Two Days in Gettysburg

The hotel Cody and I stayed in, in Gettysburg the last couple of days had lousy internet. I would have been dead and buried by the time I had gotten anything loaded on there. So now that we are in a different hotel and about halfway home I’ll make a post and catch you all up.

Our first full day in Gettysburg, Cody and I head for my present favorite place on the battle field; Culp’s Hill. It was nice when we started out walking, cutting up through the cemetery. There are cows pastured in the field at the base of the hill. We leaned on the wooden fence and watched them move around for a while when we noticed one who had taken an interest in us. The little white calf had an ear tag that read 802, like our area code at home. As the calf seemed to follow us around we named him Little 802. He became my companion when ever I started for the hill.

That first morning we got rained on, but since we were already out there on the field, what’s a little rain. After climbing the tower and showing Cody the monument for the Washington County boys , we headed for the new Visitor’s Center. It was nice to get in out of the rain, and dry out. It’s a nice up grade and proof that our Government will spend way more money than needed on showy things that really don’t need replacing, while letting our roads go to hell. Anyhow the new place is very showy, and will stand up well, it has a much bigger gift shop, and a restaurant that isn’t worth the time or space it takes up. The very best thing about the whole new place is the new walking path that comes out right across the road from Mead’s head quarters.

With the sun back that afternoon we walked around town, and had dinner at the Farnsworth House. There is a really cool brass frog in the river that runs under the buildings there.
The second evening Cody and I drove out just before sunset to Little Round top so that I could get some shots of the sun going down. We talked for a while to a man from Albany,NY who was down there to look for ghosts. He was waiting for dark to go down by Devil’s Den. I don’t get this part of being on the field, but what ever makes you happy.

Today we headed north in a driving rain. There was a short stop at Cabala’s, and than onto the last exit in PA to buy fireworks for the 4th at camp. Tomorrow we will be home, it will be good to sleep in my bed once again, and to get my kisses from Granger. I’ve enjoyed this time with Cody, every parent should do a road trip with their child now and than.

It was a beautiful suuny start to the day, and we took advantage of the breakfast offered by the hotel. Once again we traveled by way to many trees and swamp land. Most of the land along Lake Superior is what my father used to say “did nothing but hold the rest of the world together“. I did get to see a white deer along the road about an hour out of Marquette. Everything on it was white except it’s two front legs.

We rolled down to Route 2 at noon, and got our first look at Lake Michigan. Cody and I both agree that we like Lake Michigan better than Superior. We stopped a couple of places along the way to look at impressive lake [I was looking for some drift wood I could take home to Mom, but luck wasn‘t with me]. Finally just before reaching St Ignatius ,MI we sighted the great Mackinaw bridge. I wish that it hadn’t been so hazy. I really wanted to get a picture of the bridge, but it wasn’t to be. We continued along toward the bridge and stopped for lunch just before crossing at a Big Boy’s.

After crossing the Mackinaw bridge at a snails pace, with out my looking anyway but straight ahead, we got onto I-75 south, and began hell driving. There are a lot of annoying people on the road out here, and way to much road work. I was never so glad in my life to see the Cabela’s in Dundee,MI and after nine hours of travel to find ourselves at the hotel. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Express, which is a really cool place. They have an indoor water park, and a hunting lodge theme all over the place including stuffed animals in the lobby. As a plus after all the time in the car, we could walk over to the Cabela’s, and over to Bob Evens for dinner.

I am not looking forward to getting back in the car in the morning.

On the Road Again

We got up to sunshine and Spring warmth, the first I’ve been told they’ve had in Ely this year. With the house all shut down, the car loaded, we headed south out of town. There is a small amount of sadness at leaving, but Cody and I will both be back in early August.

So anyhow we stopped at what used to be the BP station, and grab a strange mix to call breakfast. Cody had a can of cold ravioli, and I had a bag of beef jerky. When got to Duluth we hit the Best Buy to pick up a couple of comedy CD for the road, and than headed for WI. We ate lunch at a little dinner, which I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. It was called the Brackers. We passed lakes including the big one, and trees, and trees, and more trees. Can anyone say long boring drive with nothing new or different to look at for hours. [Sorry I’m from Vermont, we like our hills]. Cody and I did talk about how the little towns in Michigan’s UP have seen there better days.

We stopped by the Da Yooper’s Tourist Trap. Cool place worth the time to get out of the car for. The three words Red Neck Trash about covers it. Hey where else can you see the worlds largest snow blower.

So anyhow tonight after seven hours in a rental car we are in Marquette,MI. A quick meal delivered to the room from Domino’s, and if we look closely out of our room a view of Lake Superior. It's all good.