August 11 at Antietam National Battlefield

For the last three weeks it has been so hot, humid, and hazy that the sky has been a dull, moist gray. No clouds, no color, no blue...South Mountain had vanished in the haze.

Today the temps finally dropped and we were treated to a beautiful blue sky with billowy clouds. It was altogether a beautiful and pleasant day which I'd like to share with you in pictures.

Here, then, Is Saturday August 11, at Antietam National Battlefield. I wish you could have been there with me.


Finally a blue, non-hazy sky for the tower to rest against.

The Last of the mimosas on the Hagerstown Pike. Like little tufts of cotton candy they have weathered the drought and brought color, butterflies, and hummingbirds to our valley.

Living History at Antietam. The 27th Virginia infantry Regiment is on hand this weekend. Click on the title of this post to view a Youtube movie of them in action, or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco4WWfjVyA.

The 27th VA is looking good as they prepare to march over to the visitor's center for a demonstration of infantry tactics.

All of us who were once little boys can relate to this.
For those of us who are veterans... it gives us pause.

CHARGE BAYONETS! I don't know about you, but this here yankee is ready to skedaddle!



I got Ranger Hoptak to reveal his Lincolnesque side.

Someone spotted me taking pictures.


Say it ain't so! It appears that Capt. Tomkins battery has been taken by the rebs.


Late summer's got this little dude pretty jaded. He quickly sized me up as a non-threat and refused to budge. This is called "merely annoying a grasshopper".

The late summer cosmos tower over the gun (and Ranger Mannie).

A day of shooting means an evening of cleaning. Our friends from the 27th Virginia clean up before supper...

...as I take down and fold up the flag, at the end of yet one more, of the best days of my life.


Just north of Sharpsburg

Ranger Mannie