Walking Pickett's Charge: Gettysburg Battlefield

Since we live in Gettysburg, we usually don't pay any attention to the historical significance of the landmarks around us.  We drive past amazing monuments and through battlefields that are still visited by military personnel this day to learn from what happened here 150 years ago.

One particular portion of the vast battlefield, which covers a good bit of the country on all sides of town, is famous for being the location of Pickett's Charge.  A last-ditch, all-out effort by the Confederates to defeat Union troops in their own backyard.  Many thousands of lives were lost that day on both sides.

On a day off, we decided to play tourist and do something we have never done before-- walk the famed one-mile of ground covered by the Confederates on July 3, 1863.  This somber day in October was still and quiet, but we felt the effect of what happened here so long ago.  This is what we saw.

Part of the "Lee" monument at the top of Seminary Ridge.

I'm really glad the cannons are empty these days!

The Pennsylvania Monument

The next several pictures were taken from the vantage point of the top of the Pennsylvania monument.

Prayerwalks, coffee & hanging up clothes

Washline & "coffee table"

Yesterday was my first of (hopefully) a trend of early-morning prayerwalks. What is a prayerwalk, you ask? Well, I started reading a book called PrayerWalk by Janet Holm McHenry. I’ll be reviewing it on here after I finish it. But even though I’m just halfway through, it inspired to me to give it a try. I set out to walk for an hour, concentrating on praying the whole time. It was great! I was focused on God and His amazing creation and I had plenty of time to talk to Him about lots of stuff. I’ve tried praying on my bicycle, but somehow my mind wanders more then.

Note my fancy clothespin bag which my son brought back from a trip to Ecuador.

Normally, I have my devotions with my second cup of coffee. But yesterday, since my devotions were on the move, I had to have my second cup at the washline. I love to hang clothes outside to dry (except when tourists are walking by and I can feel their eyes on me. I refuse to look at them. It’s just weird. I live in a Civil War hospital house and I always feel like they expect me to be wearing a hoop skirt instead of cargo shorts and a T-shirt, but I digress). I even had to bring a “coffee table” over to the washline, but it worked! Now if someone could tell me how to keep my coffee filter from caving in and spilling grounds down into my coffee pot, I’d appreciate it.
By the way, this morning was my second prayerwalk, and I had more trouble staying focused. I knew this is bound to happen, but I refuse to give up so easily.  One thing-- it sure is easy to praise God when you’re outside in nature—especially for the first Queen Anne’s Lace of the season.

Pedal Pushers

Not everybody has a bike, or likes to ride one¸ or has a good place to ride one.  Well, don’t fret, because I’m going to take you with me today!  It just so happens that my dear Biker-Guy-Husband got me a very nice bike a couple of years ago and I like to ride a couple of times a week for the exercise.  I don’t really like to exercise.  That sounds sweaty and stinky and conjures up images of red faces and damp socks.  Ew.   But… I don’t want to get old and flabby.  The old part is inevitable, and I’ve found that flabby is really easy and happens without trying.  So, I ride my bike because I have to.

Now comes the good part.  I live in an area with gorgeous country roads.  Yes, I have to deal with those rolling Pennsylvania hills, but the sights and scents are absolutely spectacular.  Come on now!  Hop on your virtual bike and ride with me today.  (Since your bike is virtual, you can have any color, any number of speeds… AND you can have a matching helmet.  You do still have to wear a helmet).  My bike is pearly white.  I’m thinking of naming her “Althea” but I’m not sure yet. My car’s name is Chad, but that’s another story for another day.  Pull on your spandex shorts and let’s go!

Yeah, this is as much as you're gonna see of my spandex shorts.

Bikes get to go where cars can't.

An old holey-floored bridge.

Breath deep.  Aaah.  Honeysuckle is one of my all-time favorite things and it's everywhere this time of year.  Mmmm.

Didn't notice the dew til I disembarked from my bike.  Who knew crown vetch could be so gorgeous!

It's always fun to ride past farms.  I like 'em.

Feel the cool breeze coming off the creek.  Stop here on the bridge for a minute and listen to the trickling water.

Breathe deep again.  Smell those pine trees coming up?  Mmm.

The smells are some of the best things about our ride today-- new-mown hay!  (Fortunately I have no seasonal allergies!)

Katie's favorite house.  Give it a wave as you ride by.

I personally have a thing for old white farmhouses.  Love the balcony, old pump and windmill at this one!

Hop off, grab your water bottle & take a break on this bridge.

Watch out for the poison.

Serenity.

A little creepy?  Yes, but cool too.

Does your virtual bike have a little bell like mine?  It's good for telling squirrels to get out of the way, or to warn people that you're coming up behind them.  It's not nice to startle critters or people.

Guess we better stay on the road.

Watch your speed, people!

It's a hot day and the flies are biting.  Hiya, hosses!

Whoa! This huge flock of Canadian geese just flew over our heads.  Luckily nothing fell from the sky.

A new landmark for my ride.  I call it The Castle.

Old farmhouses are just so charming!  It's nice that we get to see so many along our route.

Amber waves of grain.  These wheat fields are awesome as the stalks bend & sway gracefully in the breeze.

Can't believe we haven't seen one single cow today.  I like to say Hi to them when they're out.

We did it!  Back home again, feeling virtuous about accomplishing a ride.

 

How do you feel?  Are you energized from the ride, or do your legs feel like noodles?  I hope you went for this ride before it got too hot, because it’s a scorcher today!  Thanks for coming with me.  It’s been fun!