The End . . . of the Vacation!

Well, our fabulous vacation had to end sometime! So, here's the last of the pictures.

Jackson never wanted to leave the beach.

Thanksgiving Day was the best weather day of all. It was beautiful and sunny. The beach was so much fun.
James and a bunch of other kids built lots of cool sandcastles.

We stopped in Gettysburg on the way home. Such a neat place.

James and Jack and Honest Abe.

Some playtime for the kids inbetween the serious stuff!

Gettysburg is a remarkably preserved place. There are over 400 canon, all placed in approximate positions to where they would have been. The earthworks, stone embankments, etc. that were built by the soldiers are preserved intact. The battlefield, according to what we are told, is virtually the same as it was in 1863.

For those who haven't been there, scattered around the huge battlefield are all sorts of statues and monuments built by the different states. Each represents a regiment of infantry, or in some cases, individual person/s who performed a memorable act of bravery or kindness. It's quite touching and inspiring to hear the stories and see all these memorials.

This is Little Round Top, the site of one of the major offensives on the 2nd of the 3 day battle.

This is the soldier's cemetary. I truly felt that I was walking on hallowed ground and felt inadequate as I considered the great sacrifice. 7,000 men died here, around 44,000 were wounded of the around 160,000 involved in the battle.

The Gettysburg address was given by President Lincoln at the dedication of the cemetary. He stood about where the tall statue behind us is.

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address October 19, 1863.