The happy couple

Never Happier

Dunker Church

(photo by Marleen Brooks)

Susan, Rev John Schildt, Mannie 

(photo by Mary Berger)

(photo by Marleen Brooks)

(photo by Mary Berger)

Ike greets us with a shower of autumnal leaves

(photo by Dave Maher)

(photo by Mary Berger)

November 20th, 2010

Antietam National Battlefield

...just north of Sharpsburg,

Ranger Mannie

Things Change

When You've been out sick for three weeks there's bound to be some changes upon your return.

 I was winding up this beautiful first afternoon back when I glanced out to the parking lot and saw a delightful sight.

"Oh yeah..." said a colleague "there are now horse and buggy tours of the park."

Some things bear closer investigation.

I went out and introduced myself to Bill Licliter and  Laurie Atkinson from Bonnymeed Farm over in Shepherdstown.  Sure enough They are the new authorized tour livery for the park.

Buzz, the horse, sensed that I was sniffing around for a free ride...

which Laurie graciously offered.

This little wagon is made of oak and simply, though nicely appointed with comfortable seats...

 plenty of springs, and rubber tires (or tyres) for a nice smooth ride.

In keeping with the Park's move toward sustainability...

 it's also very fuel efficient.

With Bill at the reins, I was given a delightful spin north on Dunker Church Road.

I'd never seen Philly Brigade Park from quite this vantage point.

Thanks to this short ride I learned that there's an interesting similarity between Park Rangers and horses;

every day, we make new friends.

It is so good to be back.

clip-clopping along, just north of Sharpsburg,

Mannie

This looks interesting:

Discovering the Civil War at the National Archives