Gettysburg? July 4?

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Thanks, I am looking forward to it! I'd like to take the trailer but figure it will be easier just going by bike - maybe I'll call a couple of RV parks in the next week or so but I'm guessing I won't have much luck. I'll bet they already have reservations for 2013!

I think if we go to Gettysburg with the bike it might also be interesting to run down to Harpers Ferry - looks to be interesting and a very attractive area for touring.

Brian

Ahhh another biker with a Goldwing. I've had 3 and the area is spectacular to ride around especially on a wing. Best campground is Drummer Boy or Round Top. Getting away from Gettysburg to rent a room would be a hike to Frederick, Maryland but it's between Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry. The other direction would be York Pennsylvania, or Westminster, Maryland.

Good Luck

[Lily&Me]

We have been to Antietam, Chickamauga and Gettysburg in the last couple of years. All of them very sobering, awe-inspiring experiences. Can't remember where we camped, as it was secondary to the whole experience, but highly recommend everyone visit them.

My great-grandfather was a chaplain for the Confederacy at Chickamauga, and a great-uncle who was Confederate Artillery died at Antietam. We found the area where he was shot and the home-turned-hospital where he died. The Confederate dead were relocated from that battlefield after the war, however, and "went into the ground known, but came out unknown" as the historian told us.

The historians at these places are amazing, so full of information and the battlefields so well marked that you can literally retrace the steps of your ancestors.

"Confederates in the Attic" is an excellent book, and helps tremedously in understanding the passion that re-enactors feel for this period in time.

If you go to Gettysburg in October, however, watch out for stinkbugs! They love the aluminum, swarm everywhere and ride inside on your clothing, hair, etc. We were finding dead and live ones for months after our visit.

Travel safe,

Maggie

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by gatorboy

If you're interested in Civil War reenactments and reenactors, I would highly recommend reading Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz.

Pete

Thanks pete - just checked it out on Wikipedia & will order a copy!

Brian

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Emerson77

Brian,

I would imagine that every campground (and there are quite a few) in and around Gettysburg is booked for July 4th. However if you don't require full hookups and can manage with just electric, there are a lot of nice PA State Parks within an hour of Gettysburg that may have sites still available.

We regularly camp at Cowans Gap SP, Gifford Pinchot SP, and Codorus SP. All three of these are very nice and would be less than an hour from Gettysburg. Caledonia SP is a really nice area, the campground is okay, but I'm sure it is booked by how close it is to Gettysburg, but you can check.

You can check for site availability and make reservations online, here is the link to their website...
Pennsylvania State Parks - Camping - PA DCNR

Good luck,
Eric

P.S. I live about 20 mins from Gettysburg, and my grandparents (who we bought our AS from last August, and who were avid AS'ers for ~50 years) have a farm in the heart of Gettysburg. Over the years (since 1953) they have found a lot of artifacts (cannon balls, shells, medical bottles, syringes, etc). Their farm butts both the Virginia and North Carolina monuments, and their bank barn was a field hospital, so it is quite rich in history. In fact, I believe they were the first site picked to have the filming of the movie Gettysburg, although my grandfather chose to turn down the offer.

Thanks Eric, I am still checking various options. I did find a few days ago that Pine Grove Furnace SP had a few non-serviced sites available, may be gone by now.


If we take the Airstream, I'd prefer a place with hookups - but the maybe this would give me a way to convince "She who must be obeyed" that we really do need a Honda EU2000i !!

Interesting about your grandparents' place. I have a metal detector that I sometimes take on TV trips, although I don't use it a whole lot. I imagine that anywhere around Gettysburg is verboten for use of these toys - unless you are able to use it with permission on private land. Sure would be fun to have a look!


Brian

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

We have been to Antietam, Chickamauga and Gettysburg in the last couple of years. All of them very sobering, awe-inspiring experiences. Can't remember where we camped, as it was secondary to the whole experience, but highly recommend everyone visit them.

My great-grandfather was a chaplain for the Confederacy at Chickamauga, and a great-uncle who was Confederate Artillery died at Antietam. We found the area where he was shot and the home-turned-hospital where he died. The Confederate dead were relocated from that battlefield after the war, however, and "went into the ground known, but came out unknown" as the historian told us.

The historians at these places are amazing, so full of information and the battlefields so well marked that you can literally retrace the steps of your ancestors.

"Confederates in the Attic" is an excellent book, and helps tremedously in understanding the passion that re-enactors feel for this period in time.

If you go to Gettysburg in October, however, watch out for stinkbugs! They love the aluminum, swarm everywhere and ride inside on your clothing, hair, etc. We were finding dead and live ones for months after our visit.

Travel safe,

Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Even for someone like me with no related family history
whatsoever, (we are originally from the UK) the whole subject of the civil war is fascinating and awe inspiring. I can just imagine what is must be like for people who can trace involvement of their ancestors.

I will certainly buy a copy of "Confederates in the attic!"

I hope we do get to tour the area this summer, apart from the history aspect it seems a very scenic area

Brian


PS - I'm sure my wife is getting fed up with hearing me practice civil war tunes on my banjo over the last few weeks since I suddenly developed this interest!

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by arcamedies

Ahhh another biker with a Goldwing. I've had 3 and the area is spectacular to ride around especially on a wing. Best campground is Drummer Boy or Round Top. Getting away from Gettysburg to rent a room would be a hike to Frederick, Maryland but it's between Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry. The other direction would be York Pennsylvania, or Westminster, Maryland.

Good Luck

Yep, it is a bit tempting to take two wheels instead of 8!! "Mrs" is ok with that, but I think she'd prefer the trailer - mind you she also enjoys not having to cook, so maybe hotels could be an attraction!

I made a small trailer that I pull behind the Wing on longer trips. I built it initially with the idea of tent camping. I got all the gear, but truth to tell, we find bike-camping camping is a bit of a hassle if you are on the move with the bike each day. Besides its nice to enjoy a nice shower and comfy bed after a long day in the saddle!

We still take the bike trailer though even if using motels, its nice to have the extra space for lawn chairs cooler, rain gear etc.

I really love touring on the Wing, it is a 2006 GL1800 and I have ridden it from our home near Toronto to both the east and west coasts and also to Florida. Looking forward to a few trips this summer - whether or not it gets to go to Gettysburg!

Brian.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by arcamedies

Ahhh another biker with a Goldwing. I've had 3 and the area is spectacular to ride around especially on a wing. Best campground is Drummer Boy or Round Top. Getting away from Gettysburg to rent a room would be a hike to Frederick, Maryland but it's between Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry. The other direction would be York Pennsylvania, or Westminster, Maryland.

Good Luck

Your tip worked out fine, we are now booked in to the "Drummer Boy" surprised they had a space. From the website it looks a very nice park.

While we are in the area I'd also like to visit Harpers Ferry, I'll check the distance and either leave the trailer at Gettysburg or see if we can get a place near HF. Someone said there is a Jellystone Park nearby

Thanks again (No Goldwing this trip I guess ...... damn!)

Brian

[Emerson75]

Brian,

There is a KOA in Harper's Ferry that is nice, we stayed there once.

-Eric

[gettysburg]

Here is a link to get 1/2 off price of admission to the Gettysburg Reenactment if anyone is interested. Half Off Central PA: Also, on this link is half off Land of little horses & the Ragged Edge Coffee shop. But, check to make sure they can be used when you come to gettysburg. (There may be a expiration date or limited time only offer)

[Getaways]

I can't wait to get an AS. Still waiting for my ex to sell the house.

Went to a camping show and won 15 free nights at a RV resort that butts up against the southern portion of the Getttsburg battleground.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by gettysburg

Here is a link to get 1/2 off price of admission to the Gettysburg Reenactment if anyone is interested. Half Off Central PA: Also, on this link is half off Land of little horses & the Ragged Edge Coffee shop. But, check to make sure they can be used when you come to gettysburg. (There may be a expiration date or limited time only offer)

Darn! Just got our tickets in the mail from Gettysburg yesterday! Oh well!

At least we managed to get a place close to Gettysburg for the trailer (The Drummer Boy) so we won't have to drive too far.

After the weekend I had thought about moving the trailer down near
Harpers Ferry for a visit, but it may make more sense just to stay on longer in Gettysburg and take a day trip down to HF.

Brian.