DC. Almost a spiritual experience.

We stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, but, sadly, it's been razed and a modern building stands in its place.

I'd like to make one more trip back, but age and my geezerness seem to preclude such a trip. You, OTOH, should have a wonderful time, and I expect it will be one of the trips you'll remember fondly when you reach my age.

Bob

My only time visiting Gettysburg was in 8th grade....I'm almost 65, so you can do the math. We did a bus trip down there. I've always wanted to go back. My son gave me a Gettysburg self tour guide for my birthday one year. You pop the cd in your vehicle and then you can drive around to the various sites.

A local public tv station airs walks down by park rangers and I watch them often. Don't know if I can do the walking thing, but very, very informative.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
If you haven’t, read the book ‘The Killer Angels’ before going.

I second this suggestion. It's a huge battlefield with numerous iconic moments and places. If you know the battle and the people, a visit is a magical experience. If you come in blind, it's a bit overwhelming. If you don't have time for the The Killer Angels, at least spend some time reading about the battle before you go, even if it's just the Wikipedia page. You'll get a lot more out of the trip.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:

...If you have time, plan to take in Antietam as well.

+1. The battlefield looks just like it did 160+ years ago. The two main sites are the battlefield (at the visitor center) and the Burnside Bridge, about a mile away.

Also, it's far less commercialized than Gettysburg.

By the way... there is now an app (desktop or phone) which you can use to see extremely detailed, minute by minute animations of every minute of the 3-day Gettysburg battle. See the demo video here:

2 hours 49 minutes, that video is likely better that watching the movie Gettysburg. I think the movie is near 3 hours also.

The Staff Ride at Gettysburg is, without question, one of the two greatest leadership training experiences I have ever had.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:Yes, walk Pickett's charge; all the way to the Union line and back. Feel what it might be like.

Watch the sunrise at Little Round Top. I can't describe the feeling.

If you have time, plan to take in Antietam as well.

You must have been there with me as I did the very same thing - made the mistake of going in July and almost died of heatstroke.

However, it gave me a good idea of what it might have been like on the day back in '63, for the boys who went marching up the hill, full of hope and fear, but never came marching home again.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
2 hours 49 minutes, that video is likely better that watching the movie Gettysburg. I think the movie is near 3 hours also.

It's 2 minutes, 49 seconds. It's just a demo of the app itself, which is quite remarkable.

Been there once 20+ years ago. Seemed like Valley Forge to me... sacred ground.

Sorry, a little rum in the DR, my posting isn’t what it used to be.