IrishBrigade
Private
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Location
- Mullingar, Ireland
Hi all,
Haven't been on for too long but I recently spent 4 days at Gettysburg and had a ball. I've to go through photo's and gather my thoughts but I owe this forum a trip report from the foreigner perspective.
Stayed 4 nights at the Best Western, Steinwehr avenue and it is a great spot. Lovely room, great location, lots of free parking. A very new hotel.
I drove from Washington DC which was a stressful but memorable experience. One does wonder why there isn't better public transport from the nation's captial to one of its most famous attractions but once you get to Gettysburg a car is essential.
I met some great people, it was my first time out of the big american cities. There was a noticeable difference in friendliness and people seemed a lot more genuine than the cities.
The only slightly disappointing thing was the battlefield tour guide, I got the standard two hour tour, I guess he figured I was a solo Irish guy who probably just saw the movie and didn't know too much about the battle, my constant questions seemed to throw his rhythm a bit but he was a nice guy and told me a few things I wasn't aware of.
The battlefield is really well preserved and easy to find your way around even if you drive on the wrong side of the road lol.
The museum and visitor centre is excellent with a great book selection. I also found the town itself to be lovely, not tacky as I somewhat expected. I had some great chats with people just browsing in shops including two Vietnam vets that I had to cut short our conversation as I had booked a tour. The cyclorama is just incredible.
Highlights - Probably getting to walk Pickett's charge even though I only went to the Emmitsburg road and getting to stand on both the top and bottom of the Little Round Top. It's only when you see it in person that all the maps, books etc start to come together.
My first night was a Wednesday, I left around 2pm and traffic and weather was awful and I couldn't figure out how to put my wipers on full. Anyway that I-270 confused the hell out of me but I stuck with the middle 3 lanes and boy was I glad to see that Gettysburg sign heading onto US-15. Even though I was tired and stressed I walked down to the Angle, it would probably be the only day of my life that I would stand outside the White House and overlook Pickett's charge on the same day, it was dark but I did it!
First full day was Thursday, straight to the visitor centre and see about a battlefield tour guide. Boy the place gets busy fast. I figured it would be quiet enough in October but I was wrong. The weather forecast wasn't great and there was only one guide available at 2pm so I passed and just did the cyclorama and museum instead. Easy spent 4 hours around here, could have spent more but I wanted to get a start on self driving tour so I picked up a map and headed on my way.
The tour is easy to follow, a lot of the roads are one way so us foreigners can't go wrong although one or two people did! I spent the rest of the day touring the Union lines, listening in on a few tour guides for a little extra info was good. Lots of information points and mini maps around which are great. To prospective visitors don't underestimate how long the self-drive will take and don't rush it either unless you're really stuck for time. I really enjoyed pulling up to a spot, having a wander and taking a few pics and just enjoying the experience.
Day two, Friday. I went straight to the visitor centre to book a guide for 12:45, the lady behind the counter didn't believe I came all the way from Ireland to visit, she thought I was Irish but living in the US lol. I had breakfast and walked around the town for the morning, at one of the military memorabilia stores near the hotel I got talking to two Vietnam vets who were great guys and had a really interesting shop, full of uniforms, weapons and lots and lots of books. I'm sure someone here knows who they are.
Got to the centre just in time for the tour, it was ok. I was expecting more to be honest but it wasn't a bad experience. After a little more self touring it was time for dinner and a few beers.
Day three, Saturday already. Some shopping to start the day after a nice irish breakfast at the Garryowen pub. Great pub, lovely staff and nice food. If you like your whiskey they have 95 irish whiskies for you to try out. I had my fair share of them. I got a few little bits and pieces, I could have bought a lot more but I had a backpack and didn't fancy carrying it back to DC and Ireland. There was some living historians in a camp near the Dobbin house, I chatted to them for a few minutes and they were very nice. Pennsylvania regiment who's ancestors were in the Wheatfield.
The weather was overcast but this was my day to walk Pickett's Charge. There's a nice mowed section of the grass to walk through. Two minutes to clear the artillary line from the trees and then a further ten minutes to the Emmitsburg road. It is some sight as those Union cannons just keep getting bigger. It is hard to picture what happened here, I need to see a re-enactment. Boy was I glad I wore good waterproof hiking boots, they were soaked but my feet were dry. I walked back slowly with a great deal of personal satisfaction as since I was a teenager I had heard of Pickett's charge and now 30 years later here I was walking that hallowed ground.
After that I went to the observation tower at the end of Confederate avenue, what a great view of the whole battlefield! Took a few panoramic photos, but still the only justice done to the view is in person. The battlefield is so much busier at the weekends so take note of that if you're planning a trip and don't like crowds. My last night was spent with new friends at the Garryowen pub. I didn't get to try too many of the other establishments on offer, maybe next time. But if you're onto a good thing stick with it.
Sunday arrived all too quickly, I woke early, had breakfast at the hotel and went to the visitor centre. I gave in and bought 3 books, one about Pickett's charge, one about the Irish Brigade and the standard tour guidebook which is great value at $10. As I walked to the carpark a clap of thunder was heard, at least that's what I thought, it was a cannon going off. How cool is that?
My driving was much improved and I got back to Reagan airport with no drama. I was beat, I booked the Garden Hilton for one night just to recoup and boy did I need it. I swear I didn't move for about 5 hours. A quick visit to a local bar called Tortoise and Hare for dinner which was really good and two beers did me in. I was in bed by 10pm and checked out at 12 the next day. The Washington Metro is great and very cheap so I went to Dulles airport on the Silver line and got the bus connector to the airport which is huge. The flight was on time and I arrived home to Dublin early on Tuesday morning.
Overall I had such a great time and had a great personal sense of achievement. This trip took a lot of planning, I had 3 days in DC before and had a great time touring the monuments, Pentagon and Capitol Hill. It was my first time driving in the States which was tough but I got through it and it won't be as bad next time. Maybe next time I'll fly to Baltimore and drive from there. Maybe even get another battlefield in. I did find the states expensive for eating and drinking but a trip to the Gettysburg outlet mall on Saturday afternoon did save me quite a bit of money as I bought two coats for $108 that would have cost at least €400 in Ireland. Nothing on the trip could have gone better, it has reignited my civil war enthusiasm and my feet have almost forgiven me for all the walking.
regards.
Irish Brigade.
Haven't been on for too long but I recently spent 4 days at Gettysburg and had a ball. I've to go through photo's and gather my thoughts but I owe this forum a trip report from the foreigner perspective.
Stayed 4 nights at the Best Western, Steinwehr avenue and it is a great spot. Lovely room, great location, lots of free parking. A very new hotel.
I drove from Washington DC which was a stressful but memorable experience. One does wonder why there isn't better public transport from the nation's captial to one of its most famous attractions but once you get to Gettysburg a car is essential.
I met some great people, it was my first time out of the big american cities. There was a noticeable difference in friendliness and people seemed a lot more genuine than the cities.
The only slightly disappointing thing was the battlefield tour guide, I got the standard two hour tour, I guess he figured I was a solo Irish guy who probably just saw the movie and didn't know too much about the battle, my constant questions seemed to throw his rhythm a bit but he was a nice guy and told me a few things I wasn't aware of.
The battlefield is really well preserved and easy to find your way around even if you drive on the wrong side of the road lol.
The museum and visitor centre is excellent with a great book selection. I also found the town itself to be lovely, not tacky as I somewhat expected. I had some great chats with people just browsing in shops including two Vietnam vets that I had to cut short our conversation as I had booked a tour. The cyclorama is just incredible.
Highlights - Probably getting to walk Pickett's charge even though I only went to the Emmitsburg road and getting to stand on both the top and bottom of the Little Round Top. It's only when you see it in person that all the maps, books etc start to come together.
My first night was a Wednesday, I left around 2pm and traffic and weather was awful and I couldn't figure out how to put my wipers on full. Anyway that I-270 confused the hell out of me but I stuck with the middle 3 lanes and boy was I glad to see that Gettysburg sign heading onto US-15. Even though I was tired and stressed I walked down to the Angle, it would probably be the only day of my life that I would stand outside the White House and overlook Pickett's charge on the same day, it was dark but I did it!
First full day was Thursday, straight to the visitor centre and see about a battlefield tour guide. Boy the place gets busy fast. I figured it would be quiet enough in October but I was wrong. The weather forecast wasn't great and there was only one guide available at 2pm so I passed and just did the cyclorama and museum instead. Easy spent 4 hours around here, could have spent more but I wanted to get a start on self driving tour so I picked up a map and headed on my way.
The tour is easy to follow, a lot of the roads are one way so us foreigners can't go wrong although one or two people did! I spent the rest of the day touring the Union lines, listening in on a few tour guides for a little extra info was good. Lots of information points and mini maps around which are great. To prospective visitors don't underestimate how long the self-drive will take and don't rush it either unless you're really stuck for time. I really enjoyed pulling up to a spot, having a wander and taking a few pics and just enjoying the experience.
Day two, Friday. I went straight to the visitor centre to book a guide for 12:45, the lady behind the counter didn't believe I came all the way from Ireland to visit, she thought I was Irish but living in the US lol. I had breakfast and walked around the town for the morning, at one of the military memorabilia stores near the hotel I got talking to two Vietnam vets who were great guys and had a really interesting shop, full of uniforms, weapons and lots and lots of books. I'm sure someone here knows who they are.
Got to the centre just in time for the tour, it was ok. I was expecting more to be honest but it wasn't a bad experience. After a little more self touring it was time for dinner and a few beers.
Day three, Saturday already. Some shopping to start the day after a nice irish breakfast at the Garryowen pub. Great pub, lovely staff and nice food. If you like your whiskey they have 95 irish whiskies for you to try out. I had my fair share of them. I got a few little bits and pieces, I could have bought a lot more but I had a backpack and didn't fancy carrying it back to DC and Ireland. There was some living historians in a camp near the Dobbin house, I chatted to them for a few minutes and they were very nice. Pennsylvania regiment who's ancestors were in the Wheatfield.
The weather was overcast but this was my day to walk Pickett's Charge. There's a nice mowed section of the grass to walk through. Two minutes to clear the artillary line from the trees and then a further ten minutes to the Emmitsburg road. It is some sight as those Union cannons just keep getting bigger. It is hard to picture what happened here, I need to see a re-enactment. Boy was I glad I wore good waterproof hiking boots, they were soaked but my feet were dry. I walked back slowly with a great deal of personal satisfaction as since I was a teenager I had heard of Pickett's charge and now 30 years later here I was walking that hallowed ground.
After that I went to the observation tower at the end of Confederate avenue, what a great view of the whole battlefield! Took a few panoramic photos, but still the only justice done to the view is in person. The battlefield is so much busier at the weekends so take note of that if you're planning a trip and don't like crowds. My last night was spent with new friends at the Garryowen pub. I didn't get to try too many of the other establishments on offer, maybe next time. But if you're onto a good thing stick with it.
Sunday arrived all too quickly, I woke early, had breakfast at the hotel and went to the visitor centre. I gave in and bought 3 books, one about Pickett's charge, one about the Irish Brigade and the standard tour guidebook which is great value at $10. As I walked to the carpark a clap of thunder was heard, at least that's what I thought, it was a cannon going off. How cool is that?
My driving was much improved and I got back to Reagan airport with no drama. I was beat, I booked the Garden Hilton for one night just to recoup and boy did I need it. I swear I didn't move for about 5 hours. A quick visit to a local bar called Tortoise and Hare for dinner which was really good and two beers did me in. I was in bed by 10pm and checked out at 12 the next day. The Washington Metro is great and very cheap so I went to Dulles airport on the Silver line and got the bus connector to the airport which is huge. The flight was on time and I arrived home to Dublin early on Tuesday morning.
Overall I had such a great time and had a great personal sense of achievement. This trip took a lot of planning, I had 3 days in DC before and had a great time touring the monuments, Pentagon and Capitol Hill. It was my first time driving in the States which was tough but I got through it and it won't be as bad next time. Maybe next time I'll fly to Baltimore and drive from there. Maybe even get another battlefield in. I did find the states expensive for eating and drinking but a trip to the Gettysburg outlet mall on Saturday afternoon did save me quite a bit of money as I bought two coats for $108 that would have cost at least €400 in Ireland. Nothing on the trip could have gone better, it has reignited my civil war enthusiasm and my feet have almost forgiven me for all the walking.
regards.
Irish Brigade.
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