Petunia, Ling Ling and I headed out to Gettysburg, PA for the weekend to explore the area, the history and the ghosts. This was Petunia’s first real vacation and her first stay in a hotel. Well it goes without saying that she LOVED it!
The Appalachian Brewing Company
Here’s Ling Ling enjoying MY chocolate stout. Both the food and the beer were delicious. I highly recommend the visit. It will be yummy in your tummy.
Gettysburg National Cemetery
The Gettysburg National Cemetery is a very touching, respectful, peaceful place. You can read the Gettysburg Address and view the Lincoln Monument or just enjoy the trees. Seriously, they did a superb landscaping job (I didn’t even know cypress trees grew to be mammoth size this far north) and the circular layout of the cemetery is unique. It reminds me of a meditation labyrinth.The New York monument was absolutely stunning and full of interesting symbolism.This is the haunted fence that separates the National Cemetery from the Evergreen Cemetery. If I understand correctly, this fence was originally at the White House. A man was murdered on the fence before it was moved. Now you can feel a cold spot in the exact location he was killed. Spooky.The Park Service gives free guided tours and interpretation programs of the cemetery and battlefields. I seriously regret not taking them up on that. Next time!Although she’s never been here, Ling Ling still feels it’s necessary to give me a turbo tour of the place.
The Dobbin House and Tavern
The Dobbin House is the oldest house in Gettysburg. It was built in 1776. Now it’s a bed & breakfast, tavern, restaurant, ballroom and gift shop. Plus, it’s said to be haunted. There are free tours of the house, given by the owner, and it’s by far the best tour you will get in Gettysburg. Also, if you have the chance, check out the tavern. It’s everything you want it to be and more.
Cemetery Hill
This view is so amazing, it doesn’t even look real.Here’s an interesting Gettysburg monument fact: If the horse has all four feet on the ground than the rider made it through the war unscathed. If the horse has one foot off the ground than the person was wounded in battle. If the horse has two feet off the ground than the person died in battle. That’s not the case for other cemeteries and memorials outside of Gettysburg but it hold true here.
Evergreen Cemetery
Elizabeth Thorn, the caretaker of the Evergreen Cemetery, buried over 90 soldiers in the July heat while being six months pregnant. Now that is an amazing woman! Just as an aside, she gave birth to a daughter which she named Rose Thorn.Jennie Wade was the only civilian to die during the battle of Gettysburg. She was baking bread for the soldiers in her sister’s house and a bullet travelled through two wooden doors and struck her in the chest. That is seriously bad luck right there. You can tour her house and it’s said to be haunted by the ghost of her father.
Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium
This is where every elephant knick-knack goes to die.Mr Ed’s is a lot of fun, especially if you love elephants or have a massive sweet tooth.
The Historic Round Barn & Farm Market
The Round Barn is where I filled up on an end-of-days amount of canned goods and even bought Petunia dog beer. Yup, they sell dog beer and she loves it.
The Battlefields
The Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1st to July 3rd, 1863. This battle claimed the highest number of casualties in the American Civil War as was considered the turning point. Approximately 51,000 soldiers died in those three days.
There are markers and monuments to the fallen as far as the eye can see.We upstate New Yorkers played a hand in Gettysburg too. In fact, we saw monuments as far west as Wisconsin but there may be even more that we didn’t see.
The Historic & Haunted Sachs Covered Bridge
Oh ghosties…where are you? I didn’t see anything but it was lovely just the same.
