Day 47 - Gettysburg

Off to Gettysburg today.  It is very humbling to see these grounds.   Nearly 10,000 deaths over the three day siege.  Imagine 3,000 dead a day.   Both the Confederate and Union forces had more than 23,000 total casualties apiece. The battle took more American lives than any other battle in the history of the United States. Gettysburg is still the largest battle to ever be fought on American soil. The Union victory over the Confederacy ended Lee’s invasion of the north. Lee would never try to invade the Union again. The Army of Northern Virginia would never get their strength back. Lee never had more than 51,000 men the rest of the war. Numbers from the Union forces wore down Lee and his army.  This is why Gettysburg was such an important battle and is said to be the turning point of the Civil War.

Imagine charging up this hill against Union cannons and rows of Union soldiers.

This building is one of the entrances to the cemetery.

So many buildings still stand to display an era.

Being Saturday, there were a few car clubs around cruising the area.

I'm no Abe Lincoln.

Another cemetery entrance.

This tower statue at the high point of the cemetery marks the spot where President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address.

So many graves and markers.  Many Unknown occupants.

There were many of these as well.  This one 425 unknown bodies buried here.

After we left we managed to find a Starbucks.  I have posted pictures of so many beautiful Starbucks, it is only fair to post this one, the ugliest one I have ever seen.

Before going home we stopped by the Renaissance Faire in Mannheim.

We weren't in costume but the Brewery did not seem to care.   After testing a few we decided on one that would satisfy our tastes.

Time to go before we had a few too many.  Only five minutes to the trailer.

Of course, worth a stop to see a Divine Swine.   Or taste a Divine Swine.

And a statue of the Divine One himself adorns the patio.

Tomorrow we will go to Hershey.  It was cloudy all day today but high 70's and perfect for getting around.   Tomorrow it is supposed to rain so we may have to stay indoors and eat Hershey Chocolate all day.  We do what we must, of course.  Thanks for following along.