For my brother, C.J.'s 14th birthday, he decided he wanted to go to Gettysburg. So my Mom, Charlie and C.J. came in on Saturday night and stayed with us in PA until yesterday! We had cake (I attempted to make peanut butter frosting... it didn't go so well, but it tasted good. Anyone have a good recipe?) and gifts Saturday night after C.J. went swimming. 
Sunday, we got up bright and early and made the 3 hour drive to Gettysburg. We started at the visitor's center where we watched a film, went through galleries of their museum and saw "The Battle of Gettysburgh" painting by Paul Philippoteaux in the Cyclorama Experience.
After 2 hours in the visitor's center, we started our self-guided auto tour around the 24 mile route. It took us over 3 hours to trace the three day battle and reach all 16 stops! There were tons and tons and tons of monuments. After taking pictures of each one during the first couple stops, I gave up and just took pictures of "the big ones". There are so many! The biggest, by far, was the Pennsylvania Memorial. It was gorgeous. All the names of every soldier who participated are on tablets 
around the bottom. C.J. and I climbed a very tight, winding staircase to the top and were greeted with a beautiful view of Gettysburg. Though we didn't leave Gettysburg until after 9 p.m., there was still so much that we didn't even see! It was amazing. I just love history =)
The following day, though we were exhausted, we headed for Ohiopyle state park. C.J. and Charlie fished while Mom and I had a picnic. No fish were caught, but the scenery was beautiful!
Finally, though we were even more tired, we headed to Pittsburgh. I have to admit, Pittsburgh is a pretty city. What other city is surrounded by 3 rivers? There are TONS of bridges and nice tall buildings. Makes for a pretty good picture, I think. There's a
cable car railway that goes up the side of Mount Washington called "The Monongahela Incline". It's really neat because it's from 1870 and still works. It's the oldest, steepest incline in the U.S. There are observation decks that give you a fantastic view of the huge city. Ta-da! You don't even have to imagine what our view looked like, I took pictures =)
4 comments:
Everything looks really cool. I'm glad you had a good time! The cake looks pretty good to me. Good job!
I have never heard of Peanut Butter frosting. Sounds really yummy!
WHat a fun trip. That is so nice you are close to so many places. The East coast must be a blast. Glad you are coming West though soon!
I'd love to see Gettysburg! Soak up all the history you can while you are on the East Coast!
Um, excuse me but CJ looks like he's a grown up man in these pictures! :D Wow- I remember when he was just a tiny little guy watching Barney. (I may have to tell him that the next time I see him just to embarrass him...)
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