Washington DC Trip - Gettsyburg & Shanksville

After the excitement of Baltimore and the Cubs game had abated, we settled in to the van for the first part of our trip home.  Our first stop was a few hours up the road - Gettysburg, PA. 

We really didn't have much of an agenda for Gettysburg.  Matt wanted to see the cemetery where Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg address as well as the arch that leads into the cemetery.  Other than that, our time there was open-ended.

When we arrived in Gettysburg, we drove by the Pennsylvania State Memorial - a monument dedicated to the 34,530 Pennsylvania soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. It is a beautiful monument with a bird's eye view of the battlefields (there is a stairway to the upper balcony...see the people in the picture?).

Us from the top of the monument. It was a bit windy - but it felt wonderful.  It was so tranquil, it would be easy to spend a day here, just taking it all in. 

Please pay no attention to our Cubs gear - we were exhausted after a night at the game and didn't feel like unpacking the suitcases from the Thule.  We didn't stink too much!!  haha

We left the Pennsylvania Memorial and drove around some of the loops to see other monuments.  There were a lot of them!  We stopped for a few pictures throughout the drive. 

I told Matt that I would like a picture of the kids with a split rail fence and cannon (if we found one).  These are two things that I think of when I think of the Civil War/Gettysburg.  We found this picture spot on one of the loops. 

 Our last stop in Gettysburg was at the Soldiers' National Cemetery.

We walked through the cemetery, taking in the history and the quiet of the area.  We visited the Lincoln monument - highlighting the Gettysburg Address.  This speech was made during the Civil War, at the dedication of the cemetery on November 19, 1863.

So many lives lost...

Here is the arch that Matt wanted to see.  From all of his history books, this is what he remembered.  He was frustrated because he couldn't find it...we finally spotted it on the other end of the cemetery - looking a bit different with the house attached to it.

While we could've spent a few days in Gettysburg, we left the park feeling like we hit the high points and hopefully raised in interest in the kids to visit again some day - maybe with their own children.  We left Gettysburg and started heading east towards Shanksville.

We saw a few signs for Mister Ed's Elephant Museum.  It looked like a fun place for a quick stop!  Bonus - Matt remembered reading clues for a letterbox too!  While Matt searched for the box, I took the kids inside to explore and pick out some candy (every kind imaginable!).

After purchasing our candy, the kids loved exploring the outdoors - finding all the quirky things throughout the yard!

We grabbed lunch then hit the road for our last scheduled stop of our trip - Shanksville, PA.

When we decided to see the game in Baltimore on the 14th, we rearranged our trip schedule and had Gettysburg at the end of our trip instead of at the beginning.  This move had us going home through Pennsylvania instead of the southern route of West Virginia.  While looking at the map, Matt realized that we would be very close to the field where Flight 93 went down on 9/11.  This stop would bring 9/11 full circle for our family.  While these memorials are very hard to visit (emotionally...I cry now as I think about that day), we are so glad that our trips have enabled us to share these places with our children.  Our kids weren't alive that ugly day.  Thanks to technology, they can (and have) watched videos and documentaries in school and at home.  We have openly talked about that day with our kids.  We visited the Twin Towers Memorial last summer and the Pentagon and Flight 93 this trip. 

Of the three, I felt that Shanksville was the most moving.  There is something to be said about the open field and the quietness surrounding you as you walk down the flight path and ponder on what happened that day.

We went in to the Visitor's Center and watched a few of the videos and read some of the stories.  Unfortunately, it was 5:00 (we didn't realize it was that late!) and the rangers were closing the center for the day.  The remainder of the memorial stays open til sundown.

We drove to the bottom of the hill and walked along the sidewalk to the memorial and crash site.

The boulder at the end of the grass trail marks the crash site.  Words can't express the heaviness we felt while visiting this memorial.

The Wall of Names

We left the memorial in silence - heavy but with thankful hearts.  The passengers on Flight 93 sacrificed everything for America's freedom.  It is speculated that this plane was headed back to DC to hit the Capitol Building or The White House.  Either attack would've been crippling to our country's government. 

We drove for a few more hours to Zanesville, OH where we stopped for the night.  I found out after the trip that Zanesville is where my father's family moved and stayed for 20+ years!  Would've been neat to visit a few cemeteries while there...probably a good thing that we didn't know until after the fact!

We left Zanesville the next morning (Sunday) and drove the remaining 8 hours home.  It is always nice to come home...however, this trip was a wonderful trip and I know that I wasn't ready for it to be finished. 

Here are some numbers to sum up our trip:

• 4000+ miles driven
• 60+ miles walked
• 10 days of sunshine (3 thunderstorms)
• 10 states (5 of those were new for the kids) plus District of Columbia
• 7 hotels

I could go on for hours with numbers - this trip was so full of history, all wrapped up into 10 days.  Matt did an amazing job of planning the route and getting the main sites on our agenda.  The traffic was very tolerable (no where near what we encountered last year in NYC and New England).  We were happy for that!  God answered MANY spoken and unspoken requests - both leading up to, and during this trip.  He deserves much Glory! 

Our pilgrimage has come to an end.  It was worth the toil and agony leading up to the trip.  It was worth the hot, sweaty mess that we were most of the days!  Many great memories to hopefully last a lifetime!

Washington DC Trip - Baltimore & the Cubs!

Day 9 - Baltimore! 
To say that I have been a little excited for this day to finally arrive would be complete and utter TRUTH!  Matt & I had a few surprises for this day...
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I wrote this for Facebook a few months ago, but decided to wait until this blog post to add it.

I've always wanted to take the kids to a Cubs game. Not really watching baseball as a family, I didn't think the kids would enjoy the game and a few would be bored...making it a horrible experience for the rest of us (ie, ME!).

I grew up watching the Cubbies on WGN. If they were playing, the TV was on. If we weren't home, the radio was on. Cubs were our life! Then I got married...to a man from the Chicago burbs...who could care less about baseball ("the most boring sport in the world, second to golf"). Without a mutual interest or cable, I quickly lost track of my Cubbies. I would watch them while at my parents or if they were going into the post season. Talking about the Cubs was as second nature as talking about the weather with my family!

2015 Post Season. Towards the middle of August, I started listening on the radio and following their games. No cable still, just listening on a very staticy radio...praying for no interference! Saddness indwelled after their loss for the NL championship. There's always next year, right? 2016, we listened off and on and by August I had the kids hooked. They knew the players and had a better understanding of the game. I even had Matt in on the excitement! I loved explaining "new" things as stuff happened (in field fly rule, walk off homer, balks, hitting for the cycle...got to explain that one this morning!). The kids don't mind the static anymore and we all can be found situated around the radio doing our own thing while listening together. Of course, they may never understand the turmoil and pain I've lived through, waiting my 43 years to see a victorious season. However, they have grown to love America's past time and I can't complain about that!

The kids have said that they would love to see a Cubs game this summer. Between camps, mission trips, vacation, work and family visits, I didn't think we'd be able to fit that in. Also, the lovely economic theory of supply and demand has made getting tickets to Wrigley a bit harder and much more expensive!

A few weeks ago, I had a lightbulb moment. I quickly checked the schedule and found out that the Cubbies will be in Baltimore while we are out East! Oh, I am so excited to share this news with the kids - they won't know until we get to Oriole Park! I am giddy with delight! 

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While packing, I suggested having some "theme days" - same color shirts, flag shirts, cubs apparel, etc.  This was all a part of a bigger plan.  I saved the Cubs stuff until today.  After our time in Richmond, I suggested wearing our Cubs stuff the next day.  Everyone thought that was a pretty good idea.  They were totally clueless!!

 

Since last season, Maddie & Alex have said that they wanted to save up for a Rizzo and Bryant jersey.  I told them that they would have to purchase them because they are expensive.  As a surprise for our Baltimore day, I purchased 5 jerseys - Rizzo, Bryant, 2 Schwarbers and Maddon.  I'd say that they liked their surprise!

Everyone (but Matt) wearing their Cubs gear...Matt is sad because he has no Cubs gear.

You can see the realization...

We left the hotel and started traveling north to Baltimore.  Now, remember that we just spent the night in Fredericksburg, VA.  To drive to Baltimore, we would be going through DC! If the kids had a clue where we were...or where we were ending up, they would've asked WHY!  "Why didn't we see Baltimore when we were in the DC area".  Alas, they were clueless.

We finally found a nice Maryland sign!

Our first stop of the day was breakfast.  I realized my mistake immediately...6 people walking in, all dressed in Cubs stuff!  This will draw attention and someone will tell the kids the other surprise!  Luckily, we only received a bit of razzing but no mention of the Baltimore game! Thank you Lord!

It was pretty cool to drive by Andrews Air Force Base!

Our only planned stop on the day was at Fort McHenry.  It was wonderful to see the Fort where our "Star Spangled Banner" Flag flew...and was never lowered!  We were able to see this flag while in DC!  Here's a great video about the flag, the fort and the writing of our national anthem.

When we first walked in to the Visitor's Center, we noticed a few Cub's shirts and hats.  Matt & I smiled at each other.  We knew the reason for the Cub's attire.  The kids mentioned the shirts to us but just thought it was cool that there were Cub fans in Baltimore!

As we started to tour the Fort, we quickly realized we had a problem...everyone was wearing Cub stuff!  Matt & I tried to play it off (the kids didn't know that the Cubs were playing in Baltimore at that point)...but they knew something was up.  We had a lady holler "Go Cubs!" as we walked by - and then she asked the question we were hoping to avoid, "Are you guys going to one of the games this weekend?"  I whispered back, "tonight" but she didn't hear me.  I whispered again but a bit more loudly.  A few of the kids heard me then.  Maddie's mind was reeling...I could see it!  Alex looks at me and says, "why would you lie to her mom?"!

I corralled the kids to the side of the Fort and told them the surprise - WE ARE GOING TO THE CUB'S GAME TONIGHT!  Here are their reactions...

We finished walking around the Fort - but the desire to explore was gone.  They were too excited and asking so many questions about the game!  We stopped and talked to 4 different families about the Cubs and the games, etc.  Ironically, we saw all 4 families again when walking outside Camden Yards!

When I had checked the weather for Baltimore the night before (in Fredericksburg), there was a 60% chance of thunderstorms starting in the late afternoon.  Aside from the 10 minute stretch of storms we drove through in Moline (leaving home) and Cape Hatteris, we hadn't seen any rain all trip.  We won't complain, mind you, as we were outside every day...however, the game could be cancelled if  the rain was bad/long enough.  We didn't want that to happen - esp now that we'd told the kids!  We prayed many a prayer, asking God to hold back the rain - allow the game to be played that evening.

We checked in to our hotel, unpacked the van and regrouped for our walk to the ballpark.  We packed our backpack with water, snacks, tickets and camera and headed out.  We ran into Cub fans everywhere we turned - the elevator, hotel lobby, parking lot, streets, everywhere!  It was a crazy feeling to know that there were so many Cub fans in the area for the games that weekend!  We found our way down to Camden Yards and ate some dinner before entering the park. 

After going through security, we were directed to the Welcome Center as we were first time visitors to the park (I'm not sure how they knew that, haha!).  They gave the kids some Oriole stickers, a postcard (of Camden Yards) and a certificate.  It was a nice touch to add to their first professional ball game.  We asked the worker how the weather was looking.  She told us that there was an open window after 6, so they were hoping for the best.  It was now 5:00.  The sky was dark with an occasional sprinkle.  It wasn't looking good.

Eutaw Street (seen in the picture below...where we are walking) is a street between the ball park and the B&O Warehouse (you can see the warehouse in later pictures, beyond right field). 

From Wikipedia: Many home run balls have landed on Eutaw Street, and the Orioles organization has marked the spots with small baseball-shaped bronze plaques embedded in the street, though it sometimes takes up to a year for each homer to get a plaque. The first home run to reach Eutaw Street was hit by Mickey Tettleton of the Detroit Tigers on April 20, 1992.^[15] The most recent home run to land on Eutaw Street was a shot by Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs on July 14, 2017. As of July 14, 2017, 91 home runs have landed on Eutaw Street in stadium history. 

It's pretty neat to be able to say that we were there for Heywards long shot!

We walked along Eutaw Street for a bit then got a glimpse inside the ball park.  OMGoodness!!!!  We were in heaven!

Our beloved Cubbies were having batting practice!!  We walked around to the third base side of the diamond and found a spot right behind the Cubs' dugout and enjoyed watching them bat and warm up.

Happ, Jay, Russell & Coach Davey Martinez

Bryant

Arrieta, Contreras & Maddon

Javy & Schwarber

Schwarbs with Quintana (just acquired from White Sox the day before!) and Strop

Schwarber playing catch with Uehara's son - very cute!

Zobrist, Happ, Russell, Rizzo & Bryant (several shots)

At this point in time, it started to storm (lightning, thunder and more sprinkles).  The Cubs were pulled off the field for safety reasons and the equipment was all put away.

My favorite Cubbie (from my younger years) was Davey Martinez (below, with Almora).  I was shocked when I saw him with Joe Maddon as one of his coaches!  I love seeing him interact with the young players - Maddon has some amazing coaches on his team!

After the team left the field (I even spotted Theo in the group!), the Orioles' field crew went through the Cubs' batting practice balls.  If there were too many scuffs on the ball, they threw them in to the stands (they threw 5-6 total).  Matt caught their attention for one of the balls and tossed it up to us - now about 20 rows off the field.  Kaitee made a perfect catch - then promptly gave the gift to Will!  Not sure who hit the ball, but it was a pretty special souvenir! 

I spotted the Cubs tv/radio booth and even got a wave from JD...of course it came AFTER I gave the camera back to Matt!

Time to find our seats....Up, Up, Up and Up some more!

Will admitted that he was worried the game wouldn't be played.

An hour or so before game time, they announced an official rain delay.  We were blessed to have the seats we did.  Although they were nosebleed seats...we were under cover from the overhang...we didn't get wet at all, nor did our seats!  2 rows up were wet!

Waiting!

B&O Warehouse

Glorious news!  The storm passed and the crew removed the tarp!

Slowly, the players started coming out to stretch and warm up.  This was finally happening!  We were praising God!

During batting practice, we TRIED to get the players' attention with no luck.  We were hoping for a few autographs, but we got nothing.  The kids were pretty bummed to see Schwarber, Zobrist and (later) Russell down along the field signing stuff.

Singing The Star Spangled Banner - made all the more special by the visits to see the flag and the fort over the last few days.

The game started an hour late - not too bad, all things considered!

Contreras - Home Run #1 (first inning)

Schwarber - Homerun #2 (first inning) 
**Side note regarding Schwarber.  He is a favorite for three of us (Will, Kaitee and me).  He had been sent down to Iowa (minor league) to work on his hitting in late June.  Matt & I honestly didn't know if he would be back in time for the Baltimore game and knew that the two kids would be devastated to see the Cubs but not Schwarber.  He was called back up WHILE we were on vacation!  We saw him playing while at the hotel our first night (in Virginia)!  Matt & I gave a huge look of relief to each other.  Schwarbs was back!  Fast forward through the next few days and trade rumors started up - of course, those rumors included Schwarbs.  We know that trades can happen quick (there during the game, gone at the end!).  We prayed, very selfishly, that he wouldn't be traded (if at all!!) until after our game in Baltimore.  God answered our prayers - many times over!!

Zobrist - Homerun #3 (2nd inning)

Heyward - Homerun #4 (Third Inning). The homer that landed on Eutaw Street!

After 3 innings, the score was 8-1!  It was a fun game...until the next few innings.  Our pitching quickly went downhill. 

Baltimore scored runs in the 4th,5th & 8th to tie up the game.  Disheartening to say the least!  During the top of the 9th, I told Matt we should probably get going. As much as I wanted to stay and watch the rest of the game, it was looking like extra innings and Baltimore definitely had the momentum going their way.  We also had a mile walk back to the hotel and it was already really late!  We had an early start to Gettysburg the next day and we were hoping to drive straight home from there.

Matt suggested leaving after the Cubs batted in the top of the 9th.  No sooner had he said that, Russell belted one out of the park to give us the lead!  We ended up staying til the end and got to celebrate a crazy, nailbiter of a win!

Look at all that Cub Blue!!

#FlyTheW

We walked as quickly as we could back to the hotel - realizing that Baltimore has some very scary areas after dark!  Will asked me who I was talking to at one point of our walk.  I told him I was praying for God's protection out loud.  He just nodded as if he understood.  Once again, God took care of us!

We arrived back to the hotel close to 1:00 am.  We were exhausted but so excited for all that our day had been.  So many wonderful, fun memories!  We would be starting our trip home in the morning.