Antietam National Battlefield

One thing we were able to squeeze in was a trip to Antietam National Battlefield.  Autumn had wanted to go for sometime so we finally went.  It was one of those overcast humid days but we were all game.

It had been awhile since I was last there.  The last time I was there was with Granddad, Grandmom and Aunt Marie (G-mom's sister).  Growing up Granddad always made a point to visit the Civil War battlefields if there was one near by.  I can't even remember all the ones I have been too.

When we entered the building we were, or should I say the kids, given the opportunity to do the junior ranger program.  Autumn didn't want to, but Logan was all in.

Boy was he ready to tackle the project.  

Here they both are at Dunker Church.

We scaled the tower in record time.  Don't ask why we sprinted to the top.  Our legs felt like rubber the rest of the day.  The views are just awesome up here and I can only imagine it on a nice crisp day.

When looking at this view of Sunken Road, you can't help but think of all the husbands, brothers and sons that were lost during that infamous battle on September 17, 1862.  After three hours of battle, which neither side won an advantage, 5,500 soldiers had lost their lives and this road then became known as Bloody Lane.

We walked on down to Burnside Bridge with our jelly legs in rain.  Here we are watching a group of tubers going down the creek.

This is one of the most photographed bridges of the Civil War.  It played a key roll in the Battle of Antietam.

Once we finally drug ourselves back up the hill, the kids said they wanted to go to the National Cemetery.  It was raining but they still wanted to go.  

It was hard reading a lot of the tombstones as time and the elements have left them unreadable.  

Here Autumn is looking out over the battlefield.

We headed on back to the Visitors Center to turn in Logan's Booklet.

Here he was being presented with his Junior Ranger badge and he had to take the oath and got a certificate.  

The kids said they had a fun day and it was fun showing them history in person and teaching them a little bit in the process.  It's amazing and sad how many people don't even know how to say Antietam let alone what happened here or where it even is.  I can only thank Granddad for taking me to all the places he did and my desire to do the same for my kids.  Even though I wouldn't admit it then, I learned a lot.