Gettysburg 101

I visited Gettysburg for the fourth time in my life - the second or third where I could spend some time absorbing the battlefield and understanding the importance of specific points of those three days and not just my personal favorites - Little Round Top and 20th Maine's fight and the march of Pickett's Charge. 

I know that, in my mind and the minds of many historians, Gettysburg was the most important three days of American history. Had there been a different outcome 155 years ago we might have a far different geopolitical map than what exists now. Many, many Americans do not realize what might have happened if Buford hadn't dismounted his cavalry, if Chamberlain had gone down, or entire Pennsylvania line had broken. 

On a gorgeous summer day we visited Cemetery Hill, Oak Hill, the Peach Orchard, the Wheat Field, Little Round Top, and Culp's Hill. We walked the open field where Pickett left over half his division in pools of blood up to the Angle. 

It is hard not to walk that field and think of the men on who marched to their doom. I believe in service to the nation requires an understanding of the sacrifices of those who went before us. 

For me, it is a touchstone to the importance of what we do in the military.  Some day, when they can understand and appreciate it, I will bring the kids here.

20th Maine Fighting Position

Little Round Top looking into Gettysburg

The National Cemetery

Pickett's Charge towards the Copse of Trees

Camp Sea Gull 2018

My boys are at Camp for 4 weeks. . . 27 days. Both of them. At the same time. 

This is the first year that both TJ and Grant are at Sea Gull for the whole month and this is also the first year since TJ started going to camp that I am not working for YMCA Sea Gull and Seafarer. It’s weird to just be a “parent” and not come up with an excuse to be at Camp while they are in session. One of my favorite times to come up with the excuse to visit is over the 4th of July. Where else can you get front row seats to the fireworks and not have to worry about parking? It was the best! 

But now, I am just a mom and living vicariously through my children, sending letters every other day and checking bunk 1 for their pictures non-stop. I know they are having fun— how could the not, but I just kinda want to share the experience with them and keep tabs on all the fun they are having. 
This is TJs 5th year at camp. He first attended Starter Camp when he was 6. Mariners the next year at 7 and the 4-week session at 8, 9, 10, and now 11. Oh wait, this is TJ’s 6th year!? Really? Good grief. This summer he is in Cabin 35– also known as the Rivera because of its location close to the river. One of the best views at Camp, if you ask me. 

This is Grant’s 2nd year at camp. He first attended Starter Camp last year— when he was 6. After that one week he told Rich and I that he was ready for the 4-week session, so we skipped over the two week Mariner’s program. He can handle it. He may not wipe his own butt at home, but at Camp, he is gonna have to. I am excited for him and the confidence and independence he is going to gain. He is in Cabin 15 which is the youngest of the 4-week campers. In the past this used to be known asCabin 1. 

Two weeks in, and it sounds like TJ and Grant are having fun. TJ made the paddle sports team, has completed his Master Paddler (highest rank), and apparently played a big role in the cabin’s Stunt and Talent performance. Grant has been seen playing golf, shooting skeet, and it is reported that he already earned his Alpha! I think TJ finally completed that first rank last year!

With two boys at Camp that would mean that Rich and I are sans kids for the month. Yes. We are without kids, but we only got to spend 8 of the 28 days actually together. Rich is at Fort Knox and I am either at home alone or traveling for Camp Corral. It is wonderful that I have the freedom to do so and not have to worry about leaving the family behind, but it would have been nice for Rich and I to have a little more time together without the kids. Sigh, maybe next year?!

At least we had Disney. 

WDWWTK

Our summers are not lazy affairs.  The kids are at Camp, Lisa is traveling more and more for her new job, and I have expectations for both my careers that takes me away from home.  In fact for several times this summer no one will be home and, if you take Sam into account, we will be in four different states in the month of July.

This is the first time Lisa and I have had more than two days apart from the children since TJ was born.  The question is how do you fill that time?  During the week we watched the shows we wanted to watch, had time to exercise, and not have to pick up after anyone but yourself.  The other answer is that you take a trip.  In this case a trip to Disney - Disney Without The Kids.  We did not have a lot of free time because of our work so we took advantage of the days we still have on our passes from January.  To be adventurous we took a train over night out of Cary, NC and arrived the next morning in Orlando, FL.  

The train was a different experience to be sure.  We had a nice room with bunk beds and after a cocktail and some looking out the window into the North Carolina darkness we were lulled to sleep with the rocking of the train and the occasional horn blast as we crossed roads.  

The first day we walked around the new shops in Disney Springs, had a wonderful nap in our room at Old Key West Resort, and had a nice dinner at a Cuban restaurant.  Lisa looked amazing in this cool dress she bought and I tried to help her look classy.  

As the family all knows, I love to plan the trips to Disney - down to the day and attraction.  Rarely does it ever work out that way - and I don't mind.  While I love the planning,  I also love the spontaneity to try something different.  The plan was to go to Epcot. So, when Lisa said, "let's go to Animal Kingdom," I paused for the briefest of moments before giving over to tossing the plan out the window. 

We laughed at ourselves for trying to get to the park in time for the E-Ticket attraction called Avatar: Flight of Passage - there was a two hour wait before the park even opened!  We DID get to ride Expedition Everest in the front row and loved it! 

We made our way over to Epcot and had a great day visiting attractions and areas of the park we had never seen before. It really was different; being able to go at our pace. Without the boys I turned into the big kid, excited to be with the woman I love, in a place that means so much to me. We liked Soarin' and Living with the Land. Lisa even braved the Orange line on Mission: Space! We made our way into the World Showcase and ate and drank through six countries before the skies shot lightning and rained buckets.  We discovered the DVC lounge and stayed out of the rain while sipping on Diet Coke and good coffee.

Regaining our energy we headed over to the Magic Kingdom for a great dinner at the Skippers Canteen, a soggy evening around the park, stunning fireworks, and even a favorite ride or two.  

The best part of the day was spending it with Lisa.  We love the kids and we love to go places with them.  The boys are great travelers - they do road trips very well and always seem to appreciate where we go.  In the years ahead we hope to have more museums and less amusement parks to show them the larger world out there. Traveling as a family is fun.  However, for a couple days to go to someplace fun without being asked for candy, toys, this and that was a nice reprieve from the "can I get" years they are in right now. And just spend it with my Lisa was great.  At some point - way down the road - it is only going to be us.

Our last day we met up with Pat and his family.  I have not seen Pat in a few years since he moved to Colorado.  I have been friends with Pat since we were in 10th grade.  That is a long time.  A lot of friends have stopped keeping touch.  In adulthood everything seems to be harder - even keeping old relationships up.  However, Pat and I have an easy familiarity about us that allows us to pick up right where we left off.  Only now, when we tell our stories our kids are more likely to look at us quizzically as if to wonder if those stories are true or not. We played in a water park and used the time waiting on lines to catch up in person - even for the briefest of times.

One quick story about my wife - in our rush to get off the Disney bus into the water park she left her camera bag on the bus and did not realize until after the bus departed. Lisa was the epitome of calm under pressure. She merely walked over to the bus station, spoke to the person in charge, and within 5 minutes the bag was found.  Ten minutes after that it was back in her possession.  Not once did she freak out.  

What an amazing woman.