Shenandoah NP

                                                             

  

Nature's Calling!

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to recreation and re-creation. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky…and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!

July 15 -17 2014

This park was a nice change of pace for us. We divided the park into 3 loops and took in the upper loop first. Shortly after entering the park we spotted a small black bear crossing the road, not close enough to get a good look at it but nonetheless it was a bear sighting. We made a stop at Dickey Ridge and watched the movie, then we made the drive down stopping at the overlooks for the scenery. There were lots of great views and it turned out to be a great day for picture taking. The second day found us back in the park on the second leg. We added a deer sighting to the list and made a stop at the Big Meadows Visitor Center. The VC had a great section on the founding of the park and the effects on the local population that had called the area home. We finished up the Middle loop with more overlooks. We did not start the lower loop and there are many trails yet to explore, so this will be a return visit to finish it up.

NPS Website

Our 32st NPS Unit and 5th National Park

Monocacy NB

The Battle that Saved Washington, DC

During the summer of 1864, the Confederacy carried out a bold plan to turn the tide of the Civil War in their favor.  They planned to capture Washington, DC and influence the election of 1864.  On July 9, however, Federal soldiers outnumbered three to one, fought gallantly along the banks of the Monocacy River in an effort to buy time for Union reinforcement to arrive in Washington, DC.

14 July 2014

We had a great time here. This is a battle that gets little attention but played a huge part in the Civil War and even though it was a Union loss, the 24 hours it delayed the Confederate troops gave time for the Union to move troops into position to protect Washington DC. The VC has great displays and tells the story nicely. The battle ground tour is short enough to complete in half a day. This being our 100th park and the 1/4 mark of our quest to see all the parks will make this a special park for us.

NPS Website

Our 100th NPS Unit

Eisenhower NHS

                                                                     

Ike, Gettysburg, and the Cold War

Eisenhower National Historic Site is the home and farm of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Located adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, the farm served the President as a weekend retreat and a meeting place for world leaders. With its peaceful setting and view of South Mountain, it was a much needed respite from Washington and a backdrop for efforts to reduce Cold War tensions.

12 July 2014
Eisenhower used the quiet setting of the farm to host world leaders and with this rural and relaxed setting he was able shape decisions that would affect generations to come with the leaders that visited here. We had a great tour guide and had an enjoyable visit.

NPS Website

Our 20th NPS Unit

Gettysburg NMP

                                                             

A New Birth of Freedom

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the Civil War's bloodiest battle and was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".

10 - 13 July 2014

This is a return trip for us. We have been looking forward to this for many years. This visit did not disappoint us. We took in the new Visitor Center and Movie "A Birth of Freedom". The Visitor Center also has the restored cyclorama. This is a MUST see. Afterwards we took in the David Wills house, the home where Lincoln stayed before he gave his Gettysburg Address. We paid our respects at the National Cemetery where I have a family member interned. Day two found us doing a 2 hour horseback ride through the Battle Field. This was on our must do list and we had a great guide. The ride gave us a great perspective of the size and scope of this battle. This 3 day battle encompassed 6,000 acres. We will be back for a return visit.

NPS Website

Our 19th NPS Unit

Cyclorama

                                           

The Battle Field on Horseback