1. From NJ to Gettysburg, PA

Day 1 - Sunday, June 18, 2000

There was a slight drizzle when I started the third camping trip of the year. Drizzle quickly turned to rain as I hit I-80 westbound at 8:30 AM. Left the interstate at exit 12 and traveled south on Warren County road 519 - a very pretty road that is definitely worth taking - even in the rain. The little Moravian town of Hope, NJ is worth a stop. 519 ends at NJ 57, which took me to US 22 at Philipsburg. Followed US 22 to Easton, PA, and Allentown. Then followed the signs to Reading, PA (on US 222) and then took SR 10 (very scenic in part) to Morgantown. Found some rather pretty backroads to take me to Strasburg via Intercourse, PA and Bird in Hand, PA - Amish country, saw lots of horse-drawn buggies.

Strasburg was on my itinerary because it is the home of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the National Toy Train Museum. Unfortunately, the latter was closed for renovation - but I greatly enjoyed the locomotives, cars, and railroad paraphernalia on display at the Railroad Museum.

Headed for Lancaster (not particularly attractive) and then followed the Susquehanna river north to the PA turnpike, the bridge, and I-83 to SR 177. Very pretty backroads ultimately led me to US 15 for a quick drive to Gettysburg.

Found the Drummer Boy campground and got a site, no hook-ups, but reasonably level. Base price $24, less $3.00 mid-week discount, less 10% AAA discount, plus tax = $20.79. This "resort" campground is said to be the nicest one in the area and Wheeler's Guide gives it five stars. Pool, fishing pond, reasonably well separated sites, a playground, laundry, and a so-so looking bathhouse are offered.

Had fun showing three different couples the interior of my Westy. I always enjoy the stunned reaction that the comfortable and roomy cabin gets. One of these days I'll put a sign on the hood to invite people to come in and take a look - a pleasant way to meet people and - who knows - I might actually get a few customers for GTRV (and get a new Westy for my efforts???)

It was hot and humid all day with the temperature reaching the high seventies. Grilled a couple of hot dogs, watched TV for a while, wrote the journal entry, and am ready to go horizontal at 10:30 PM. Was on the road for 8 3/4 hours and drove 305 miles.

Day 2 - Monday, June 19, 2000

Slept well, awakened a few times by the patter of rain on the fiberglass roof of he van. Got up around 6:30 AM and headed for the showers. Was disappointed that this fairly expensive, five star campground provides only lukewarm water in the shower.

The rain during the night helped to bring the temperature down into the mid-sixties and to reduce humidity. A perfect climate for sightseeing.

I started with the Electric Map presentation at the visitors center ($3.00 for adults, $2.50 for children and seniors) - a perfect way to gain an understanding of how the battle developed over three days. All in all, some 70,000 soldiers of the Army of the Confederacy fought some 90,000 Union men - and more than 50,000 casualties (dead, wounded, or MIA) resulted. It's interesting to speculate whether the Union troops would have been allowed to continue to fight after two days of setbacks had NBC, CBS, and ABC been there to televise the carnage. The tide turned on the third day when Pickett's charge was repulsed. I guess military historians will never agree on whether Lee's decision to charge the Union lines head-on was an act of stupidity or bravery.

My second stop was the Cyclorama Center. It offers a 360 degree depiction of Pickett's Charge - dramatically brought to life by an excellent sound and light presentation/explanation. Well worth the $3.00 ($2.50 for seniors) price of admission.

The National Park Service provides a very helpful map that lays out a self-guided auto tour. I wouldn't have gotten much out of the tour had I not seen the Electric Map and Cyclorama presentations. Decided against taking a bus tour since the tour busses seem to stop for an eternity at every state monument but do not stop anywhere else. I think my way of stopping where troop movements and engagements took place was more meaningful.

After the tour headed for US 15 south and Maryland.

Left US 15 near Thurmont, MD and took SR 77 for the Catoctin Mountain Park. The Catoctin mountains are part of the Blue Ridge mountain range, which in turn is part of the Appalachian mountains. Got a $10 dry site at the Cunningham Falls SP campground. Went for a 1.5 miles hike to the Cunningham Falls. Since I didn't want to backtrack, took another route back which turned into a 5.5 miles hike around Cunningham Lake, plus some detours. Was pretty glad to get back to the van . . .

The campground is very attractive - well separated, level, and very clean sites. The bathhouse is spotlessly clean.

Only drove 70 miles today. The evening temperature is in the low seventies, low humidity. I think I'll grill a cheeseburger tonight. I'm out of digital phone service range, so cannot connect the laptop.

Next or trip index