Catch up - Part 2

    Today we left the dogs in Beluga and drove south to Midlothian, Virginia to visit with my cousin David and his wife Sue.   I know, another Dave and Sue!   David is my father's brother's eldest son and he and Sue just moved to the Richmond area a few months ago.  Two of their three children (and a couple grandchildren) live here so it was a natural move from the Buffalo area.  They live in a lovely villa on a golf course community and Dave and I were their first guests.   They took us on a little tour of the surrounding area and then we settled in for dinner and lots of catching up.   Tomorrow we leave for a few days in the Williamsburg, Virginia area.

So.....Sunday afternoon.....We arrived at the Ben Franklin RV Park in York, PA. to spend the late afternoon/evening with friends  Pam and John.   We first met them in Borrego Springs, California.   They are full timers originally from York and have been back in the area visiting with their daughter and taking care of the ubiquitous Dr.'s appointments.

John is a History Teacher.    He is retired, but is still very much a History Teacher.   He and Pam took us on a short personal tour of the nearby Gettysburg Battleground and made its history come alive for us.

view from  little round top

As a child, I remember feeling "goose pimpley" standing on the silent battle ground, imagining the sights and sounds that had taken place here so long ago.   There were no monuments, no "auto tour" to tell me what transpired here.   Still.....the ghosts of the past were all around.

John's stories brought the battle to life for us.  He made us think about what the men who fought and died here thought and felt as they marched across these huge rolling meadows, marched most certainly to their death.  We heard the sounds, smelled the smells, saw the smoke and felt the terror and confusion on both sides.   Goose pimpley.      As I said, John is a History Teacher and we were so lucky to have him with us on that sunny Sunday afternoon.


After our tour we went into historic Gettysburg for dinner at the Farnsworth House.   It was built in 1810 and sheltered Confederate sharpshooters during the 3 day conflict.   More than 100 bullet holes pock its walls.  

Before we left the next morning we took our second cup  to John and Pam's Discovery and spent a pleasant couple of  hours just talking and laughing.  Before lunch we went our separate ways but look forward to seeing  each other again in Florida this February.