I took 209 photos today. It was a very busy day. We left my cousin’s condo at 10 and continued our trip eastward towards Gettysburg. We were going to stay two nights there, but Plan B is now in affect and we will be moving on again tomorrow. This day will also be split into two parts. We did not leave the Gettysburg National Miliarty Park until 7 PM, then found a place for dinner and did not check into our hotel until 8:30 – which makes it very late to up writing a blog after I have sorted, edited and resized all the photos I think I will use.

Bedford is about one third of the way between Somerset and Gettysburg. There was a strategic fort built there that was a crucial link in the British chain of fortified supply depots.

There was a nice little river flowing in front of the Fort Museum.

Nothing of the original fort remains. And it was much larger than the one made for the museum. They were fortunate that an archaeological excavation found evidence of the old wooden foundation.

This British flag has been authenticated as from the time period of the fort.

There were three rooms in the fort museum with displays about the fort, about the town of Bedford, about the Native American life in the area, and about the peoples lives during the period.

The Bedford area was heavily involved in distilling bootleg whiskey during Prohibition.

One of the display sections told the story of Eve Ernst who had been captured by Shawnee Indians and who had walked home.

I was really surprised at how long and how deep the wagon was. No wonder it took a six-horse team to pull.

The third room right at the back of the fort museum was a relatively new dsection and really well set out with nice displays from bygone days.

These are skates.

A little girl’s beautiful tea set.

We left Bedford about noon. On our drive today we passed quite a few nice big dairy farms and several large chicken barns. As we continued east we had to go up and over two summits that had very steep grades up and down and a lot of tight curves. No large trucks are allowed to take the route and there are runaway lanes for any others. Another, “I wish I was on my motorocycle” day for John. But you would have to stay sharp. There were several sections with 8% grade down winding corners.

The Sideling Summit was 2195′ (669 meters) and theTuscarora Summit was 2123′ (647 meters) above sea level.

This was an old Toll House at St. Thomas.

We arrived at Gettysburg at 3 PM and went to the Visitor’s Center where we downloaded the 16-part Auto Tour that gives a chronological description of the Battle of Gettysburg that took place on July 1, 2, & 3, 1863 and was a defining battle in the American Civil War. Part 2 tomorriow.