History Trip

May 07, 2018

History Trip

Monday April 23rd
We got on the road early. We stopped around Toledo to eat lunch at played at a metro park close to the highway. The kids finished some junior ranger paper work on the way down. We met my parents at my cousin's house in Cleveland. Then we made it to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. Very cool place. The kids liked getting up close and personal with the birds. We got in free with our membership to the Fredrik Meijer Gardens. We drove a few hours outside of Pittsburgh and then checked into our hotel after a long day on the road. Bed time stories and a bath with soldiers, these kids are ready to see some battlefields tomorrow.

working on Junior Ranger Books

Toledo Metro Park

Pittsburgh Aviary

I love it when Caiden reads to Westin!

Someone is excited to see some battle fields tomorrow.

Tuesday April 24th

we started the day with a trip to Antietam. We began with a ranger talk in the look out tower at the visitor's center which I highly recommend. The ranger was able to give an overview of the battlefield. We stopped at bloody lane, burnside bridge, the church, and the Clara Barton Memorial. The kids also got a junior ranger badge at the welcome center which had a nice little museum. After the battlefield we went to Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello. We could have used a whole day here. It was amazing.

Antietam saw the deadliest single day of battle during the civil war.

Burnside Bridge

A red cross made out of the bricks from Clara Barton's home

We were all fascinated by the old sunken farmers road then turned into bloody lane when we were learning about the war at home. Super amazing to see it in real life!

Bloody Lane

Upside down canyons mark where high ranking officers are killed

observation tower built after the war.

Stairs up to the top of the look out tower.

Westin enjoyed the look out.

talking to the park ranger about the church that was used during the battle

Maddy checking out the museum

Free ranger talks

Maddy finishing up her junior ranger book

Thomas Jefferson

Monticello

Play area in the house.

You can't take any pictures in the house but this is the kitchen under the main house

Wednesday April 25th

Today we went to Appomattox. This is a fun national park. There are several buildings you can explore and a visitor center with museum and movie theater. After Appomattox we drove to the historic triangle.