Antietam
Tuesday April 29th Leave at 8 AM for Sharpsburg, Maryland (Approx 8 hours).
Check in at the Historic Jacob Rohrbach Inn
http://www.jacob-rohrbach-inn.com/
Antietam's Jacob Rohrbach Inn138 W. Main St.Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782
Joanne & Paul Breitenbach, Prop.Phone: 301-432-5079Toll Free: 1-877-839-4242
Staying in the General’s Quarter’s April 29th and 30th. Check in 3-5. Check out by 11 am.
Find Dinner for Tuesday night
Food
Captain Benders Tavern
http://www.captainbenders.com/menu.html
Pub Food-local flavor
The Press Room
Shepherdstown, WV
Italian a bit pricey but lovely food
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/The.Press.Room.304-876-8777
April 30th Wednesday Tour Antietam
http://www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm
Open 8:30-5PM
$6.00 a person
Download Podcast for Antietam
http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Also see the Pry House Field Hospital Museum
http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/pryhouse.htm
Near by sites Harper’s Ferry
http://www.nps.gov/hafe/
Monocacy National Battlefield
http://www.nps.gov/mono
John Brown’s House
http://www.johnbrown.org/
Directions from Philadelphia to Inn
Take I-76 and the PA Turnpike towards Harrisburg, PA
Just past Harrisburg take the US-11 South exit, exit number 16
Take US-11 about 4 miles to I-81
Take I-81 South towards Chambersburg and continue south on I-81 to Hagerstown, MD
At Hagerstown proceed on I-81 crossing I-70 to the second exit past I-70, this exit is MD Route 68 and there is an Antietam Battlefield sign.
Turn left on MD Route 68
Go 5 miles and turn right on MD Route 65
Proceed 7 miles to the stop sign in Sharpsburg
Turn right at the stop sign onto W. Main St. (MD Route 34). Go two blocks to the Jacob Rohrbach Inn on the left.
May 1st Leave Sharpsburg. Drive to Gettysburg (1 hour)
Gettysburg
Things to Do
Gettysburg National Park
PARK GROUNDS AND ROADS The park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. April 1 to October 31
Depending on personal choice, there are several ways to tour the battlefield including a self-guided auto tour, with a Licensed Battlefield Guide (fee), and tape tours. The self-guided auto tour can be followed by using a park brochure that will direct you through the park. There are numbered stops at high points of the battlefield along the tour route and visitors can take their time stopping to view the monuments and field exhibits.
By Automobile Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Adams County, Pennsylvania. From North or South, follow US 15 to Gettysburg and watch for signs to direct you to the National Park Service Visitor Center. The visitor center is located between Taneytown Road (State Rt. 134) and Steinwehr Avenue (Bus. Rt. 15). From East or West, drive into Gettysburg on US Rt. 30, turn South on Baltimore Street (Rt. 97), and follow signs to Steinwehr Avenue (Bus. 15).
Podcast for Gettysburg
http://www.nps.gov/gett/historyculture/gettysburg-podcast-tours.htm
Check Into the Baladerry Inn 3-7 PM on May 1st
40 Hospital RdGettysburg, PA 17325(717) 337-1342
1-800-220-0025
http://www.baladerryinn.com/
Staying in the 1830’s house-The Vines Room
Directions to the B and B
From the South
Travel North on Route US 15.Exit at Taneytown Road (PA 134).Turn left onto 134/Taneytown Road. Continue about 1 mile to a Little Round Top Chuck Wagon Food and Ice Cream Stand on your left. Turn right onto Blacksmith Shop Road. Continue to the stop sign, the first street on your right. Turn right onto Hospital Road. We are the first property on your left.
Check In/Out
Check–In is after 3 pm-7 pm
Check–Out is at 11 am.
Dinner
Food in Gettysburg
Appalachian Brewing CO.
http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/pennsylvania/gettysburg/appalachian-brewing-co-brewpub-and-restaurant/4462.htm
Good pub food
Good beer
Dobbin House (Springhouse Tavern)
Farnsworth (outside eating)
The Pub
Good food and affordable
Check out by 11 on May 3rd drive to the Laurel Highlands
Laurel Highlands
Saturday and Sunday stay May 3rd and 4th
Summit Inn Resort Confirmation
Kentuck Knob May 3rd / 3:00 PM
Fallingwater May 4th / 8:30 AM
www.summitinnresort.com
Summit Inn Resort101 Skyline Drive Farmington, PA 15437
E-mail: summit@hhs.net
Reservation: Local: 724-438-8594 Fax: 724-438-3917
Cancel within 72 hours
Directions
From the East
When traveling West on Route 40, The Summit Inn Resort is located directly on Route 40 approximately 6 miles west of Farmington at the top of the summit. Entrance is located on your left.
3 hour drive from Gettysburg. Kentuck Knob tour and Fort Necessity on Saturday the 3rd. Then check in. Sunday May 4th In depth Tour of Fallingwater 8:30 am. Rest of the day is open to hiking, water rafting, relaxing, caving, etc.
Things to do
Laurel Caverns
Located 5 miles of the historic National Road (Route 40) on Skyline Drive, Laurel Caverns is a 435-acre geological park featuring Pennsylvania's largest cave, which contains over 3 miles of passages under the Chestnut Ridge. A variety of activities caters to the traveling public, school education programs, scout merit badge programs, summer camp programs and high adventures seekers. Visit www.laurelcaverns.com or call 800.515.4150
Located 5 miles off Route 40 on Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA. Open seven days a week from May 1st to October 31st and other times by special arrangement.
Kentuck Knob
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the last decade of his career, Kentuck Knob is nestled high in the western Pennsylvania mountains seven miles south of Fallingwater and six miles from the historic National Road. The home's construction of native sandstone, tidewater cypress, and copper blends naturally with its surroundings in true Wrightian harmony. A sculpture garden with over 35 major works enhances the visitor's experience, and a former greenhouse now serves as the visitor center, with a gift shop and cafe. Visit www.kentuckknob.com or call 724.329.1901
Tours of the house and grounds require one or more hours. Reservations are recommended. Sculpture garden tours are available by reservation only. Tours are available daily January and February 11 am to 3 pm and March though December daily 9am to 4pm. Special Saturday tours occur May through August from 9am to 6pm.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Fort Necessity, site of the first battle of the French & Indian War, is located about 11 miles east of Uniontown along the historic National Road (Route 40) in Farmington, PA. A state-of-the-art Interpretive and Education Center provides lively, interactive insight into the war and construction of the Nation's first federally funded highway. The park includes the battlefield, reconstructed fort, and Mount Washington Tavern. Nearby are the sites of Braddock's Grave (1.5 miles west) and Jumonville Glen (7 miles west). Visit www.nps.gove/fone or call 724.329.5805
Located 5 miles off Route 40 on Skyline Drive, Farmington, PA. Open seven days a week from May 1st to October 31st and other times by special arrangement.
Falling Water
Recognized as one of Wright's most acclaimed works, Fallingwater was voted "the best all-time work of American architecture" in a 1991 poll of the American Institute of Architects. As a supreme example of Wright's concept of organic architecture, Fallingwater illustrates the harmony between man and nature that occurs when building, furnishings and site are fully integrated. Wright embraced modern technology to achieve this, designing spaces for living which expressed architecturally the expansive freedom of the American Frontier. Visit www.fallingwater.org or call 724.329.8501.
A tour of the house and grounds requires 1 to 2.5 hours. Reservations are essential to guarantee admission. Wright aficionados should ask about the early morning in-depth excursion when inside photography is permitted. Visitors an also hike the property's 20+ miles of trails, visit the museum store and enjoy a meal in the cafe.
Ohiopyle State Park
A crown jewel of the Pennsylvania State Park System, Ohiopyle is situated where the slopes of Laurel Ridge meet the Youghiogheny River to create Pennsylvania's deepest gorge. Sightseers and those seeking biking, hiking, or paddling adventures will enjoy waterfalls, natural waterslides, rock outcroppings, rare plant species, and amazing overlooks. Whitewater enthusiasts can test their skills on the Lower Youghiogheny, the busiest section of the whitewater in the Eastern United States. Those seeking something a little milder can take a float trip on the Middle Youghiogheny. Over 79 miles of trails provide biking or hiking in all four seasons. Rock climbing and repelling are also available. Whether you are looking for an afternoon stroll or a for the start of a 70-mile backpacking trip on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, Ohiopyle State Park will deliver. Visit www.visitpaparks.com or call Ohiopyle State Park at 724.329.8591. For outfitter information, call Laurel Highlands River Tours 800.472.3846 , Ohiopyle Trading Post 888.644.6795, White Water Adventurers 800.992.7238 or Wilderness Voyageurs 800.272.4141.
A trip to the falls, the overlook and a short visit in town requires 2 or more hours. A more intense visitor experience can involve 8 hours or multiple days.
Winery
The Christian W. Klay Winery, one of Pennsylvania's premiere wineries, is located in at 412 Fayette Springs Road in Chalk Hill just off the historic National Road and minutes from the Summit Inn Resort. The winery offers tours, entertaining special events, shopping in two locations, complimentary tastings of their award-winning vintages and a restored 1880's antique barn which is perfect for private events. Visit www.cwklaywinery.com or Call 724-439-3424.
Check out May 5th and drive home.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Spring Vacation
The winter was so long this year in New England we had to go South a bit to find something living. So we decided to go tour the Civil War battle sites (Antietam and Gettysburg) and Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling water and Kentuck Knob.
First the weather was beautiful, great for hiking and birding, which there is an abundance of in all three locations. April and May are great months since the kids are not out yet and it is not hot and buggy as it is later in the year. And we had these locations to ourselves. Since, the only other people traveling during this time are older people we had these National Parks to ourselves since the older folks tend to take the bus tours. Antietam we only saw people at the visitor center and some bike riders. The Georgian Trail by the Burnside Bridge was glorious. We saw foxes and ground hogs and 15 different kinds of birds. We stayed at the Historic Jacob Rohrebach Inn in Sharpsburg, MD. It was lovely, Great breakfasts, great garden, close to everything. The Generals Quarters where we stayed was lovely, smelled of Cedar, great light, a private porch looked out onto the garden, and complimentary wireless. Our host at the Inn was very friendly and had directions to places to not miss in the area. We took her advice and took the back road to Gettysburg and went by the President's retreat. It was beautiful. Went and hiked the C and O Canal went to Harper's Ferry which was rather depressed and sad. She had warned us on the way to Harper's Ferry to not stop for anything, not a picture, not a dead animal in the road and not a child. A child? She then expounded on the fact that we were going to be going through a bit of West Virginia that was notorious for graft and murder. They would put a baby in the road and as you stopped would steal your catalytic converter or take you. We thought she might be joking but we met a fellow at dinner that night who told us that luckily he liked us or he would have sent his boys out to get our catalytic converter in our car. But instead he invited us to go into the real country for some moonshine in a shack. We declined. Was very happy our car started in the morning:-)
The new museum at Gettysburg was awesome and there were school aged classes being taken there but outside the museum and off the bus tours we were alone on the battlefield. We hiked from Little Round top to Big Round top and then the entire Confederate Line and then Pickett's Charge to the Union Line and then back through Devil's Den. It was gorgeous and so much more interesting getting out of the car and actually reading all the monuments and seeing what they saw, it make very real. Also I highly suggest reading or getting the Cd's to Killer Angel's By Shaara. It makes it all very prescient and personalizes it as nothing else can. The town is touristy but also services a college. We found some nice eateries and lots of history since the battle pasted through the town itself. We went in an antiques shop that at first blush had bullets and flags and old canteens. Then I wandered into a room in which everything in the room had a swastika on it. Dishes, lighters linens etc. I found Joe and we quickly made our exit. Gettysburg may have been the furthest North the South got but it looked like some south stayed.
We ate dinner at a nice brewery and then took a walk along the battlefield at dusk. There were many ghost hunting troops walking about. When we went to go back to our Inn it was pitch black. And driving through the battlefield without a moon their was not a light. I was going slow when I went up a hill and then down and there looking straight at me in the headlights was soldier pointing his rifle right at me. I screamed and hit the gas. Joe just laughed. The next day I drove back to see what it was I saw a tall statue one a rectangular pillar with soldier in a laying position with his rifle pointed just at car height. It was funny but at the time it truly gave me the shivers.
We stayed at the Baladerry Inn which was a farm House turned Hospital after the battle. We stayed in the old house in the Vines Room which had a luxurious King bed, an electric fireplace and 5 large floor to ceiling windows that gave great light and views to the beautiful grounds. The common areas were lovely and the breakfasts were grand. Highly recommend. We did the battle fields during the week so we would not have to deal with the civil war actors on the field. On Friday when we were leaving for the Laurel Highland's the quiet Balderry Inn which we had, had to ourselves the night before became full with ghost hunters, sanitation commission workers, and both sides of the war North and South. It was a good time to leave for architecture.
Fort Necessity in the Laurel Highland's was beautiful. Again we were the only one's there. There was a rather large interactive museum for the tiny fort that is actually there and there is Washington's Tavern which is only open a few times a day with Ranger talks, but still pretty cool.
Kentuck Knob is a beautiful Usonian House. The grounds are also spectacular. One thing you learn is that rich people always get the best land. This house is owned privately by a British Noble, friend of Fergie and Diana, godfather to Fergie's kids. They no longer live here but live just below the knob. No photos are allowed in the house but no matter the grounds have a sculpture park and is just beautiful to walk around. The tour is great, well worth the trip alone. The gift shop and cafe is top notch as well.
We stayed at the Summit Inn which was very close. The Nemacolin is a five star resort in the area as well but we could not afford pure luxury. The Summit Inn was built in 1901 and was a resort destination back in the day. Worth staying here for the friendly service, the big porch with rockers looking down on Uniontown and to the North Pittsburgh, and the large fireplace with chess. The rooms were clean and did the job but not luxurious, but one did not care since you did not want to stay in the room you wanted to go hang out in the hotel. We got on the early morning in-depth tour of Fallingwater because that is the only tour you get to see the whole house and are allowed to take pictures inside. The tour was great worth the extra money. See the great pictures on the slide show. The hiking was beautiful as well. Also hiked Cucumber Falls and the Ohiopyle after the house. The Laurel Highland's are low key, but that is what is nice about them, it makes you slow down and actually relax. Wonderful trip. I will add our itinerary.
First the weather was beautiful, great for hiking and birding, which there is an abundance of in all three locations. April and May are great months since the kids are not out yet and it is not hot and buggy as it is later in the year. And we had these locations to ourselves. Since, the only other people traveling during this time are older people we had these National Parks to ourselves since the older folks tend to take the bus tours. Antietam we only saw people at the visitor center and some bike riders. The Georgian Trail by the Burnside Bridge was glorious. We saw foxes and ground hogs and 15 different kinds of birds. We stayed at the Historic Jacob Rohrebach Inn in Sharpsburg, MD. It was lovely, Great breakfasts, great garden, close to everything. The Generals Quarters where we stayed was lovely, smelled of Cedar, great light, a private porch looked out onto the garden, and complimentary wireless. Our host at the Inn was very friendly and had directions to places to not miss in the area. We took her advice and took the back road to Gettysburg and went by the President's retreat. It was beautiful. Went and hiked the C and O Canal went to Harper's Ferry which was rather depressed and sad. She had warned us on the way to Harper's Ferry to not stop for anything, not a picture, not a dead animal in the road and not a child. A child? She then expounded on the fact that we were going to be going through a bit of West Virginia that was notorious for graft and murder. They would put a baby in the road and as you stopped would steal your catalytic converter or take you. We thought she might be joking but we met a fellow at dinner that night who told us that luckily he liked us or he would have sent his boys out to get our catalytic converter in our car. But instead he invited us to go into the real country for some moonshine in a shack. We declined. Was very happy our car started in the morning:-)
The new museum at Gettysburg was awesome and there were school aged classes being taken there but outside the museum and off the bus tours we were alone on the battlefield. We hiked from Little Round top to Big Round top and then the entire Confederate Line and then Pickett's Charge to the Union Line and then back through Devil's Den. It was gorgeous and so much more interesting getting out of the car and actually reading all the monuments and seeing what they saw, it make very real. Also I highly suggest reading or getting the Cd's to Killer Angel's By Shaara. It makes it all very prescient and personalizes it as nothing else can. The town is touristy but also services a college. We found some nice eateries and lots of history since the battle pasted through the town itself. We went in an antiques shop that at first blush had bullets and flags and old canteens. Then I wandered into a room in which everything in the room had a swastika on it. Dishes, lighters linens etc. I found Joe and we quickly made our exit. Gettysburg may have been the furthest North the South got but it looked like some south stayed.
We ate dinner at a nice brewery and then took a walk along the battlefield at dusk. There were many ghost hunting troops walking about. When we went to go back to our Inn it was pitch black. And driving through the battlefield without a moon their was not a light. I was going slow when I went up a hill and then down and there looking straight at me in the headlights was soldier pointing his rifle right at me. I screamed and hit the gas. Joe just laughed. The next day I drove back to see what it was I saw a tall statue one a rectangular pillar with soldier in a laying position with his rifle pointed just at car height. It was funny but at the time it truly gave me the shivers.
We stayed at the Baladerry Inn which was a farm House turned Hospital after the battle. We stayed in the old house in the Vines Room which had a luxurious King bed, an electric fireplace and 5 large floor to ceiling windows that gave great light and views to the beautiful grounds. The common areas were lovely and the breakfasts were grand. Highly recommend. We did the battle fields during the week so we would not have to deal with the civil war actors on the field. On Friday when we were leaving for the Laurel Highland's the quiet Balderry Inn which we had, had to ourselves the night before became full with ghost hunters, sanitation commission workers, and both sides of the war North and South. It was a good time to leave for architecture.
Fort Necessity in the Laurel Highland's was beautiful. Again we were the only one's there. There was a rather large interactive museum for the tiny fort that is actually there and there is Washington's Tavern which is only open a few times a day with Ranger talks, but still pretty cool.
Kentuck Knob is a beautiful Usonian House. The grounds are also spectacular. One thing you learn is that rich people always get the best land. This house is owned privately by a British Noble, friend of Fergie and Diana, godfather to Fergie's kids. They no longer live here but live just below the knob. No photos are allowed in the house but no matter the grounds have a sculpture park and is just beautiful to walk around. The tour is great, well worth the trip alone. The gift shop and cafe is top notch as well.
We stayed at the Summit Inn which was very close. The Nemacolin is a five star resort in the area as well but we could not afford pure luxury. The Summit Inn was built in 1901 and was a resort destination back in the day. Worth staying here for the friendly service, the big porch with rockers looking down on Uniontown and to the North Pittsburgh, and the large fireplace with chess. The rooms were clean and did the job but not luxurious, but one did not care since you did not want to stay in the room you wanted to go hang out in the hotel. We got on the early morning in-depth tour of Fallingwater because that is the only tour you get to see the whole house and are allowed to take pictures inside. The tour was great worth the extra money. See the great pictures on the slide show. The hiking was beautiful as well. Also hiked Cucumber Falls and the Ohiopyle after the house. The Laurel Highland's are low key, but that is what is nice about them, it makes you slow down and actually relax. Wonderful trip. I will add our itinerary.