Recapping 2008

Every year I tell myself that I need to go somewhere I have never been before. I haven't traveled internationally since my trip to China (which was back in 2003), and going down to Rosarito and Ensenada in Mexico does not count for me.

Last year, I went to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Delaware, Chicago, Orlando, and southern Utah. I visited three different National Parks: Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. I also went snowboarding at Brian Head, again southern Utah. I consider that a fairly successful year of traveling.

Of all the places I visited last year, Chicago was hands down the best. Orlando, courtesy of Song and Masa, was a very cool place (and I did not go to Disneyworld). Philadelphia was nice too, but my poor choice of visiting museums on Mondays (museums there are closed) prevented me from exploring more of the cultural aspects of the City.

This entry was prompted by the fact that my best friend is about to finish Law School, and she wants me to go with her down to South America. I have been a little hesitant on making travel plans mostly because I have no income. I say, screw it. If I don't go through with the plan, I will always regret never going somewhere I have wanted to go for a long time. I don't have time for regret.

Gettysburg

Here are a few photos of my trip to Gettysburg Military National Park. Being the history dork I am, I took a ton of photos, without myself being in many shots. For the most part, Gettysburg is really just a field, with monuments dedicated to each side, Union and Confederate. Walking over the battlefield, I tried to comprehend all the blood shed that took place here, all the young men that died fighting for a cause each believed was the "right thing." In the end, this battle became the turning point for the Union, even with the enormous casualties suffered.

What is the significance of Gettysburg, outside of the quickest speech any influential man had given at this time? Because of this battle, the United States began implementing cemeteries to commemorate soldiers who died during battle. Truth be told, the cemetery right across the street from the visitor center only has Union soldiers buried there. This came about when the farmers in the town of Gettysburg returned to work on their fields. Upon plowing the fields, the farmers not only turn over the soil, they also unearthed the bodies of the dead soldiers. Extremely shallow graves were dug in haste to continue with the battle. Rain also contributed to the exposure of fallen soldiers. One has to understand why people would return to such blood-stained grounds. Well remember, even back in the mid-19th century America most Americans livelihood still consisted of agricultural resources. Of course the horrors of the farmers churning over the soldiers dead bodies brought an outcry and thus began the cemeteries memorializing our fallen heroes. Unfortunately I was too tired to look through the entire National Cemetery. Part of me was hesitant, and another part of me just wanted to briefly walk in and pay a silent respect.

Most people would not really care to look around field after field of monuments. In fact, most people would not spend over five hours of their own time traversing across the small town that is Gettysburg. I have never been to the east coast, let alone visit any site pertaining to two of the greatest wars battled on American soil. The only war memorial I visited as a child was the Pearl Harbor memorial in Pearl Harbor. Gettysburg may not have been as moving as Pearl Harbor, but the vast open space made me realize how terrifying the field was. Regardless of advancement in military weaponry, war is violent. To which degree of violence, many can speculate. I find it ironic how much I romanticize these battlegrounds, pondering meetings of Generals coming through the mist-filled fields. We forget sometimes how civil wars once were, where leaders met their opponents, shook hands, and then returned to their respective places. Each side would look at one another, and then charge. Of all the monuments I visited here at Gettysburg, General Longstreet's bronze casting seen to the left, and above right, was perhaps the most captivating. A single, and solemn set of flowers was set down next to Longstreet's bronze casting (he was a General for the Confederate Army). My friend Kim and I were unable to visit, nor did we see, Robert E. Lee's command post because it looked as though the house was under renovation of some sort. Yes, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

If the opportunity arises again, I will return to Gettysburg. The rolling hills, vast open fields, and quaint little town still has so much for me to explore and fully understand. Even if you have the opportunity to drive through, I would say do so. All the park rangers, volunteers, attendants and so on are so passionate about Gettysburg (as are all of those at any of the Military National Parks in America I am sure).

Northern battle grounds, near Pickett's Charge.
Army of the Potomac
(Top and Bottom)

At the Eternal Flame memorial, ground held by the Army of Northern Virginia during Gettysburg.

East bound

This will be a brief entry regarding my whereabouts currently.

I left Thursday, February 7, 2008 to head to Philadelphia to visit my friend Kim. I arrived in the early evening at Philadelphia, and rented a car. So far I have had an authentic Philly Cheesesteak (apparently you can request Cheesewhiz or Velveta cheese), driven out to Gettysburg, did a quick trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania and I am now currently in Delaware, courtesy of my friend Kim's family.

The weather has been wonderfully pleasant, I love the city Philadelphia, and Delaware feels like the quintessential east coast state (after all, it was the first to become a state). I will write more when I return on Tuesday, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Miss all my friends, the California warmth and sunshine, and I promise to bring back ridiculously touristy things.

And yes, I have visited Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Love Park. I will be venturing out to the famous "Rocky Steps" tomorrow. Attempting to track down Edgar Allen Poe's historical museum in Philly (even though I only have read one of his short stories).

Hugs and kisses,
Frances