Post Remembrance Day Gettysburg Roamings

With the Remembrance Day activities over for me, I had a chance to visit some friends and take a nice leisurely trip through the battlefield and environs. My first stop was at Maggie's to say hi. She had to work Saturday so wasn't able to enjoy the festivities. On the way to Maggie's from Chambersburg I went down a little road and passed by a really old cemetery. So after my visit I went back for a closer look.










Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read any of the stones. I was told it dated back to Revolutionary times and there are also some Confederates buried there.

I headed over to the battlefield and as always stopped at the visitors' center. It was hoppin'. Several authors were in the bookstore signing copies of their books, none civilian centered. But Ed Bearss was there signing his book on Petersburg. It's kind of cool when you see someone in person you know from TV programs. But I had met him before several years ago when I worked at the Texas Historical Commission. He was visiting with one of our historians and happened to be in the building in which I worked. I did buy a book, Don't Hurry Me Down to Hades. Would really like to see the bookstore carry more civilian memoirs and such.


I took a drive over to the Pennsylvania monument.

 I went up to the top for the first time.

At the time I was the only one up there and I started to hear military drums in the distance; it was pretty eerie. It was a jam session over at Devil's Den, but still pretty cool.

I then went back to town and had lunch at Cafe Saint-Amand, one of my favorite eating places in Gettysburg. It was then time to go home. I had a great weekend, always enjoy visiting "the 'Burg", especially dressed up. Hopefully, next year I'll be able to stay in town, either on the square or on Baltimore; I would love to stay closer to the action.

Remembrance Day 2014

Another Remembrance Day. I wasn't sure I was going to go, so my room reservations were a bit last minute. For those of you in the know, know this is not a good idea. Almost all rooms in Gettysburg were booked and those that weren't came close or exceeded the $200 mark. Couldn't do that, so ended up at the Days Inn in Chambersburg. It was a bit of a drive to Gettysburg but the price was right. One year I will get a room downtown (if I don't live there first.)

I arrived Friday afternoon and went straight to Chambersburg. I realized as I was packing that I had some mending to do. I wore my wool conference dress and paletot as the weather was forecasted to be just a bit chilly. (This photo is from a different event). You can see the construction and the full dress at this post.

I left for Gettysburg early. Not knowing for sure what parking was going to be I first planned to park at the battlefield visitors' center and taking the bus in. However, since I was so early I parked at the college and walked to the square. I stopped at a little cafe on the square for something to eat.

It was then time to shop. I started at the Gettysburg Hotel on the square. Several vendors were there selling everything a reenactor might need including books. Believe it or not, I did not buy any books. But Lucy's Hairworks was there. She is usually one of the vendors at the Civilian Symposium in Harrisburg and I have admired her work for years but had never purchased any of her work. This time I did. 

 

These earrings are two in one. The hair bobbles at the bottom can be removed and just the stones worn or with the two together. Had to have them. 

I then headed to the 1863 Inn. I took the back way and wondered around back neighborhoods and checked out the architecture. After visiting the vendors I went out to Steinwehr and people watched. The street was crowded with reenactors at all levels of authenticity. 

 

When it was time to gather for the parade I headed over to find the 97th PVI. I decided not to walk in the parade so I could take pictures. 

Spectators crowded the street. 

I walked up Baltimore and stopped to watch the parade with Carolann Schmitt and her husband, Don, from in front of her office. I have posted a few photos and videos here but you can find more photos and videos on my Facebook wall. 

During the parade I found out I missed some of the vendors at the Gettysburg Hotel, so after the parade I headed back over to see what I missed. And I did miss this great belt buckle the first time but not the second. 

It's gutta percha and I think it will go well with several of my dresses. Following my purchase I went over to the Ragged Edge coffee shop to attend a post parade gathering. However, only four of us showed up; even the person that suggested the gathering didn't show. But we had some great conversation and warm drinks. While at the coffee shop I found out about a dedication at the Daniel Lady farm, so decided to head out there to see it. 

 

When I arrived the two bands representing the Union and Confederate were playing. These bands were made up of Scouts. 

During the ceremony flags from the 1860s US, the Confederacy and today's US flag were raised and a stone marker revealed. Also the ashes of several retired flags were spread over the memorial garden next to the barn. 

Dinner with the Schmitts at Hickory Bridge Farm ended the living history for the weekend. I'll post about my rambling on Sunday in the another post.

Harper's Ferry 2014

This will be short. On the way home from Steamboats I stopped at Harper' Ferry. I really wanted to visit the bookstore. I was a bit disappointed in the selection of civilian books but bought a bunch anyway; enough for the clerk to offer holding my purchase until I was ready to go. Then I walked around. Went into several of the exhibits and walked up to the upper town. So here are a few photos and more can be seen here.

Steamboats: Belle of Cincinnati

Our last ride of the weekend was a dinner cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati.

For dinner I wore my black dinner dress.

The meal was fine but the company was better.

The views from the deck of Louisville and the other boats at night were beautiful.

But the highlight of the evening were the fireworks!

Additional videos can be found here and photos here.  

I really liked this event, despite the modern DJ during dinner and the meal issues. The ball was beautiful and the cruises fun. Karen has other civilian grand events planned so check her website for information on future fun weekends.

On my drive home I stopped at Harpers Ferry for a short visit. I'll cover that in my next blog post.

Steamboats: Belle of Louisville

Our next boat ride was on the Belle of Louisville. This was for her birthday cruise and parade of the other boats at the event. The weather was not as lovely as the day before, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the ride. We went out on the deck for only a short time this ride.

But ended up spending most of the ride inside with friends.

And then visiting the workings of the boat.

This ride did have a few bumps, mainly the boat caterers did not plan for enough food. We ended up going to the boats snack bar and getting hamburgers. I had a feeling they knew they didn't have enough food as they announced before opening the tables to take only a little until everyone gets some. Many passengers were a bit put off as we had paid for the food and ended up paying again.

However, it was still an enjoyable ride.