Labor Day Trip, Day 2

Okay, Sarah's a bit wild right now so the blogging may be brief. Second day of the Labor Day weekend we began by going to the cute (slightly overcute) old town of Shepherdstown, WV visiting some boutiques and a farmer's market, deciding not to eat at the rather fancy places there. Instead we headed across the Potomac, through Sharpsburg (site of the Antietam Battlefield, and on to the good-ol'country Red Byrd Restaurant in Keedysville, MD. I was actually surprised to find the Red Byrd had a website. I've known it since I started tramping battlefields back in the 80s. Then we went to the Antietam Battlefield, and visited the visitor center, where after viewing the battlefield from the viewing area and discussing with her Dad the beauty of the scene where the largest number of Americans to die in a single day, ever, gave their lives, we visited the bookstore where Sarah bought a plastic toy version of the Burnside Bridge. Then we went to see the real Burnside Bridge, pet two dachsunds, look at some other sites (the Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, the Cornfield), and then proceeded on our way.

We then drove up through the old river town of Williamsport (best known to those who follow the retreat from Gettysburg) and on by back roads to Fort Frederick State Park, where one of the few French and Indian War frontier forts built of stone still stands (sort of). The stone walls have been heavily reconstructed and the barracks rebuilt by the CCC in the 30s, and since, but it's still a good historical site and Sarah is starting to understand the links between Fort Frederick (18th century), Fort McHenry in Baltimore (early 19th century, of Star Spangled Banner Fame) and Fort Washington south of DC (mid-19th century).

By this time the day was hot, everyone had had enough for today, and we hopped on the Interstates (so far mostly avoided) to return to Martinsburg and a stop at the Martinsburg Mall where Tam found some pants she needed, Sarah some fancy fake jewelry, and Daddy, well, Daddy looked around. Then back after a brief grocery stop to the hotel, then dinner at a Texas steakhouse, just a chain place but next to the hotel. And so, after Sarah bouncing about for a bit, to bed.

I'll add more later or in subsequent days. Right now I think I'm keeping Sarah awake.

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