Gettysburg

This morning we drove two hours west to Gettysburg National Park, the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and one of its major turning points. It was also the site where President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. After seeing Lincoln's home in Springfield on our trip out, we enjoyed learning even more about him in another of his most famous settings.

I'm almost always impressed with the way the National Parks system cares for our country's historic landmarks, and this was no exception. In fact, from what I've seen, it is one of its best efforts. We started our visit at the brand new Visitor's Center where we watched a film narrated by Morgan Freeman, called "The New Birth of Freedom," that explained all about the battle and its significance. Then we got to see the Gettysburg Cyclorama. It's a panoramic painting of the battle, where the viewers stand in the middle and experience the battle as though they were in the midst of it. The audio and light display that goes with it makes it feel like a very modern performance. But, in fact, cycloramas were invented in the 1700s and became very popular a century later, when they were transported from town to town and provided entertainment much like the movies do today. It is said that when the Gettysburg Cyclorama was created, many of the battle's veterans came to view it and many wept, it was so realistic. The story of how this enormous piece of art was found and restored is an exhibit in itself at the museum.

I could have spent hours looking at the thousands of artifacts on display, from the Union and Confederate troops to the civilians in the town of Gettysburg. But that would have been a few hours too long for my kids. So, we took a self-guided driving tour around the battlefield, stopping at various monuments and trying to remember some of the military strategy as told in the movie. The battlefield is well marked and there are several ways to explore, either on your own or through guided tours.





Tonight, we're staying in a little town in south central Pennsylvania. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm really looking forward to getting back to my kitchen and preparing some homecooked meals. A couple of days of road food is more than enough. Most of the hotels we stay at have free breakfast buffets, so we'll have a light breakfast, grab some muffins and fruit for a snack later on. But it's harder to find a variety of choices for lunches and dinners (that don't cost an arm and a leg).

One of the many fun aspects of this trip has been the ability to communicate with Dan and Joe while we're gone and share the trip with them. We've been taking pictures and texting them from some of our stops. Sitting on the deck at the shore house, I could call them on the phone and chat while looking at the view! Ah, I could get used to that! But three weeks is a long time, and we're looking forward to meeting Dan in Kansas City on Saturday. He'll join us for the last baseball game of our trip and drive home with us. The Friday after we're home, Joe will come home for a few days. So much to look forward to!

We've had such a good time on this trip. There have been a few of "those moments" when the road started getting longer, the GPS was not cooperating, and someone - in major frustration - threw a hissy fit. But the kids soon calmed me down, we stopped for ice cream and all was well.

Simple living

Today and tomorrow we're traveling through Pennsylvania. We decided to take a couple of days driving through because we didn't want to rush through Lancaster County and we also want to stop in Gettysburg tomorrow.

I snapped this picture through the window of the car, so it isn't very clear. It was taken on one of the backroads of Lancaster, a boy who looked to be a teenager at the reins of the six mules, hauling a wagon loaded with bales of hay. It was so exciting to see! The farms in Lancaster are so beautiful, with huge barns and silos. The Amish drive their buggies along the side of the road. We loved seeing the little children, the girls in bonnets and the boys in straw hats, peeking out of the back of the buggy windows.

It was a good day. We stopped at some of the Amish shops and a farm where Emily got to feed some of the animals. We got to our hotel late in the afternoon and all took naps before going to dinner. We walked to a nearby restaurant and then took a short walk around some shops before coming back to our room. The weather for this trip has been so beautiful. Today, the temps are in the low 80s, the humidity is low and the skies are blue. Tomorrow -- onward to Gettysburg!

Jersey Girl

Tonight is our last night in New Jersey. Tomorrow morning we'll start our trip home. We'll be on the road for five days, taking our time and visiting some more sights along the way.

I've enjoyed every minute of our stay in my native state. Our week at the shore was the highlight, no doubt about it. But the best part was spending time with my aunt Madeline and cousin Jackie and her family. It's been a year and a half since we'd last seen each other, so we had lots of catching up to do. It was the first time in many years that Jackie's kids and my kids were together, so that was fun, too!

I got to do just about everything in Jersey that I wanted to while I was here. I saw the Statue of Liberty (which is technically in New Jersey, folks). I swam in the ocean, sat for long hours on the beach. I had a juicy Jersey tomato and some of the best, sweetest Jersey corn. I heard strains of my mother's voice as I listened to my aunts and uncle and cousins. I drove the Turnpike and survived, sat in my car while someone else pumped the gas (something I've not experienced in any other state), and remembered "my exit" off the turnpike. I breathed in the lovely aroma of the pine trees after a soft rain. Surprising as it may be to a lot of people, most of the state of New Jersey is rural. There's a reason that it is called the Garden State, as evidenced by the abundance of foliage and flowers and trees. It truly is a beautiful state.

On one of our shopping trips, I found a car sticker that says Jersey Girl. Luke insisted I buy it, since he has heard me sing nothing but praises for this state in the past two weeks. It's funny because I only lived here for a short time in my life while I was growing up. But some places don't require a lot of time to become a part of who you are. My roots are here, and they are very strong and run deep.

However, I admit that I'm looking forward to getting back to Colorado. I imagine how we'll search for the first glimpse of the mountains after we cross the Kansas border and drive across the big open prairie. I know that as much as I'll always look forward to my trips "back" east, the wide open spaces of the prairie, big blue sky and majestic Rocky Mountains are truly home for me. I can't imagine living anywhere else, but neither can I forget the place that was my first home.

Lady Liberty

We're spending our last couple of days visiting some of the sights here in Jersey. Yesterday, I took the kids and we drove up to see the first house I lived in as a child. It was fun seeing the neighborhood, remembering landmarks that were so important to me. Where I caught the school bus, the places my brothers and I used to play, the empty field at the end of the block where one of our neighbors planted his garden. It was such a treat to be able to ride in the back of his pick up truck all the way around the block, all the kids among the watering cans, rakes and shovels. I'm sure he appreciated having every kid in the neighborhood on hand to help him plant his vegetables.

I even got to visit with our neighbor who still lives next door to our old house. She filled me in on all the news of the past 40 plus years. A few of the families we knew still live there, although several others have moved or passed on.

Today, we braved the Jersey Turnpike and went to see the Statue of Liberty. It was an absolutely beautiful day. We caught the ferry on the Jersey side and toured Ellis Island. Unfortunately, tickets to climb the Statue of Liberty up to the crown are booked several months in advance, so we didn't get to go inside.

Tomorrow, we'll spend the day getting ready for the return trip to Colorado. Still lots of things to see on the way, and Dan will be meeting us part way! We're all getting a bit homesick, but are determined to enjoy the final week of our vacation.

Kath, this one's for you;)

Saying goodbye to LBI

Our week at the shore ended the day before yesterday, but already it seems so long ago. We made lots and lots of good memories. I already miss the sun and the sand, the smell of the suntan lotion, and the sight of all the kids, huddled together around the kitchen table at the end of the day, all tan and sunkissed, heads bowed over a game of some sort.

I also miss the morning breakfasts of fresh bagels, jelly donuts and crumb cake. Coffee on the deck, watching the sun come up. Listening for the bells of the ice cream man. Carrying beach chairs, umbrella, towels and beach bags across the hot sand. Collecting shells. Riding waves. Watching the kids on their boogie boards. Staying up way too late and still rising at the crack of dawn. Marveling at the ocean view every morning and every evening.

We'll bring home lots of memories, baskets of shells, a baggie full of beach sand and pictures galore. And a couple of these little guys. . .
We now have two hermit crabs to add to our menagerie at home. I hope they travel well, as we have a along drive home.

Barnegat Lighthouse

Oceanfront

The location of our house is like having a front row seat to one of the greatest shows on earth. It would seem that the view would be pretty much the same from day to day. But depending on the day or the time of day, the ocean seems to put on a different face. In the mornings, it is deep blue and the sun glistens and sparkles on the surface. Sometimes it is gray, somber and brooding. By the afternoon the waves are rolling in, dancing on the shore. Our evening walks are noisy as the waves, by this time, are rushing in, one row barely breaking before the next comes in, crashing upon the first.

One morning, we sat at the table having breakfast and a school of dolphins swam along the shore, cavorting and playing, chasing a kayaker out for a morning workout. This evening, a group of surfers were parasailing down the shoreline, putting on a show for us while we ate dinner. And we are not spared the commercials because during the day, small aircraft pull signs that advertise everything from insurance to happy hour to gamblers' anonymous meetings.

No matter how much time the kids spend swimming during the day, they end up in the water in the evenings when we go for walks on the beach and look for shells.


Jeanne and Paige
Makayla and Madeline.
Another perfect day at the shore.