Calling all Americans: I need your help!

planetFigure

Help Support planetFigure:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
bigtodd said:
David,

Remember the phrase "Never meet your heroes." Go in with low expectations and let it surprise you. For us to go to these places and feel the history is something others don't get. If you know the battles and walk the fields you get a sense of what it was like. The downside is the roads being replaced on the south end so modern equipment can ruin it. You are big fan for you to fly over here. Just enjoy as much as possible. If it is not meeting expectations pick up and head to one of the other places we suggested.

I want to go to the Shetland islands, I have a feeling it might not meet my expectations, if that helps.

Cheers,
Todd
Click to expand...
Thanks Todd.
Yes, I'm aware of the work taking place at G'burg (and the Round Tops being closed (too late to reschedule)). It's an opportunity to see the places for real - and the other sites are definitely borne in mind, subject to time available.
If I could, there would be several battlefields on the itinerary, but the scale is too big.
Not been to Shetland, but a former colleague goes every year and loves it. I'd like to visit there and Orkney too.
I have really appreciated the responses and suggestions on this thread.
Thank you all.
 
Hi David,

I hope you enjoy the visit to Antietam and the rest of your trip as well.

One more suggestion: here's a good history of the battle to read on the flight over: "Landscape Turned Red" by Stephen Sears. It's hefty at 400+ pp, so maybe you can load a copy in your e-reader or Kindle.

Best,

Chris
 
Ambivalence reigns on this subject.
Really unconvinced after the interference in the itinerary and the extent of closure at G'burg.
Am tempted to cut my losses and save the 90% of costs.
Ancillary areas are worthwhile, but were never the main point of going. Digs are in the town.
It all feels half-arsed, currently.
 
I was just at Gettysburg last weekend, for the APG exhibition, and to visit the battlefield for the first time ever. Little Round Top is definitely closed to vehicular and foot traffic. Our guide took us as close as Devil's Den and then looked back up across the field and slope. As far as Big Round Top goes, it wasn't clear whether it was just closed to vehicular traffic, because the roadway is the same as leads to the parking area for Little Round Top; or if you could walk up from the other side. We were going to try to see if we could on Sunday, but ran out of time.
The rest of the battlefield was open to visitors, as far as I know, from the sites of the cavalry battles at the tip of the "fish hook", all the way 'round through the center and down to the southern end, except for Little Round Top.
 
theBaron said:
I was just at Gettysburg last weekend, for the APG exhibition, and to visit the battlefield for the first time ever. Little Round Top is definitely closed to vehicular and foot traffic. Our guide took us as close as Devil's Den and then looked back up across the field and slope. As far as Big Round Top goes, it wasn't clear whether it was just closed to vehicular traffic, because the roadway is the same as leads to the parking area for Little Round Top; or if you could walk up from the other side. We were going to try to see if we could on Sunday, but ran out of time.
The rest of the battlefield was open to visitors, as far as I know, from the sites of the cavalry battles at the tip of the "fish hook", all the way 'round through the center and down to the southern end, except for Little Round Top.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update. I was informed by a LBG that big round top is also closed. There is extensive, rolling road repair work also ongoing.
DS
 
Hi David,
If only Little Round Top is closed (no real need to do Big Round Top as it was outside the Union lines), then visiting Gettysburg is still well worthwhile. You could also tie it in with a visit to the Antietam and Bull Run battlefields. They are all relatively close together. A good round trip Washington DC - Gettysburg - stay overnight in Gettysburg then the next day do Sharpsburg (Antietam) - Bull Run -Washington.
Regards
Chris
 
Chrisr said:
Hi David,
If only Little Round Top is closed (no real need to do Big Round Top as it was outside the Union lines), then visiting Gettysburg is still well worthwhile. You could also tie it in with a visit to the Antietam and Bull Run battlefields. They are all relatively close together. A good round trip Washington DC - Gettysburg - stay overnight in Gettysburg then the next day do Sharpsburg (Antietam) - Bull Run -Washington.
Regards
Chris
Click to expand...
Thanks. It does look like that from the NPS map. I will ask them.
 
Have asked twice (2 separate email addresses), but it does look like BRT is still accessible, on foot, as far as the map is concerned.
That's how I want to see the WHOLE battlefield anyway.
Assuming the query gets an answer, this looks like a go-er.
Am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.
(Just need to sort out travel insurance after the original one was comprehensively ballsed up by the supplier ... one can start to feel got-at)
Appalachian Brewing Company: I am coming for YOU.
 
David Spencer said:
it does look like BRT is still accessible, on foot, as far as the map is concerned.
That's how I want to see the WHOLE battlefield anyway.
Click to expand...
IRRC you cannot see the whole battlefield from BRT, it is covered in trees which restricts the view. The best view is from LRT. Nonetheless walking the battlefield from both sides gives you the best impression of it, and you get to a few areas that you cannot see from LRT. Its been some time since I visited, so perhaps the Baron or another of our American cousins can better advise you on this. I'd go for it if I were you. You are not going miss anything by not having access to BRT - the monuments alone are worth the visit. My favourite is to the Irish Brigade.
Cheers
Chris
 
Chrisr said:
IRRC you cannot see the whole battlefield from BRT, it is covered in trees which restricts the view. The best view is from LRT. Nonetheless walking the battlefield from both sides gives you the best impression of it, and you get to a few areas that you cannot see from LRT. Its been some time since I visited, so perhaps the Baron or another of our American cousins can better advise you on this. I'd go for it if I were you. You are not going miss anything by not having access to BRT - the monuments alone are worth the visit. My favourite is to the Irish Brigade.
Cheers
Chris
Click to expand...
Hi Chris
I got a reply from Addressing Gettysburg and BRT is open to pedestrians.
I'll be hiking the battlefield as well as getting a whole-day guided tour, so plan to get a thorough visit, lugging the ABT atlas and Sears' book around with me!
I appreciate all the replies and will be following some suggestions up whilst Across The Pond this autumn.
Thanks everyone.
 
Chrisr said:
Hi David,
If only Little Round Top is closed (no real need to do Big Round Top as it was outside the Union lines), then visiting Gettysburg is still well worthwhile. You could also tie it in with a visit to the Antietam and Bull Run battlefields. They are all relatively close together. A good round trip Washington DC - Gettysburg - stay overnight in Gettysburg then the next day do Sharpsburg (Antietam) - Bull Run -Washington.
Regards
Chris
Click to expand...

And if you're going to do Antietam you might want to consider visiting Harper's Ferry. It's only about a half hour drive (give or take a few minutes) between the two.
Rick
 
Homework
20230826_220627.jpg
 
Larsen E. Whipsnade said:
David, pic was taken by a photographer friend of mine. It's whatPickett's division saw as they assembled in preparation for the assault on Union lines that July 3rd. The ridge way off in the distance was their objective.... madness, sheer madness.
Rick View attachment 474857
Click to expand...
And repeated so many times afterwards.
The Western Front of WW1 had numerous such examples. An equally sobering place to visit.
Am looking forward to this trip again and will endeavour to add several of the suggestions here, as far as seven days allows.
(Not THE Seven Days, though)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top