Gettysburg Getaway

I enjoyed a wonderful weekend getaway in Gettysburg, PA. But, before I get to that, let me rewind to Thursday night.
I had a terrible nightmare, so a relaxing weekend was welcome. So, I'll be meeting up with an old friend (we actually dated in 7th grade if 7th graders can have real relationships, which I very much doubt) on Friday and am so excited! NYC here we come! I mentioned to him that another one of our classmates lives down the street from me. "I haven't talked to her in years!" he replied. OK, whatever no biggie. Apparently this is a big deal to my subconscious. I dreamed that, after meeting up, he ditched me to spend the day with the girl down the street. It seems I have some self-esteem or jealousy issues. Insecure? Perhaps. Unresolved issues? No, well, maybe, a few, a lot, more than I can list here. I mean, part of me reveled in the fact that the girl getting married in Bridesmaids is the BRUNETTE and the one struggling is the BLONDE! It's really the little things in life.
Best not to wallow in misery and self-pity, though. That gets no followers.
I left Friday morning, driving through at least 10 different rainstorms to arrive in Gettysburg, PA by mid-afternoon. On my way, I pulled off at Ashcombe Farms. I was running ahead of schedule and there were signs leading from the highway, so why not? It reminded me of Sickle's or Delicious Orchards or Terhune. Unfortunately, no apple cider donuts. Really? Poor business plan I say. How can you run a store like that without apple cider donuts? Disgraceful!
I ended up watching some honey bees on purple flowers that, according to the "pollination syndrome" literature, should be more attractive to butterflies. I saw no butterflies. Again, another situation in which the local pollinator community has failed to read the literature. And, on top of that, these honeybees were horrible models. I could NOT get a good photograph.
So for a 4-hour drive (give or take, well, take, it took me less than 4 hours - I mean, come on, I'm a New Jersey native) what does a girl like me listen to? Well, I did listen to NPR, until I couldn't find a local station anymore. Then I scanned the radio a bit, but there was a lot of country music and Jesus talk so I gave up on that. Thumbelina soundtrack! Yes! I repeat, I listened to the Thumbelina soundtrack. Of my own accord. And it was fantastic. I may instantly fall in love with any man who sings Let Me Be Your Wings to me. (Barring missing teeth or really terrible body odor or a combover.) I also thoroughly enjoy the song from the beetle ball and I really hope that the entomology department one day has a beetle ball. It'd be so fantastic.
I then moved on to the Disney collection and realized how many Disney songs there are that I don't know all the words to and that made me very sad. If you don't enjoy sing-alongs, don't take road trips with me. As I was listening to Spoonful of Sugar a stupid CT driver cut me off. Arg.
But I made it alive to Gettysburg and checked in at the B+B. Very cute and quaint and excellent location. The owners also run the store downstairs. The shop sells model planes and pin-ups and some other neat knick-knacks. I personally liked the pop-up pin-up book and was really tempted to get it (http://www.amazon.com/Pin-Up-Pop-Up-Book-Movable-August/dp/B001FVZHBA). But I restrained myself.
My friend met me a little later. He hit traffic. : ( But he got there and we started exploring that very evening. After getting a feel for the town, we stopped in the David Wills House, where Lincoln stayed when he came to Gettysburg to give the Gettysburg address. A nice museum right on the square/circle/diamond. (The townspeople clearly did learn their shapes in kindergarten.) The woman at the front desk was about to charge us both youth admission - you can't be more than 16. Thanks. Thanks a bunch. I should've just taken the youth price - it was cheaper than the AAA.
I took notes in the museum, as if this were a school trip or study abroad course. You laugh? Don't. Geeks rule the world I tell you. (Or maybe electrical engineers...actually, they are just plotting to take over swing dancing. Please see previous post.)
So, a bit about the battle of Gettysburg:
At the time, the town had a population of 2400 people. 
51,000 men were killed (and only one civilian)
more than 20,000 were wounded, outnumbering surgeons 100 to 1
3/4 of all surgeries were amputation (break out yer saws folks)
the anesthetics included ether and chloroform (by the way, I use chloroform in the lab for my medicinal plant work: I'm pretty sure there are skulls and crossbones and warnings on the bottle; we can't even pour the stuff down the drain)
Who was David Wills? Why, I'm glad you asked!
David Wills facilitated the creation of the National Cemetery. I don't think I would ever sign up for such a task.
The bodies of the Union dead had to be moved from the battlefield to the designated site. The graves of all the men, regardless of rank, are the same. A sign of equality. (Note: neither confederate nor colored soldiers were buried in the new cemetery.)
The museum also had the saddle cover Lincoln used when he rode to the cemetery dedication on 11/19/1863. I cannot imagine President Lincoln on a horse. Honestly, can you? It seems like it would be very awkward for both the horse and Mr. President.
The museum also has the bed he slept in when he stayed there. He, as in Mr. President, not the horse. Looking at said bed, I imagine that Lincoln's feet hung over the edge. He probably fidgeted a lot and struggled to make himself comfortable. I have enough trouble myself getting comfortable in beds not my own. And every bed I've slept in is certainly big enough for me!
At the cemetery dedication, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address. It took about 2 minutes (10 sentences; 272 words). Everett gave a 2-hour speech. Really? Wasn't it cold? Did people stand there the whole time to listen? I mean, did anyone really listen or did they just stand there and whisper to each other about how terribly long this speech was and really it is very cold out and there are wounded soldiers still in my house and can't we just get back to normal yet?
We went out to dinner at a pub and restaurant right on the square/circle/diamond. There are plenty of pubs and taverns. We got a little lesson in PA legislation with our dinner. No serving alcohol to those aged 21-25 if they are accompanied by a minor. My birthday can't come soon enough.
After dinner, we went back to the B+B. The innkeeper was restocking the kitchen with more "goodies" for us. Oh, she's such a sweetheart, a little too sweet, but who am I to complain. Some may say I'm just a little too bitter. I worked on GRE stuff and read Portrait of a Lady (I love classic literature; this is such a soap opera). He did genetics HW. I passed out at 10 PM. Oh, we are party people. Then again, is Gettysburg really a party town?
I woke up early Saturday morning. Not surprising in the least. I had another terrible dream. Stupid me, I checked my school e-mail before I went to bed.
Message: Dean's tour on Monday. If you're not going to be in the field, please come into the lab.
Clearly, that was not happening. I dreamed I had a confrontation with my PI about my absence and was subsequently kicked out of the lab. 
My sister and I talked briefly before she got on the plane for her own getaway. 
I claimed the only ripe banana from the kitchen. (No hot breakfast, but fully stocked with "goodies.") Not just yellow, but beginning to brown. Now that you know my preferences concerning bananas...oh, ummm...please don't think any less of me.
I went out Saturday morning looking for the farmers market which I thought would be right in town but later learned is in a shopping center somewhere. I peeked in some shop windows. One of the construction workers (roadwork) yelled to me "A little early, isn't it?" I was startled. "Umm...I was up?" He must have thought I was a creeper.
There was an antique fair going on. We picked a busy weekend! Antique fair and graduation. I love the beautiful china teacups. And all the costume jewelry.I think I could pull off a rooster pin. An alligator ring, maybe not. I have long, slender fingers that don't carry rings well. Another hint to a future suitor: no engagement ring, just earrings or a necklace please.
There was plenty of bargaining going on. One vendor was determined to sell his box of comic books to a man who clearly could not afford them. "$30. I'll give it to you for $30."
"I have $30 to my name and can't afford to spend it all on these comics."
"$30, it's a great deal."
Hmm, comic books or groceries? Tough call, man.
We walked through the National Cemetery. I loved that all the trees were labeled : ) I also noticed that NJ had plenty more unknowns than Michigan did. Even back then, Jersey wasn't really on the ball.
We toured the Jennie Wade house. The girls working the museum and shop were clearly not very excited to be there. There was an older couple buying tickets to the museum, as well. The woman was evidently upset by how much it cost and tried to haggle. Really? Come on, now. Just pay and mutter under your breath. Whatever, turns out her husband was military so they got a discount. If they didn't, we might have had another battle in Gettysburg. After the elderly couple, a family. The mother was quite peeved. "Do you have AAA?" one of the unenthusiastic girls asked. "You're only about the 100th person that's asked us that. No, we do not have AAA." Umm, sorry lady?
Walking through the gift shop, I was struck by several things:
Gettysburg battle snowglobes. The battle was in July. I highly doubt it was snowing.
Shotglasses. What alcohol do you drink from Gettysburg shotglasses? Union? Confederate? What was Lee's favorite? Did he drink So Co? All very good questions.
I was also struck by a sign hanging up outside the Crystal Wand: "No more than 2 teenagers in the shop at any one time." Haha
Candy. Did they have skittles in the 1860's? I doubt it. The forerunners of NECCO, however, did exist, though the NECCO wafer was not widely advertised until the beginning of the 20th century (http://www.necco.com/aboutus/history.asp)
(Another confusing consumer item, totally unrelated to the gift shop or Gettysburg. Razors with scented handles. My soap/shaving gel has a scent. Does the handle of my razor also have to smell good?)
So, we did make it into the Jennie Wade house. Turns out it was also her birthday. (Happy 168th birthday Jennie!) Jennie Wade was the only civilian killed in the battle. A collector still has the wood stained with her blood. Why? Why would you hold onto that? It's not exactly a good coffee table item, though I guess you could make a coffee table out of it. Ewww. While I was there, I put my ring finger in the hole the fatal bullet made in the door. It is rumored that young single woman who do this will get married within a year. Is that really the most romantic way to spur on a marriage proposal? Putting one's finger through a BULLET hole? Really?
After lunch (yum, crepes), we went on a bus tour of the battlefield. Again, I took notes. But my hand got tired after the first day, so I gave up. There was more fighting on the 2nd and 3rd days, I assure you. Our guide on this tour was much more enthusiastic. I'm not a war history buff but I found myself getting pretty interested in it. Want some history? Of course you do.
Gen. Lee wanted to move the war to the north. The south was ravaged and there was little left in the way of supplies. If he attacked Harrisburg, he could capture a key city in the north and cut off coal country. Also, a big win could inspire England and France to provide more support. His plan was to pinch Harrisburg, with troops attacking from both sides.
We passed his headquarters on Seminary Hill. Now, the Appalachian Brewing Co. is there. I'm sure Lee had a watering hole nearby too.
Lee canceled his attack on Harrisburg when he learned that Meade was moving the Union armies toward PA. Lee wanted to centralize the Confederate forces in Gettysburg. Though Gettysburg wasn't a large or influential city by any means, he could still manage a big win.
Our first stop on the bus tour was a monument, dedicated in 1938, commemorating forgiveness and survival of country and unity. It is made of both Alabama limestone and Maine granite. An eternal flame burns atop. It includes both Lady Liberty and the Spirit of the Confederacy.
I will not retell the battle. I will however, share with you one interesting fact: they took a lunch break. Both armies. I think that's fantastic.
So, a bit about some of the other folks on the bus.
We sat in the way back. Next to us was an elderly couple who likely went on bus trips with other active adults quite often.
"On other tours I don't like sitting in the back because you are always last for lunch, but on these short tours it's nice." Yes, very nice for you, because you were screaming to your wife, who happens to be sitting RIGHT NEXT TO YOU the whole time.
In the row in front of us, another older woman. She did not want to be there. She was not the least bit interested. She didn't get off the bus to see the monuments or anything. Why would you pay $25 for a bus tour of something you are not interested in? She did tell us, though, that Pittsburgh is very interesting and that should be our next trip.
Dinner at the diner (how does a Jersey native find herself in a PA diner when she hardly goes to them in her home state?) There was a trivia book on the table. And a spider lowered him/herself over our plates. So I brought him outside. Some passersby saw me and my friend said they clearly were judging me. I was saving a life, though. That's a mitzvah, ain't it?
After dinner, ghost tour! Yes! I've been on ghost tours in Cape May, D.C., Quebec, Asbury Park, and Red Bank. I love them. It started at 9 (and by about 9:30 I had to pee) and went till quarter to 11. Past my bedtime, I know. Very gruesome stories. Pools of blood and amputations and sawing off arms and field hospitals. Ick. We walked around the college campus. I don't think I'd get much sleep if I went there.
We passed a frat party. It was the night before graduation. It seems that they do know how to throw parties.
I love that our tour guides told us about some of the exceptionally stupid questions they've been asked. (I won't steal them. You just have to go on more tours.) I also love that one of the women on the tour was shocked. She needs to get out more. There are plenty of stupid people in the world and more coming through college right now.
Sunday was another busy day. In the morning, I reviewed 8th grade American History in the Hall of Presidents. 5 rooms of was figures of the presidents with accompanying audio. Some of these figures were exceptionally creepy. Ahem, Clinton. Made me wonder what Lewisnki was thinking. (I'm sorry, that was uncalled for, wasn't it.)
In the Soldiers Museum we got a quick recap of the 10 key battles of the Civil War.
We dined at the Appalachian Brewing Co. My friend was so excited to get birch beer. Is birch beer just a Northeast thing? ABC has white birch beer, which I had never seen. I bought a 6-pack. I would have loved to try their barley "wine."
We took a drive around the battlefield. I wonder what the landscape really looked like then. Farms? Grazing fields? Forest? Town? NY erected so many beautiful monuments. Even a castle on little round top. I ran into some other Rutgers students there. I was wearing an RU tee. We really are everywhere.
I saw only two NJ monuments. Both very simple and small. (One looked pathetic in front of the Pennsylvania Monument.) One was an obelisk. Both were phallic symbols. According to my Michigan friend it's because we're all pricks. I couldn't really argue, could I?
We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Farnsworth Inn. I like wearing dresses - it was nice to have an excuse to dress up. We sat outside, next to the waterfall. There was a frog statue - that made me very happy. I was also elated by the fact that the waitresses were in period dress. And the apple butter was fantastic.
Later on that evening, I took one last walk (and stumbled across an ice cream store and just had to get myself dessert. Oh my love for ice cream.) I wasn't out long though. I finished my cone and decided I was too spooked to walk around town in the dark by myself. Ah, ghost tour. I tell myself I won't let it scare me, but it always does.
We left early this morning and I made it home for lunch. Not bad time.