History Road Trip

We recently returned from a road trip to visit several Civil War Battlefields.  Despite the hot weather we had a wonderful time and learned SO much!

We checked into Inn Boonboro - a wonderful place not far from the Antietam Battlefield.

Maybe you have read the Nora Roberts novels about the Inn?

I did, several years ago - we visited once and I knew we had to return!

Nora Roberts, New York Times bestselling author and a longtime resident of nearby Keedysville, watched the slow demise of The Boone Hotel and mourned the decline of the dignified old building. Each room would bear the names of literary lovers – who found their happy endings. The list included Elizabeth and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice; Jane and Rochester from Jane Eyre; Marguerite and Percy from The Scarlet Pimpernel; Titania and Oberon from A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man; and Roberts’ own Eve and Roarke from her JD Robb In Death series. Each guest room would reflect the style of the story’s era.

We stayed in the Jane and Rochester room this time and it was fabulous!

Lovely bed...thank goodness for the step stool to get in!

We did not need the fireplace, but it was lovely.

The framed doilies were belonged to Nora's mother.

Fresh flower arrangements in each room and all over the Inn.

Bathroom was AMAZING...

Deep tub, robes, slippers, and bath products with special scents for each room...

and a "magic toilet" !

A journal for the room, chocolates too!

Each evening there is a wine and and snack reception - we met new friends and chatted for a long time before heading out to dinner.  Two restaurants nearby made it very convenient. 

Breakfast was served in the dining room...

I loved this chandelier!

Fruit and yogurt to start...

then an omelet and croissant - and coffee.  And each room has it's own special blend of tea, too.  During there day there are cookies and scones and cold drinks available, too.

After a hearty breakfast we headed out to Antietam - 

The Park Ranger talk was a good overview of the terrible battle.

Then we took a driving tour of the battlefield - 

Such a bloody battle over the now peaceful farm land.

We headed back to Boonsboro and the Turn the Page Bookstore...where I bought the first in the JD Robb series...

Another great happy hour

then across the street for margaritas...

and shrimp fajitas!

After another great breakfast we headed out to Harper's Ferry to explore and learn about John Brown's raid.

A beautiful spot

and lots of history. 

Headed out for Haymarket, Virginia - the next Inn and the Manassas Battlefields -  

but somewhere along the way our left rear tire started to lose air and the pressure kept going down.  We were on back roads and could not find a gas station with air quickly - so we stopped at a Fire Station, they directed us to a garage...who put in air but could not fix the tire.  The air got us to another garage - which only worked on 4x4 vehicles, but put in MORE air and directed us to a tire repair place.  The GPS got us there, but they were filled with work and could not take us...so MORE AIR until we finally got to Ron's Used Tires.  The guys there were so nice - saw that we picked up a nail or some metal and patched our tire - we were on our way!

The Inn at Evergreen was so nice !

Built in 1827 it was the perfect place to explore the area because the owners fought in the Battle of Manassas - and the house was used as a hospital after the battle.

A large, airy room - and I loved this chair.

Nice bathroom...but no "magic toilet'!

The Inn is located on the Evergreen Country Club so we ate dinner at the club restaurant -

Delicious!

We arrived in time to tour the Visitor Center before a Battle Walk with a guide.

So moving to see the faces of the men  - many young boys - who fought there...

This man was from a town not far from us and he perished in the battle.

This sign made me smile as I remember the many Field Trips I helped chaperone in my career and the trouble wrangling students out of the gift shops!

Our guide for the First Battle of Manassas was an intern from Gettysburg College and she was FABULOUS.  She really brought the battle to life as we walked across the fields...

We watched the film about the two battles in the Visitor Center and our Inn - and our room - were filmed as the hospital scenes.

After some snacks we took another Battle Walk for the Second Manassas ...

Statue of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson - Manassas is where he got the nickname - ""There stands Jackson like a stone wall" 

This battle also raged over several miles, so we drove to the other sites...

Including another stone house that was used as a hospital...soldiers carved their names in the floor as they waited to be treated...

this young soldier was only 17 and did not survive!

Very moving to see these names there so many years later!

It was a very interesting, but long and hot day - luckily the pool at the Inn was open and we had a refreshing swim before dinner.

And got to enjoy a wonderful fireworks show from the back porch of the Inn!

4th of July had us leaving Virginia for Gettysburg, PA

We stayed close to battlefield at The Inn at Herr Ridge 

After the last two places we stayed this was VERY historical, but not as luxurious.

Breakfast the next morning was lovely...

and we were fueled up to take on Gettysburg!

The Visitor Center film and museum are so interesting...and the restored Cyclorama ( no photos allowed ) gives a great overview of the battle.

This time we took a 2 hour bus two with a licensed Battle Field Guide because it was a very hot day.  Here we are looking out at the battlefield from the Confederate view on the day of Pickett's Charge.

Wow - Our Inn was mentioned on the battle plaque.  We had heard it was also used as a hospital and that the place was haunted.  We did not hear or see anything...but in the room journal some guests did!

Wise words...then, and now.

After the battle tour and a quick nap back at the Inn we headed to the Gettysburg National Cemetery for a walk with another Park Ranger - She did an amazing job of explaining the overwhelming job of the aftermath of the battle and Lincoln's visit and famous address. She did a great job of walking us all over the cemetery and stopping a various graves to tell the story of the person who was buried there...reading from their letters and diaries.

We quickly headed over to the Pennsylvania monument - here is John Reynolds from Lancaster, PA - killed on the first day of battle - 

and got ready for 100 Nights of Taps.  Each night from Memorial Day to Labor Day a volunteer plays taps to honor a soldier who died at Gettysburg.

After a long, hot day we ran into these Confederate soldiers who recommended the Irish Pub we were heading to...

Peach Bourbon Sweet Iced Tea - hit the spot !

We enjoyed fish and chips - 

Sweet apple pie to end the day...

and a walk around Gettysburg to enjoy the evening.

It was a wonderful trip and we learned so much!  Now we are thinking of other historical places to visit and on the look out of some more great inns!  Any ideas?  Do you enjoy history?  Road Trips?

I'd love to hear about your adventures - please leave a comment below because I really enjoy hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by Our New Vista !