Antietam Civil War Battlefield

Did our 4th US Civil War battlefield visit on our trip today. (Others were Shilow, Manassas & Gettysburg) This was the Antietam battle near Sharpsburg, Maryland and Antietam Creek which was fought on 17th Sept 1862. and was the first major battle in the American civil war to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history with about 23,000 casualties



check out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam

Morgantown to Hagerstown

It rained during the night, so was very wet this morning, but temperature was +- 17⁰C (62⁰F).  Had breakfast, packed the car and then headed off in the direction of Frostburg.  

At Frostburg we stopped to plot our route.  We decide that we would stay in Hagerstown.  After leaving Frostburg and as we were going  around the outskirts of Cumberland, we hit a downpour which lasted all of 2 minutes while the sun was shining brightly.  We arrived in Hagerstown at about 12:30pm and checked into a Motel 6.  

After unpacking we walked across the road to a huge shopping mall.  We had some lunch and then Dereck and I split up to do our own shopping.  We met again at 4:15pm and went to see a movie – “Abduction”.  It was brilliant.

After movies we went to a Bob Evans restaurant for supper and then headed off back to the motel to pack our suitcases. We can’t believe that our holiday is now at an end and neither of us are looking forward to the long trip home.  We leave tomorrow morning to go to Washington.  Our flight is at 10:10pm tomorrow night to London, and then from London on Thursday evening our flight is at 9:10pm arriving in JHB on Friday morning and eventually getting to Durban around 1:30pm.

Michelle signing off ….

Erie to Morgantown, WV

Another warm day with a bit of wind.  Temperature +- 25⁰C (78⁰F).  Had a good breakfast and then went to the waterfront area known as Dobbins Landing.  It is the hub for travel and trade in Erie.  There were quite a few marinas along this section of lake Erie. 

From there we left the state of Pennsylvania and went into Ohio where we stopped off in Andover at the local Mc Donalds to use their wi-fi (and no, we did not eat anything!!).  We continued through Youngstown and just outside Beaver we went into a serious cloud burst which lasted only about a minute or three.  It was quite strange as it was bright sunshine all around us.   After we crossed the Ohio river we stopped at the Mc Donalds in Beaver to plot our route.  This time, we had something to drink.  At 2:30pm we stopped at a rest area just outside Washington P.A and made some rolls for lunch that we could eat in the car.  These rest areas are so neat, tidy, clean and we certainly felt safe being there.  We then carried on and arrived in Morgantown at about 3:45pm and checked into the Econo-Lodge.  This is a university town as just up the road from our motel, was the West Virginia University and there were just so many young people walking or riding around.  After unpacking we went to a local mall and did some shopping and then bought supper which we had in our hotel room.

Michelle signing off ….

Niagara Falls

Sunny and warm today and got hotter later +- 26⁰C (81⁰F).  Had a quick breakfast and then headed off to Niagara Falls.  We got there at about 10am and boy what that a sight to see!!  They were absolutely magnificent and we even got to see a lovely rainbow over them.  Photos just don’t do them justice; you have to be there to see for yourself.

We first went to the Observation Deck which extends over the gorge a bit.  Then we went to the Bridal Falls and then took a walk across two bridges over the lake to get to the Horseshoe Falls.  We could see Canada on the opposite side of the gorge.

After taking in the sight of these wonderful falls, we decided to have an ice-cream to eat whilst walking back to our car.  Yikes it was huge and this was only 1 scoop!!

We left Niagara Falls at about 12:30pm and took the Seaway Trail down the coast through some historic towns, stopping along the way to do our own “tailgating” (eating from out of the back of your car) and eventually reaching Erie.  We booked into the La Quinta Inns and Suites and after unpacking headed off into the town.  We wondered around a few shops before heading off to the Texas Grill for supper.  I had a “Rattlesnake Marguerita” and boy was it huge! but very enjoyable.  After a great dinner of ribs for Dereck and Chicken for me, we headed off back to our hotel.

Michelle and Dereck signing off ….

Bedford to Rochester, NY

The temperature today was +- 16⁰C (64⁰F).  We had a lovely breakfast, packed the car and headed off towards Buffalo, NY.  The sun did come out and it actually got quite warm.  We made our first pit stop at Phillipsburg at the Mc Donald’s (no we didn’t eat anything!) to use their Wi-Fi to confirm the route we were taking.  We continued on through a lovely little old town called Ridgeway.  We eventually stopped in at Seneca (an Indian Location) for lunch.  We changed the Garmin to take us the shortest route and ended up going through the country roads.  Just before Cuba, N.Y we passed a farm that had Llamas.  We stopped so that I could go and look at them and of course take some pictures.  I was a bit hesitant to go too close as I had read somewhere that they spit.  They were quite curious to see me and the one kept “smiling” at me.

From there we drove through Belfast and arrived at Rochester at about 5pm.  We booked into a Days Inn motel and after unpacking the car we went to the local Walmart and finally bought our suitcase.  We also got some supper there and then headed off back to our motel for the evening.

Michelle signing off ….

Washington DC - Bedford, PA

It was raining today and very muggy.  The temperature was 23⁰C (75⁰F).  We had a quick breakfast, packed the car and then headed off to Manassas which is a civil war battle site.  This is where “Stonewall” Jackson got his name.  Dereck and Doug watched a simulated battle while Sue and I walked around the souvenir shop.  It was raining too much for us to be able to walk around the site, so we headed off the US Air and Space museum. 

The museum was very interesting and there were a lot of planes, missiles and space craft on show, some being the only item ever made. 

After lunch we then took Doug and Sue to the airport for them to fly back to London.  We have had a great time with them and it was sad to have to say goodbye to them.  We then drove through to Bradford, Pennsylvania where we booked into a Best Western motel.  After unpacking we took a drive into Bedford to see if we could find a Walmart to buy another suitcase.  This Walmart didn’t have a luggage department!!  We bought supper at the local deli market and then headed off back to our motel.

Michelle signing off ….

Washington DC - Day 2

It was overcast today, but very muggy.  The temperature was about 25⁰C (77⁰F).  We caught the Metro into Washington and got off at the Union Station stop.  We stopped for a quick bite to eat before heading off to see the inside of the Union Station.  Oh wow, it was so impressive!

From there we got the Metro to the Arlington Cemetery.  Due to its size we decided to take the bus tour.  Our first stop was the President Kennedy Memorial where an eternal flame burns.

We then headed off the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.  A guard is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and every few minutes he marches 21 steps across a black carpet.  This is the highest salute for a military dead solder (the 21 gun salute).  Had a look at the lovely Memorial Amphitheater , which was really impressive.  We then headed off to see Arlington House. This was the home of Robert E Lee until 1861 when the Federal troops occupied the estate using Arlington House as their headquarters.  We also saw the Women in Military Service for America memorial.  It is wonder to see the grounds so nicely kept and lots of lovely trees and plants growing in the gardens.  After the grass has been cut, there are people who walk with blowers to blow the cut grass off the tombstones.

We then walked back to the Metro and got off at the Pentagon Mall.  We wandered around the mall for a bit, not before having a Hagen Das ice-cream.  At about 4:15pm we left to go and meet Doug and Sue at the Hard Rock Café.  After a refreshing drink we went down the road to Harry’s and Harietta’s restaurant for supper.  It was still quite warm, so we sat on the sidewalk.  Very different!

After dinner we walked back to the Metro to get the train to Huntington and as we came out of the station we were greeted with this wonderful view of the sunset.  We decided to walk back to our motel (about 1.5km) where some beers and drinks were in order, out on the verandah.

Michelle and Dereck signing off ….

Washington DC

Took the Metro undergrounds into DC this morning at 09h30. Trip takes only 20 mins and trains are fast and clean. Doug & Susan were going to spend the day on the hop-on hop-off bus for the day as they had not been to DC before. (We were here last year and did this)  We got off at the US Capital building and took a walk around it. Queues were too long to consider a visit inside and security is very tight around all the government buildings. There were protesters in front of the Capital building who were protesting health care reductions proposed by the government. Had a late breakfast and did some shopping and walked along the Mall for a while. Then walked on to the White House to visit Obama but he was in NYC.  Pity as I had some good advice for him for dealing with the loonies in the Republican presidential nomination ;-)

Took the metro back out to our motel at 4pm and then took a drive to a nearby shopping mall. Clothing is very cheap here and many good bargains can be found. Had a great meal at “Famous Dave’s  BBQ Pit” where they tried their best to feed us to death … again !!!

Doug & Sue got back after a long day at 8pm and we finished the day off with few more Yuengling’s !!!

Pennsylvania to Washington DC

Very overcast and it had been raining during the night - 15⁰C (63⁰F).  We left after having a cup of coffee.  Just before getting to Oxford, we crossed over Highway 1.  We stopped just before Elkton at the Mc Donalds so that we could plot our route to Washington DC.  We drove into Delaware and through a town called Middleton.  This was a pretty place with lovely big houses and sprawling gardens.

We went over the Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake Bay and then over the Pearl Harbour Memorial Bridge.  There were a lot of marinas on this bay. 

We arrived in Alexandria to check into the Days Inn, but our rooms weren’t quite ready so we headed off up to the road to “Five Guys” and had the best burger ever, for lunch.  We then took a drive to a shopping mall, but ended up leaving after about an hour as there were more shops shut than were open.  We checked into our motel and just chilled for a bit.

At 4:45pm we got the courtesy bus to the station and then headed off into Washington DC to see the theater that Lincoln got shot in and then went to the Hard Rock Café (which was just down the road) for supper.  After supper we wondered around a bit, slowly making our way to the underground station to catch our train back to our station.  We then caught a taxi back to our motel, were Dereck and Doug killed a few more beers.

Dereck .... Yuengling is my favorite

 

Gettysburg to Intercourse, Amish country, Pennslyvania

Overcast today, but pleasant.  After packing the car we headed off to the Gettysburg Soldiers Cemetery.  The cemetaries and other war sites are so well looked after and I certainly felt very save whilst wandering around.  From there we went to the visitors center to buy a book.  I got to sit with Lincoln!!

We then headed off to Lancaster which is Amish country.  We drove through some of the Amish towns – Bird in Hand, Paradise and Intercourse before heading back to Lancaster and we booked into the Canadian Motor Inn.  After unpacking we then headed off to Dieners Country Diner for lunch.  It was a buffet and again some of the people eating there were a cause for us to have a good laugh!!   We then headed off to the “Kitchen Kettle Village” in a town called Intercourse.  Their village sign is the most stolen sign in the USA – I wonder why??  We wandered around all the little shops and then took a drive through the countryside.  What a stunning place.  It was so nice to see the open fields with farm animals in them as well as all the vegetable fields.  The Amish still use their horse drawn buggies to get them around and also the implements used on the farm for ploughing etc .are drawn by horses.  It was also strange to see their washing hanging on long lines outside in their gardens.

We headed back to our motel and Doug, Sue and I went to see a typical Amish Farm and House.  It really was very interesting to see how the Amish live.  We then headed off to do some shopping at a nearby mall.  When I arrived back at the motel the sight that greeted me was Doug and Dereck drinking beers and in the room was a fridge full of more beers!!  I think they were having withdrawal symptoms as some of the counties we have been in have been dry and no alcohol has been served in the eating establishments we have been to!!  We took a walk to a country restaurant a block or so down the road from our motel for supper and enjoyed the walk back again afterwards.

Michelle signing off ….

Gettysburg

Sunny but cool today 12⁰C (57⁰F).  After breakfast we checked out our motel and headed off to Gettysburg.  Whilst going on a detour we saw 3 white tailed deer running through an open piece of land.  Once in Gettysburg we were lucky enough to find a motel – The Three Crown Motel – right in the centre of the main street and at a very reasonable price too.   After unpacking, Dereck and Doug set off to go and see some civil war sites while Sue and I took a walk into the town, stopping off at all the little shops along the way.

At 12:30pm we met them back at the motel and from there they took Sue and I to The Outlet Shoppes (which was a mall of brand name factory shops) while they went off to explore more war sites.  At 3pm they came and collected us and we all headed off to see the Pennsylvania Monument and then went back to our motel.  Dereck and I took a walk into the town before getting back to the motel to meet Doug and Sue for supper which we had at “Gettyburg Eddies” which was virtually next door to our motel and came highly recommended.  We had a good meal with lots of laughs and then headed back to the motel to plan tomorrow’s activities.

Michelle signing off ….

Dereck says ....
One cannot begin to describe how historic this town is and particularly to the American people as the Battle of Gettyburg was one of the most decisive battles in the American Civil War and probably decided the outcome of the war, as well as how the world is today !!  I'm sure things would have been very different today if the CSA (Confederate States of America) had won the war. The devisions between north & south are still very evident in everyday people and you get the feeling that those in the southern states still resent the north. 11,000 soldiers died over 3 days in the battle of Gettysburg and the battlefields are perfectly restored to how the battle took place on 1,2,3 July 1863.  A great place to vistit even if you are not that interested in history but the mother load for history buffs. Hope to go back there someday with more time ....

Cheers
Dereck

Skyline Drive - Virginia

Another cool day today which required us to wear our jackets – approximately 12⁰C (57⁰F).  After chatting to Grant and Cassandra we checked out of our motel and headed into downtown Lexington to the cemetery to see the memorial of Stonewall Jackson.

We then headed off to the Washington and Lee University (which operates on an honours system) to see the Robert E. Lee Chapel.  Dereck and Doug did the tour while I wandered around the beautifully kept gardens.  There were quite a few people who came along the pathways walking their dogs.  We then headed off to a coffee shop (to use their wi-fi) and a good excuse to have something to drink and planned our next move. 

We
left Lexington and headed off to drive the Sky Line Drive through the Shenondoah National Park.  This drive was along the crest of the mountains and the views were absolutely breathtaking.  The roads and grass areas are so immaculately kept.  Our first stop was at the Loft Mountain lookout where we had lunch.  It was rather cool here about 10⁰C (54⁰F).  Along our route we saw a white tailed deer cross the road to join its mate in the trees and a little further along the road we came across a male white tailed deer just standing on the side of the road. 

Our next stop was at Big Meadows and shortly after we continued on our journey as we rounded a corner  we saw lots of cars having stopped.  What we saw was ……. a big black mama bear with 3 little cubs who were playing and jumping around.  We had been joking that we would like to see bears and this was an absolute treat to have seen them so close to the road, even though they were in the bushes.

Our next stop was at Skyland where the annual “Apple Butter Festival” was taking place.  There was a vintage car display, food and craft stores, a live country band and of course the apple butter being made.  It gets cooked over a fire in huge pots with someone stirring until it is ready which is apparently 12 hours.

We stopped off in Berryville before arriving in Frederick where we booked into the Days Inn.  After unpacking we headed off into the town and I found a Michaels while Doug, Sue and Dereck headed off to Target.  From there we went to a “Bob Evans” restaurant for supper. 

Dereck and Michelle signing off ….

Blowing Rock to Lexington, Virginia

Sorry we have been a bit slow with the posts but it's been hectic and we haven't always had a good wifi connection ... ;-(

Today was rather cold at about 10⁰C (46⁰F) and at 8:00am the sun had not yet come out.  We had a nice selection of food for breakfast after which we packed the car and headed off to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Our first stop was at the North West Trading Post where they had a quaint little shop with some really nice arts and crafts.  This Parkway is just so scenic and you see the mountains and trees for miles ahead of you.  Our next stop was at the Blue Ridge Music Centre which celebrates the history and performance of old time mountain music of Virginia and North Carolina and is mainly concerned with local artists who best show this history.  Every summer it has a schedule of events related to a concert series.

From there we came off this highway and made a stop in Galax at the Mc Donalds to use their wi-fi (which was also a good excuse to have something to drink) so that we could plot where we were going.  We then popped into a grocery store and got some ready made lunch to eat whilst on the road.  We headed off to Lexington.  There was a horse show on during the week-end and the few motels we enquired at were full and we eventually found a Days Inn a little out of town. 

After unpacking we headed off into town but the visitors centre had shut at 5pm, so we walked around the town for a bit and stopped by a couple of the shops that were open.  We then headed off to the “Country Cookin” restaurant for supper.  This was a buffet and you should have seen the type and size of the people there.  You would swear that they had not eaten for a week.  Their plates were piled high with food and they even went for seconds and thirds!!!!

After dinner and lots of laughs we stopped off at a Walmart for some supplies before making our way back to our motel.

Michelle and Dereck signing off ….

Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway & Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Today was very overcast with the sun trying to come out.  The temperature was about 20⁰C.  We left at about 8am and as the shops only opened at 10am, we decided we would find somewhere later and have brunch.  We headed off to Asheville.  We found parking in the historic downtown area and caught the trolley bus to do a tour of the town.  It was very interesting and there is a lot of history to this town.  It was a lot cooler here and at one point along the tour even started to rain a bit. 

We left Asheville at about 12pm and got onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Oh wow, the views were amazing.  We got up to about 4700 feet.  There was just layers and layers of mountains and due to the weather being a bit misty we couldn’t see them that clearly.  We drove through to Crab Tree Falls to have lunch but when we got there were advised that the restaurant had closed down.  We were starving!!  In Doug’s words “after eating the last of the peanuts starvation stared us in the eyes”.  We had to drive another 30 minutes to get to Little Switzerland where at 2:30pm we found a restaurant for lunch.  

After lunch we headed off to Boone to find a place to stay.  There was nothing suitable there, so we continued on to Blowing Rock and found the Hillwinds Inn.  After checking in and getting warmer clothes on we took a walk up the hill to the main street.  Most of the shops were shut at 5pm.  After checking out the few that were open, Dereck and Doug found a tavern called “Glidewells Tavern” where they decided a drink was in order.  Sue and I carried on walking around and joined them a bit later.  We met the bartender  – Lindsay – who was most friendly and chatted to us the whole time we were there telling us a bit of history of the town.  We ended up having supper there – Doug and I had gumbo and Dereck and Sue had chicken fingers.  Most enjoyable.

We then headed off back to our Lodge, but on the way passed the “Six Pence Restaurant and Bar” and Dereck and Doug could not resist a visit.  They had a beer while Sue and I had hot chocolate.  We then walked back to our Lodge for a good night’s rest.

Michelle signing off ….

Cheerokee & MaggieValley

Today we headed off across the Blue Ridge Mountains into North Carolina and took the famous bikers route known as the “Tail of the Dragon” where bikers and sports car enthusiasts come from all over the world to ride this 11 mile (approximately 18km) stretch of road which has 318 curves.  It was very picturesque.

After completing the “Tail” we headed off to Cherokee.  After wondering around some of the shops, we headed off to “Paul’s Restaurant” for lunch.  After lunch we headed off to the Bear Zoo.  It was an experience to see these wonderful creatures, but was really sad to see them in such confined and unnatural spaces.  There was a monkey there that kept mooning us !!

We then headed off to Maggie Valley.  We arrived there at about 3pm and checked into the Greenside Lodge.  We managed to get rooms with a balcony overlooking the creek.  While Dereck, Doug and Sue went looking for a grocery store, I took a walk up the road to look at the local shops and guess what, I found a scrapbook shop.  Again had things mainly related to the area, but got a few other goodies as well.  After wondering around a few other shops, I walked back to our lodge to find Dereck and Doug sitting by the creek drinking beers and listening to music on Doug's iPod.  Later on we took a walk down the road to the Moonshine Grill where we had supper.  The weather was quite a bit cooler compared to previous evenings.

 

Michelle signing off ….