I think the highest the temp went was about 82F, but it was Gorgeous! My son and I suited up for a ride to Gettysburg. We were taking the Rebel as my leg still isn't strong enough for handling the wing. First thing was to check the oil - tad log. Check the air pressure in the tires - a bit low. Rear valve was actually loose and leaking air! Thanks to the metal cap with seal it prevent my tire from actually going flat! Fixed the valve, filled the oil, used the bathroom one more time and we were off!
We took mostly back streets and only had to hit the highway for a few miles. Once off the highway again we were on the main road leading into Gettysburg. We passed an army supply store and decided we just had to stop there on the way back home!
Once into Gettysburg we promptly started our quest to find some place to eat. After a short drive around town and a nice trip the wrong way on a one-way street we were finally parked. I'm so happy I put money in the meter! Meter Maids were out and about and the bike in front of me had a nice surprise for the owners when they arrived.
We found a place for lunch which was pretty much a really old country store and grill. They have something like 150 different types of soda! Mushroom and Swiss for me and a Steak 'N Cheese for Curtis, drinks and fries I was now $22 in the hole!
After lunch we visited several of the local stores. Reenactors everywhere in preparation for the shows going on over the weekend. It was probably pretty nice for for them not to have to wear those wool uniforms in temps over 80.
After the stores my bum leg was hurting a bit so we decided to head out to the battle field. First stop was at the old visitor's center only to discover it was fenced off. We continued to the new one but found that we would have had to use the over-flow parking. There's no way I would have been able to walk to the visitor's center. So, we decided to take the tour on our own.
First stop was at a very large memorial for, well, I just don't know... We stopped and took some photos next to a cannon which now is shooting wasps out the barrel due to the large nest situated inside. Once on the large memorial we discovered a door in one of the columns. This column contained a spiral stairway to the top of the memorial. I've been to Gettysburg probably 20 times and I'm pretty sure I've been to this memorial in the past. But I don't ever remember being allowed up to the top of this memorial so, this was pretty exciting. There was an awesome view from the top. The air was so clear we easily had 20 miles of visibility.
Next we traveled down the road and ended up going the wrong way and out of the battlefield. A quick adjustment had us back down-town Gettysburg. Finally we were back on the tour and came to another look-out tower. There were 159 step to the top of this thing. Last time I visited this tower I had just had my appendix out 5 days prior and my step-mother requested I take some of her friends for a visit to the battle field. I had painful memories of climbing the steps while holding my side. This time it was quite the challenge with my leg.
After the decent I decided my leg was not going to hold out too much longer. So, we decided to continue straight to the Army Supply store and we would come back to the battle field another day. It's only 21 miles from my house after all. Going back down the road the store was covered by bush so it was upon us before we knew it. After performing a quick-stop which really caught Curtis off guard we were in the parking lot. He congratulated me on my ability to stop so quickly and still make the turn!
The store was pretty cool - as in it had a lot of neat stuff. Gas masks, bombs, grenades, bullets, uniforms, bayonets as well as other things I don't think I would want to touch for being pretty moldy and smelly after 60 years of sitting. I was pretty happy we managed to leave there without putting any cash out for stuff that would ultimately just be sitting around our house.
At this time Curtis was getting pretty parched and was wanting something to drink. Back on the road I took the highway and pulled into the Maryland Welcome Center only to discover that, while they did have vending machines, I only had a $10 and a $1 and a quarter on me and the drinks were $1.75. Had Curtis not insisted we visit one more store in Gettysburg we could have saved the extra $0.50 from the parking meter!
Oh well, I knew another place on the way home where we could get "Fresh Mountain Water" from a Grotto. Continuing on our way we were now stopping at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton - who is The First Native Born Saint in the USA! It's been close to 25 years (just a guess) since I'd last been here. It's a very lovely place. After a short walk up the path and a review of the journey of Christ from Trial to Burial we were finally at the Grotto. Years ago they allowed more intimate contact with the water source where you could fill bottles with the mountain spring water. That's changed now. We found that the access had been moved to another location where they've built a building with several water spouts for filling bottles. We didn't have bottles so we use the "Cup the Hand" method to get some drinks. Curtis was not very fond of the water as it contained a high mineral content.
On the way out we continued down another path which lead to a large pool. Here we found HUGE polliwogs. The water had a lovely emerald green color to it. Further down the path we came to the mosaics which also depicted the birth, life and death of Christ as well as the Assumption of Mary.
As we exited the area we were entertained by Civil War Reenactors who were singing and playing drums and flutes to the tune of Yanky Doodle. We headed back on the road in search of another place for a "Proper" drink for Curtis. Back in Thurmont we stopped at Sheetz for gas, bathroom and snacks. Finally, Curtis got the drink he was looking for. As we rested and refreshed we had a conversation with another rider. I've met this gentleman last year at the same location. He mostly hangs out at Sheetz looking for people with whom to chat. Very soon Curtis was hinting that he was ready to head home.
Finally, we were back home! What a GREAT day!
