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Bill Bikes My bicycling expeditions and jaunts |
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Reno ::: Antelope Island ::: Independence Rock ::: Badlands ::: Blue Mounds
Gettysburg ::: Rappahannock ::: Katy ::: Breckenridge ::: Grand Junction
Gettysburg, part 1, September 2018
Across the Continent, part 6: A Photographic Log
4 September 2018, 12 miles
I'm driving solo across the continent, with the Ogre in the back of the Forester. Some days I hop on the Ogre to ride a few miles out-and-back or in a loop. That slows my forward progress, but enables me to explore some interesting places along the way. Here's my full itinerary.Sixth stop, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Part one.
I've visited the Gettysburg battlefield three times previously, going back to when I was a teenager, but never by bicycle.
It is probably the most densely populated with signs, statues, monuments, memorials, etc of any battlefield I've ever visited. It's also probably the mostly lovingly cared for. Normally it would be one of most crowded, but I managed to visit on the day after the long Labor Day holiday weekend, and I started riding at 7:00 AM, which meant almost no one else was out and about until the last hour or so.
The Park Service has mapped out a 24-mile driving tour. Having already done that route on previous visits, I chose to pedal for twelve miles through the most interesting and important parts of the battlefield: Seminary Ridge, Little Round Top, Devil's Den, Cemetery Ridge, etc. With so much to see, read, and photograph, those twelve miles consumed four hours and produced a plethora of photographs, so many that I've split the ride into two parts. The first part roughly coincides with the Confederate line on Seminary Ridge, while the second part includes the Union positions to the east.
Obligatory photo of Ogre and sign.
View from Confederate positions on Seminary Ridge toward Union positions on Cemetery Ridge.
Early morning sunlight with patches of mist in the hollows on a very humid day, rapidly warming.
Confederate artillery that bombarded Cemetery Ridge.
The Ogre rests against a stone wall with Cemetery Ridge hidden in the hazy distance.
The North Carolina monument.
As we shall see, many states funded impressive memorials to their troops.
Detail of the North Carolina monument.
The Tennessee monument.
The Virginia monument.
General Robert E. Lee mounted on Traveller atop the Virginia monument.
Detail of the Virginia monument.
The Ogre rests on another stone wall.
It was from this area on Seminary Ridge that Pickett's Charge, the climactic engagement of the Battle of Gettysburg, was launched on the third day.
Typical view down the quiet park road along Seminary Ridge.
The Florida monument.
Cannon after cannon after cannon all over the park.
The Louisiana monument.
Detail of the Louisiana monument.
Another view of the Louisiana monument.
Another detail of the Louisiana monument.
The base of the Louisiana monument.
The Mississippi monument.
Detail of the Mississippi monument.
Looking south from the southern edge of the battlefield.
The Alabama monument.
Now we cross over to the Union line and work our way north.
Statue of Union General William Wells.
Bas relief frieze on the base of the statue of General Wells.
Summary
Date: 4 September 2018
Time: 7:00 - 11:00
Weather: 70 - 85° F, sunny and humid
Route: Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania
Distance: 12 miles
Bike: Surly Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
Reno ::: Antelope Island ::: Independence Rock ::: Badlands ::: Blue Mounds
Gettysburg ::: Rappahannock ::: Katy ::: Breckenridge ::: Grand Junction
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