A Day in Gettysburg

The day began at the visitor center where we saw a short film, "A New Birth of Freedom" and the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 360 degree painting depicting "Pickett's Charge". The photo is only a  small section of the cyclorama.

Our first tour was at President & Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower's home in Gettysburg. I found it interesting that Mrs. Eisenhower had curio cabinets chock-full of trinkets they received as gifts. There were portraits, family photos and even drawings and paintings done by Ike after they left the White House. The home was not grand at all, but was very comfortable. I found it fascinating that Mamie kept a guest book out at the entrance and everyone was required to sign it, even the grandchildren.

The farm was a short helicopter ride from Washington, so the President would go there as a retreat and even took dignitaries there to spend a more relaxed time with them. It seems to me Eisenhower was a very practical man and the impression I have of them is they were very gracious and loved family.

The rest of the day was spent touring the battlefield. Imagining the thousands of men and boys who marched into battle there delivers an air of sadness and realization that they were so dedicated to their beliefs.

History in Pennsylvania

Wrightsville is where we found John Wright Store and Restaurant near the sight where the world's longest covered bridge (5,960 feet) once spanned the Susquehanna River connecting to Columbia. The bridge was built in 1814 and destroyed by high water and ice in 1832. The replacement bridge was burned in 1863 during the Gettysburg Campaign of the Civil War. Wright's Ferry was the first means of crossing the river beginning in 1730.

We also discovered a lime kiln, used to burn limestone and turn it into lime.

Naturally, driving through Lancaster County you will see many farms similar to this one.

On the Boardwalk

As we arrived at Atlantic City we saw closed casinos and boarded up businesses. The Trump Taj Mahal is open, but not as grand as I expected a Trump business to be. We passed through the casino to get to the boardwalk. Our first stop was Landshark Restaurant for lunch. Afterward we walked the boardwalk, exploring the various shops. We entered the casinos at Bally's and Caesar's Palace and it was very noticeable that  they were less than half full. One casino employee told us business would pick up July 4th.

We made a quick stop at the nearby SAM's Club to purchase four coach batteries for the motorhome. We found the batteries were bad when we arrived  at Timberline Lake Campground. Ray and Dave got them installed and now everything is in order again as we prepare to roll on down the highway again. 

Visiting Great Friends!

We spent the day in Toms River, New Jersey with Jim & Marilyn at their beautiful home.

New York City

We started the day with a commute to the city on a New Jersey Transit train from Harriman to Hoboken then a short trip on the subway to WTC. The trip went smoothly from the automated ticket purchases to the transfer from train to subway. Linda had been to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in October so she decided to stay at the motorhome with the dogs.

Our excursion to the city centered around the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the One World Observatory. A time to enter the observatory is assigned to the tickets at the time of purchase. We had a 2-hour wait so we walked over to the memorial pools then a bit farther to lunch. There was a short wait once we returned to the observatory. At 1776 feet, the building is the tallest in the western hemisphere. During the elevator ride to the 102nd floor there is a 47 second video depicting 500 years of the Manhattan skyline, at the end of the video the doors open to the magnificent view today. There is also a restaurant there and visitors have access to the two floors below for the panoramic views of the city.

Following the observatory we went to the National September 11 Museum, where again the time to enter is assigned to the tickets at the time of purchase. Our assigned time was just minutes away. It is amazing how the museum is built around the remains of the two towers. Most of the museum is below ground level. I wonder if visitors in fifty years will still feel the same somberness we did. The sadness was intensified when we entered the room where photographs are displayed of those who perished September 11, 2001. 3,000 is a large number and upon entering the room my breath was taken away by the sight of so many, but as I read each name and examined each face the sadness was so very real for each one of them and the loved ones they left behind.

Tuesday we all took the train from Harriman to Secaucus where we transferred to another train to New York Penn Station. At Secaucus we were at the track just about to board the train, when we heard the announcement that the train to Penn Station was leaving from a different track. Everyone aboard quickly ran off the train up the stairs to get over to the correct train. We turned and followed them and learned from one of women that was the second time the train had been switched. She told us that happens regularly and she has the hardest time getting to work on time.

The others have had enough of NYC, I could stay and take the train into the city again and again, but it was time to pull up the stakes and get rolling down the highway again.

West Point

The adventure for today was a visit to West Point. We were permitted to drive and walk the entire campus. We just couldn't enter any building. The Hudson River overlook was gorgeous! I got several photos of the Parade Field and the tree planted by the class of 1874.

Bar Harbor Behind Us...

New York City ahead of us. Today is a traveling day for us. We won't try to go the entire distance today, we'll stop at about the halfway point for the night. The roads in Maine are making for a bumpy ride this morning.