28 June 2021

Gettysburg Battlefield Pennsylvania

Memorial for Lincoln's Address/ Sutton 2021

The Gettysburg National Military Park is located in south central Pennsylvania close to the Maryland border. The Civil War battles fought there in July 1 through 3 of 1863 were critical in determining the future of the union.

On July 4th, heavy rains came and General Lee led the Confederate army away to the south after losing more than one-third of his men. The human toll was horrendous. As the tide of battle raged back and forth, casualties mounted to some 23,000 Union and 28,000 Confederates men.

Entrance to the Battlefield is free but there are fees for tours, a film, Cyclorama, and a museum. We decided to purchase a package onsite because of a fairly strict refund policy. We entered the visitor center when it opened at 9:00 am. We secured an 11:00 bus tour and got into the first film show.

Waiting for the Visitor Center to Open

The informative film, A New Birth of Freedom, is narrated by Morgan Freeman and provides an overview of the three-day battle. Following the film, we entered the 360 Cyclorama painting of Pickett's Charge, which was also narrated. The painting is incredible and offers a sense of the battlefield as you walk around the room. Beneath the painting are battlefield artefacts adding depth to the experience.

A Cyclorama Scene

We got the bus at 11:00 for a two-hour tour. The guide was a local history teacher who provided an excellent summary of the three-day battle as we stopped at various spots. He added personal stories to give you a behind-the-scenes feel for the 1863 battle.

One of the first stops was the memorial flame atop a hill giving a nice overview of the area leading to the July 1 battle.


We drove past various state monuments making our way to Little Round Top where the Union had the high ground advantage as can be seen in the photo below. In the distance to the right of center are the boulders of Devil's Den. We are learning about the second day of battle.


Our tour ends with a summing up of the events on Day 3. Although both sides lost so many men and the Union appeared to have the upper hand, General Meade did not pursue General Lee's troops. The war would continue another two years.



We left for a late lunch at a nearby restaurant then returned to see the museum. There was so much to see so it took us till closing time at 5 pm to wend our way through the story beginning in the prewar years. The museum contains what we would expect nowadays--uniforms, weapons, writings, enlarged photos, and historic films. 

Unfortunately, like many museums I have reviewed on this blog, the old style lighting makes it difficult to read some text and masks some artefacts in shadows. The audio from poorly situated videos blends with ambient sounds of people having little interest in the experience and the seating leaves you twisting your neck to watch the screens. 

Despite the shortcomings, I recommend the package unless you have considerable knowledge of the battle and the battlefield.

Before leaving the area, we stopped at the cemetery. As we entered, we saw the memorial honoring Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Nearby a guide waited to offer a free walking tour of the cemetery. This was most informative. 


We learned about the symbolism on some of the memorials, poignant stories of a few soldiers, and the likely scene where Lincoln delivered his famous speech, which was likely not at the site of the attractive memorial below.


The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Soldiers National Monument, Gettysburg/Sutton 2021



In the photo below, a licensed guide tells about two lads from Rhode Island.



Below is a video taken from Little Round Top showing the advantage of the Union troops looking toward the Confederate line. The group of boulders is Devil's Den. A few people in the video give some perspective on the size.






Some notes
There are two websites to check for information.
  1. The National Park Service site: https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
  2. The Gettysburg Foundation where you purchase access to the tours and other experiences:

There is a large gift store in the Visitor Center.
Restrooms are in the Visitor Center and elsewhere on the battlefield--see the official map for details.

There is a bag check upon entering the Visitor Center. When we visited in June 21, the sign said no backpacks but women carried in bags larger than my daypack and at least one man went in with a backpack.

You can take backpacks on the Bus Tour.
There are other tour options available.

The History Channel has a helpful overview of the Battle at Gettysburg

Link to information about  Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Suggestion: Watch Ken Burns' Civil War Documentary







 

21 June 2021

Choo Choo Barn Strasburg Pennsylvania



The Choo Choo Barn is an amazingly detailed model railroad and village display in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. I highly recommend a visit if someone in your family or group enjoys model railroading and creating model villages. It's one of the best.


The Amish farm includes animated workers building a barn.


The amusement park includes moving rides.


There's a diary barn too.


The fire scene is amazing as first responders leave the firehouse to tend the fire at the A-frame


An old locomotive passes the lumber yard


See the action on the ski slope.


Count how many animals are moving in this zoo.


A short video includes several scenes, which I hope illustrate why I think the Choo Choo Barn place is worth visiting. [No, they did not pay me to advertise or endorse their attraction.]

From my  YouTube Channel, SuttonTravels


Notes
There is a fee to enter the attraction.
You get a scavenger hunt page to find details among the village scenes.
It's family friendly.
There is a store.
It is close to the Strasburg Railroad and Pennsylvania Train Museum

Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

Links to Choo Choo Barn maps, directions, and website on   GOOGLE




 

Flight 93 9/11 Memorial Pennsylvania

United Airlines Flight 93 left Newark NJ at 8:42 AM for San Francisco.

Warning: The text includes disturbing descriptions of events and
quotes from passengers on the flight.


Visitor Center/ 911 Memorial

 The hijackers attacked at 9:28. While traveling 35,000 feet above eastern Ohio, United 93 suddenly dropped 700 feet. Eleven seconds into the descent, the FAA’s air traffic control center in Cleveland received the first of two radio transmissions from the aircraft. During the first broadcast, the captain or first officer could be heard declaring “Mayday” amid the sounds of a physical struggle in the cockpit. The second radio transmission, 35 seconds later, indicated that the fight was continuing. The captain or first officer could be heard shouting:“ Hey get out of here—get out of here—get out of here.”(1)


 The Flight 93 Memorial is a National Memorial hosted by the National Park Service. We walked slowly along the trail.

 

At 9:57, the passenger assault began. Several passengers had terminated
phone calls with loved ones in order to join the revolt. One of the callers
ended her message as follows: “Everyone’s running up to first class. I’ve got to
go. Bye.”
The cockpit voice recorder captured the sounds of the passenger assault
muffled by the intervening cockpit door. Some family members who listened
to the recording report that they can hear the voice of a loved one among the
din. We cannot identify whose voices can be heard. But the assault was sustained. (2)


Visitors can circle a trail conducive to reflection on the way to the site where passengers attacked the men who hijacked their flight, which was headed toward Washington DC.

Crash site/ Debris field


In response, Jarrah immediately began to roll the airplane to the left and right, attempting to knock the passengers off balance. At 9:58:57, Jarrah told another hijacker in the cockpit to block the door. Jarrah continued to roll the airplane sharply left and right, but the assault continued. At 9:59:52, Jarrah changed tactics and pitched the nose of the airplane up and down to disrupt the assault. The recorder captured the sounds of loud thumps, crashes, shouts, and breaking glasses and plates. At 10:00:03, Jarrah stabilized the airplane.
Five seconds later, Jarrah asked,“ Is that it? Shall we finish it off?” A hijacker responded, “No. Not yet. When they all come, we finish it off.” The sounds of fighting continued outside the cockpit. Again, Jarrah pitched the nose of the aircraft up and down. At 10:00:26, a passenger in the background said, “In the cockpit. If we don’t we’ll die!” Sixteen seconds later, a passenger yelled, “Roll it!” (3)

There were no survivors. The plane crashed upside-down at 563 miles per hour into this Somerset County field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 

There were 33 passengers and 7 crew members.

Wall of Names Flight 93

Our flags along the wall







President Bush's Speech 20th Anniversary 9/11 2021






Notes

Inside the visitor center is a timeline on several boards that tells the story of Flight 93 from takeoff to crash using explanatory text, photos of the crash and responders, videos from 911 news stories, and emotional audio recordings of calls from passengers recorded on home machines.

There are rest rooms and a gift store.

Rangers are available.

About photos: I took the photos when we visited the memorial 15 June 2021, which is the 20th year since the 11 September attack.

Website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm

my website   www.suttong.com

____________________________

Learn more about Flight 93:  AMAZON BOOKS      GOOGLE

Footnotes

The 9/11 commission report: 1. page 29.  2. page 31.  3. page 32

Reference

The 9/11 commission report: Final report of the national commission on terrorist attacks upon the United States (2004). U.S. Government Printing Office. 0160723043






Longwood Gardens Pennsylvania

 

Longwood Gardens are a beautiful collection of indoor and outdoor gardens and fountains located in Eastern Pennsylvania on land previously occupied by the Lenni Lenape tribe. Later, Quakers farmed the land. Pierre S. du Pont is recognized as the founder of the gardens.

One trail leads to a bird-friendly meadow, a small pond, and an old house.

A variety of outdoor gardens offer a diversity of flowers and plants.










The indoor gardens are fabulous.



There are fountains and water features throughout the park. 



There are periodic shows at the main fountains.


Following is a video I took 4 June 2021. It includes a part of the fountain show and is available on my YouTube Channel SuttonTravels.


Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

   and see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

 TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

__________________________________

Google Reviews and Directions

Books about Longwood GardensAMAZON      GOOGLE

Longwood Gardens Website 




18 June 2021

Gift Ideas for Travelers

 We are always on the lookout for products that make traveling  more enjoyable. Of course, our style may not suit your style.

I hope some ideas are good even if you buy a better product.

And, ideas can be helpful for Father's Day, Mother's Day, Birthdays, Christmas, and any time you are looking for a gift idea.

Binoculars

Any good pair of binoculars can be helpful if you like better views of landscapes, wildlife, or special events. I have a pair with an easy zoom- here's a few on AMAZON.

Trekking Poles

We like to hike. I bought this Cascade Mountain Tech and have been happy with the purchase. This was helpful in hiking upstream at Zapata Falls.


Folding Chair with a Canopy

We wanted a folding chair with a canopy rather than mess with an umbrella. This Kesyus model worked for us at the Jersey Shore.


Pixel Phone / with a great Camera

I liked my iPhone but I like the flexibility of the Pixel phone and using Google Fi for my cell provider. I have used the phone on cruises and in other countries. One of my English cousins called while we were driving through a tunnel in Pennsylvania. We had a clear signal through the tunnel.

Hats
We both have hats with broad brims. I got this one with a neck flap because I burn easily.




I got a Mpow 5.0 headset and I am happy with it. I use it at home and on the road. There are plenty of high priced models that probably sound better. And of course there are the small buds. To each his own. 

Tripod

Sometimes I take better pictures than at other times. My old tripod broke after a couple of decades. I got this Victiv 72 inch model in 2020 and I am still happy with it.  The included remote works well and the phone holder also works well. It was helpful in getting long shots of Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park.


Security

The AMAZON smart plugs work well for turning on and off  the lights when we are away.

I use GE dusk to dawn bulbs for the outside lights. The sensor is built in to the LED bulb.

We also have a Simplisafe doorbell and security system. There are several systems to choose from. The doorbell works fine. We can see who is at the door or just look out front from the phone app.

Backpacks

I have an OlarHike waterproof lightweight daypack for short hikes. What I like is the small size and it is waterproof.

My larger pack is a lightweight Nike. 


Hiking Shoes

Always good to have a pair of hiking shoes in the car. My wife and I have been happy with Sketchers.

Cameras

I've used different cameras over the years.

One all-purpose light weight camera is the Lumix. It shoots 4K, has a 3 inch LCD and 10X Fx.8- 5.9 zoom. New features come with new models so you will just have to see what's best when you are ready. I got my Lumix in 2016 and it has been a great camera when I want a zoom or longer video than I can store on my Pixel Phone. I also purchased extra batteries after mine went dead during a wildlife safari in India.

I also bought a Go Pro Hero 9 Black, which is great for shooting 4K+ videos with a super light weight camera. I like it for videos while hiking or when in motion situations like train journeys. There are different kits with various accessories. I have extra batteries and memory cards.

For wildlife, I use my Canon D70 with a Sigma 150-600 Zoom lens.



Some examples of photos with the Canon D70 and the Sigma zoom lens can be seen at Rocky Mountain National Park and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge.

Books and Tablets

My wife and I consume a lot of books. Some we get on Kindle. My wife has a Kindle Fire 10 inch and I have an iPad Air. When in doubt, a gift card can be a good idea. My son and daughter in law gave me an Audible gift subscription--that works too. Kindle Unlimited Free Trial  link