Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A Pilgrimage of Another Sort--Gettysburg

Saturday was the only full day of the trip that Brad and I could spend together, so we decided to indulge our dual interest in history and my special penchant for the Civil War with an excursion to Gettysburg.
Funny sight on the freeway: only 2200 miles to Cove Fort--UTAH.  I thought that was hilarious!  Who drives that whole way?

Spending so much time alone with Brad was a treat, but an added bonus was getting to see, feel, smell, and experience a true Autumn.  Arizona NEVER looks like this:
I got to wear jackets, sweaters, and BOOTS every day.  We smelled crisp fall air, saw the leaves changing and felt them crunch beneath our feet. And--we filled our remaining extra suitcase with freshly picked Fuji apples.  So yumm.
This may sound like any regular fall day to most of you, but if you live in the land of eternal summer, you understand what a delicious experience this was.  I still sigh at the memory . . .

My favorite history class ever was History of the Civil War--some because of the professor, but mostly because I have been infatuated with the Civil War since I read Gone With the Wind the summer after fifth grade.  I couldn't believe I was walking those orchards and fields, seeing Little Round Top with my own eyes.


We listened and learned and experienced.  I gained a new-found appreciation for the strategy and luck involved with this encounter, and I couldn't believe I WAS ACTUALLY THERE.


So many graves.  So many men.  So many heroes.  No matter your allegiance, it is such a reverent, still, sacred place.

Visiting Gettysburg--a fulfillment of a long-time dream.  And Gettysburg in the fall?  One of God's greatest creations.

Linking up to Jenny Matlock's Fall Break.
Jenny Matlock

22 comments:

  1. What a wonderful piece of history. Dave and my two oldest boys are big civil was buffs, but only Dave has been to Gettysburg, on a business trip. He loved it and felt the same reverence you did.

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. So much history, it is amazing to be there. We felt the same way when we went to Quebec on the Plains of Abraham. And as much as I wish my winter was a few months shorter. I do love our seasons. I just put up a post that will make you so glad you brought back those fuji apples!
    Dana

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is such a pretty location! Fall there looks beautiful. It is amazing to walk where the battle took place and know all that happened there.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We went to Gettysburg with the kids a few years ago. . .priceless!

    Love the history, and seeing it all in person!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If only my husband shared a love of history! Gettysburg is one place we didn't visit when we lived back East, this post makes want to go more than ever. You are truly a woman after my own heart.

    ReplyDelete
  6. One of my favoritre places. Now I want to take bret next year - but only in the fall!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very interesting to see ! I would rather avoid autumn if I could !

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your photos of reflection really are inspiring for the sights that you saw that day....it is funny all those miles. Once my oldest son and I left Minneapolis on a Friday morning and drove straight through to Vero Beach, Florida, 1,753 miles and arrived just as they were reading the beginning of the F's for the graduates (my niece has a last name beginning in F) We made it, by the next day, Saturday, we did sleep a few hours in Chattagnooga Tenn....but yeah last minute decision and a long drive there! thanks for such lovely photos!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have never commented before (on any blog!) but I have been reading & enjoying for a long time. Had to comment because you were in my neck of the woods & I am so impressed with everything you accomplished, especially your bravery in navigating city streets & crazy traffic in places you've never been! I am a big thrift/antique store fan & have never been brave enough to venture too far out but I might just have to after this. And Gettysburg - Wow - one of our favorite places to go & yes, the leaves are gorgeous but believe it or not, the colors are usually more vibrant. Great pictures though and so glad you had a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like a fun adventure. Beautiful shots.

    ReplyDelete
  11. fabulous photos! I love to visit the land of eternal Summer, but I do enjoy the change of seasons. Fall has been a bit bland here so far. Your Fall scenes are so lovely! and though provoking.
    That sign is too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was just learning about Gettysburg in History today!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ooo, Gettysburg! I've always wanted to go there and see a reenactment. It's just amazing that you went there this time of the year too because the landscape is absolutely gorgeous! I totally understand your awe at seeing Autumn in it's glory because California is pretty Autumn-less too. Maybe that's why I'm so happy living here in Japan where we actually have 4 seasons :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, so amazing! I'd love to visit such an incredibly rich historical area, as yourself and what no better time than to do it like the fall. I enjoyed this post, immensely. Thanks for visiting me today! Your new friend!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Isn't fall back east amazing?! When I drove through WY to go to Utah as a freshman, I *cried* wondering what kind of crazy brown world I was being taken to.

    Your pics make me homesick...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for taking me along on this interesting pilgrimage... the fall colors are sweet to my eyes, since I also live in eternal summer.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love Gettysburg. It really is a beautiful place.

    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jen! I'm so glad you got to go to Gettysburg! It is such a glorious place...especially in the fall!

    When I visit Ohio in the fall I always bring back a suitcase of apples, too.

    What a glorious link to Fall Break!

    This was spectacular!

    Boots and coats and crunchy leaves! What a treat for a zonie!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you.
    lowermyautorate |

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like this post. It's quite unusual and innovative. Writer might be really gorgeous. Someone could easily claim that he is a genius. 
    http://www.hrmanagementassociation.com |

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is a fantastic website and I can not recommend you guys enough. Full of useful resource and great layout very easy on the eyes.
    macrolidar |

    ReplyDelete