Day 4

 

We woke to a snow covered, 30° campsite, but like the previous night, our down sleeping bags and van heater kept us warm.

Our campground is in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park which is about 20 miles north of Gettysburg.  Located on the mid point of the Appalachian Trail, its elevation is much higher elevation than Gettysburg, so rain in Gettysburg, often turns to snow in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

The roads back into Gettysburg are surrounded by fruit orchards whose trees are just starting to blossom.

In Gettysburg we picked up coffee, pastries, and sandwiches at the Gettysburg Baking Company, and then headed to the the National Battlefield Park where we followed the Auto Tour.  Although we’ve visited this battlefield many times, we always enjoy re-turning to it.  It has become a required pilgrimage for us.

The Virginia memorial including the equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee

Little Roundtop

The Monocacy National Battlefield Park commemorates the July 9, 1864 "battle that saved Washington".  On this farmland along the Monocacy River 15,000 Confederate soldiers fought a much smaller Union force of 6,600 soldiers.  The Confederates did not anticipate that they would encounter any resistance on their march to capture the Union capitol, so although they won the battle, they were prevented from capturing Washington.

The Worthington farm

The Thomas farm.

Leaving Monacacy, we continued south to Richmond where we took a self guided driving tour of the state capitol building, the White House of the Confederacy, and several of sites that we'll visit tomorrow.

Our dinner destination, Mama J's Kitchen

Mama Joni enjoying Papa's Punch:  spiced rum, blue curaco, grenadine, pineapple, cranberry and orange juice

Southern Comfort Food:  fried chicken, string beans, cornbread, and mashed potatoes