I may have forgotten much from my 6th grade history book, but it came alive again in my trip to Sharpsburg, MD and Harpers Ferry, WV last weekend!  I met my National Park Service stamp buddy and good friend, David, at Antietam National Battlefield.  It started in the observation room with windows on all sides giving you a clear view of just about every direction of the battlefield.   The park ranger who gave the talk pointed out certain landmarks and engaged his audience of three with his story-telling ability and animation.  It was a cold and cloudy day, but that didn't dampen our exploratory spirit.  We went on a driving tour of the battlefield stopping at key places along the way.  The bloodiest day in American history with 23,000 soldiers killed, it was hard to shake the image of bodies everywhere in the battlefield.  But it led to the Emancipation Proclamation, so some good came out of it.

Our comfortable and cozy accommodations were not far away.  The Jacob Rohrbach Inn did not disappoint and I highly recommend it.  The innkeepers were very friendly and the breakfast hearty and scrumptious.  Two couples were also staying there and we had a pleasant conversation over ham and cheese strata and pancakes.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Harpers Ferry, but my expectations were exceeded.  It was rich in so much history, most notable for John Brown's raid in an attempt to overthrow slavery and the first integrated school, Storer College.  Lewis and Clark started their expedition there and obtained weapons and a collapsible boat for their journey.  The nature surrounding this town was really beautiful.  The Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet there, which made for a busy transportation and industrial center at one time.

We're looking forward to going back when it's warmer and exploring the nature of these two great national parks.  I learned a lot and always have fun with David!

Tom and I watched "March of the Penguins" last night and Molly got really into it too.  For a long time, she sat right at the TV looking up, moving her head back and forth to the movement of the penguins!  At one point, she got up on her hind legs and propped herself up just an inch of so from the screen.  She loves nature movies.  I think I might have to pop her Cat TV video in for her again soon!

By the way, we really enjoyed the documentary, too.  It was really a sweet movie - highly recommended!