Civil War History - Gettysburg ForumGettysburg! It's not just a National Park. It's a Civil War Battlefield. For some it's historic and storied past are almost an obsession! All related discussions are welcome here!
Just returned from a quick visit to Gettysburg-I've lost count of how many times I've been there! It's my fave vacation spot.
I was interested to see how changed Devil's Den looked with most of the trees cleared away. It looks much closer to the 1863 appearance, which I liked, but I noticed that now there are tons of very large weeds in many places between the rocks along the top of the formation. One side was almost jungle-like in how large and thick the growth was, and the weeds were almost as tall as I am (5'2"). Plum Run was also so choked with tall weeds that I couldn't see the water.
I've never been to Gettysburg in August before, so I'm curious-is it like that every year at this time? Or are they having a problem with weeds this year?
The weeds have increased since they removed the trees from the top of Houk's Ridge, plus, it seems like this has been a spectacular growth season for all plants here. Adams County has always had a reputation for fertile gound, which is the reason that it became known for the hybridization of fruit trees in the 19th century, a trait that continues today.
It seems that this year all the plants had an incredible growth period over the last month. The corn fields around the county seem to be taller than average and weed growth is rampant throughout the county. My back yard is starting to look like something from the Amazon region and the weeds and vines are taking over.
For anyone walking through the woods on the park, be aware that this has affected the poison ivy crop as well. I was on the eastern slope of Culp's Hill Saturday and noticed that there is quite a bit of the nasty stuff, especially where the trees have been cleared from the summit. The tree line on Oak Ridge is also loaded with the stuff, as is the treeline on Seminary Ridge. Wear long pants whenever you are traipsing through the woods to avoid a really uncomfortable week of itching, scratching and (in my case) cursing <grin>.
I balk like a skittish horse at the sight of poison ivy and poison oak. We just don't get along. With all the burdens the soldiers had too bear that intensely hot beginning of July back when, and poison ivy too- ::shuddering::
Thanks for the info, everyone! I hope they can get some volunteers or something to clean up the weeds. I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that the trees are gone.
Tom, I noticed the corn! I've never been there when the corn has been that high before. It was weird to go the first day's field and not be able to see The Peace Light Memorial from across the field because of all the corn.
EWC, I live in Dearborn, MI, near Detroit, but I try to get to Gettysburg at least once a year. My hope is to work there someday so I can study it year-round, perhaps at the new museum or something.
From what I understand, the Devil's Den area of Houck's Ridge had low growth wild cover as did much of the area north and west of LRT and west of the Federal position. I have heard that the rangers are experimenting with some shrubs that grow laterally and choke out other growth with the intent of using it in those areas. Hopefully it will help with the maintenance budget.
EWC,
I know what you mean about poison ivy. To make it worse, the stuff that grows here doen't look like the ivy on the Mass coast, so I didn't recognize it. I will from now on <grin>.
Did anyone hear about the bomb scare at the Lincoln statue in front of Wills House?
Some mook left a suitcase full of shoes that were going to be donated to charity near the statue. In the post 9-11 world it was seen as a potential bomb and they called in the State police bomb unit and shut off the traffic in the square. The result ... confused tourists, traffic at a standstill on all the streets heading into the square, bomb disposal guys in the funky suits, police everywhere ... all for a bunch of used shoes.
I was stuck on Baltimore St about a block from the square and all I could see was more flashing lights than we have in the Christmas decorations on the square. Ahh ... a typical day here in the Burg <grin>.
Tomh,
Thanks for the post on GB. I enjoy reading about whats going on there. I can wade right through poison ivy and it doesn't bother me. When I was a kid I wrote my name on my arm with the juice of poison ivy. You talking about a mess. My arm was twice it's ordinal size. Since then I can pick it up and it doesn't bother me. I know your wondering why I would do that. It was durring WW2 and my uncles were coming home with tatooes so I had to have one.
Martin
__________________ "I want to bury myself in a den of books. I want to saturate myself with the elements of which they are made and breathe their atmosphere until I am of it."
--Lew Wallace, 1885
Tom- Bugger, that. But at least it wasn't a real bomb. Shudder.
__________________ 'It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag'
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Weeds at Devil's Den 
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