Day 34: Gettysburg

 I'm not sure why, but going to Gettysburg feels different emotionally than visiting Revolutionary War sites.  Maybe it's because there is still turmoil that unfolds as the result of the aftermath of the war.  Maybe it's because it was fought against our own citizens.  Either way, it was oddly eerie and beautiful to spend the day at Gettysburg.  Whereas many Revolutionary War sites look far different today because of forest regrowth, Gettysburg has intentionally been kept to maintain what it looked like those three days in July.

 Our visit began in the visitors center where we watched a movie, were able to see a cyclorama (football field length oil painting), and pick up both Junior Ranger guides and an auto tour CD.  The audio tour guided us through the day from stop to stop, reenacting the three days of battle.

 Overlooking Confederate lines.  This is the one-mile stretch that the Confederates would lead their deadly charge over.

 The famous Pickett's Charge began at this point.  The clump of trees to the right in the picture below is the "High Water Mark,"  where the Union forces were located and where they were able to turn the Confederates back.

 Little Round Top is the point where the 20th Maine division defended the end of the Union line against the Confederates.  This is a very famous scene in the movie Gettysburg.  They actually used this area to film the movie!

 Pennsylvania monument.  This monument was massive, and you could climb up to the balcony area.  As you drive through Gettysburg, you see thousands of statues and monuments to different divisions, people, animals, etc. that were instrumental in this battle.  It is the world's largest outdoor sculpture garden because of all the monuments.

 We had to return to the visitors center to get the kids Junior Ranger badges before we finished the tour because they were closing.  The three-hour tour took closer to six, and we could have spent more time!  Joey was distraught because we wouldn't let him buy "beanie-boo eagle fat."

 The High Water Mark.  This was the turning point of the battle, and it's location was beautiful.  We had lovely weather, but I can only imagine what it would have been like when it was miserably hot and humid.

 Our final stop was the national cemetery where Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address the November following the July battle.  It was amazing to be standing where those famous words were spoken.