The third leg of our trip brought us from Delaware, the first state to ratify the US Constitution and gain entry into the Union, to a major turning point in the Civil War 75 years later in Gettysburg, PA. Along the way, we made stops in Maryland and the nation’s capital.
C-5A Galaxy, Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover AFB, DE – On 24 October 1974, the U.S. Air Force successfully conducted an Air Mobile Feasibility Test when this C-5A air dropped an ICBM from 20,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. The test proved the feasibility of launching an ICBM from the air and the capability was used as a negotiating talking point in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).
B-17G Flying Fortress, Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover AFB, DE – The B-17 was America’s most famous heavy bomber during WWII. Over 12,000 were produced for combat. Today only about 40 remain in museums. Less than a dozen of these are in flying condition. This Fortress was one of the last on active duty in the Air Force. It is the sole remaining aircraft from the 1948 Flying Bomb project and served as a Drone Director with the Guided Missile Wing at Eglin AFB, FL. Disassembled at the USAF Museum, it was flown to Dover in a C-5. After a seven year restoration it is painted and marked as Sleepy Time Gal from the 381st Bomb Group.
VC-9C, Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover AFB, DE – This VC-9C transported America’s top leadership from 1975 until 2011. Much of that time it served as Air Force Two for Vice Presidents Walter Mondale, George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Dick Cheney. It also served several of America’s First Ladies – Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush. When this aircraft was needed to transport presidents into smaller airports – Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush – it served as Air Force One. It also transported visiting world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II and the Chief of Staff of the People’s Republic of China.
Downtown Lewes, DE – a modern clock commemorating the founding of the first settlement in Delaware in 1631.
The Cannonball House, Lewes, DE – In 1813, the British attacked the town of Lewes and kept the canal front under siege, but eventually were defeated. This nearby house was hit and that same cannonball remains lodged in its foundation today.
Beach Buddy, Rehoboth Bay, DE – Coast to Coast doggy, Buddy has had his paws in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Not that he’s aware of that.
Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, Millsboro, DE – A stunning sunset on our evening walk at Rehoboth Bay. We stayed at this RV Park during the Labor Day Weekend, where it was packed with families and vacationers. Regular vacationers here bring their own golf carts and cruise the park at sunset.
Berlin, MD – Historical Berlin commercial district.
Feejee Mermaid, Mermaid Museum, Berlin, MD – One of the curiosities in the world’s first Mermaid Museum. The Feejee Mermaid is a mythical half-monkey half-fish which is said to have been caught off the coast of Fiji, and became one of the sideshows at the P.T. Barnum circus.
Assateague Island National Seashore, Berlin, MD – Some of the resident ponies of Assateague Island, thought to be descendants of surviving horses from a Spanish galleon shipwreck in the mid-18th century.
Jefferson Memorial, Washington D.C. – Built in honor of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s 3rd President.
National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD – Johnston’s crocodile, also known as an Australian freshwater crocodile, from one of the dozens of unique aquatic displays at this impressive aquarium.
National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD – Yellow and blue poison dart frogs.
USS Torsk, Baltimore, MD – One of 4 ships on display in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. On August 14th 1945 the Torsk torpedoed and sank a coastal defense frigate off Japan, this was the last enemy ship sunk by the US Navy in WWII.
USS Torsk, Baltimore, MD – the self-guided tour takes you through the confined spaces of a WWII submarine.
US Light Ship Chesapeake, Baltimore, MD – Starting in the early 1800s, light ships were used to aid navigation before a permanent lighthouse or buoys were installed.
USS Constellation, Baltimore, MD – The USS Constellation is the last sail-only warship designed and built by the US Navy. She was built between 1853 and 1855 and saw service through the Civil War.
Wills House, Gettysburg, PA – Abraham Lincoln slept in this house on November 18th 1863, the night before his immortal address at the newly established National Cemetery.
Shriver House Museum, Gettysburg, PA – The museum offers a wonderful guided tour through the meticulously restored 1860 home, giving a civilian perspective of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Shriver House Museum, Gettysburg, PA – Having been commandeered by Confederate soldiers, the attic of the home was hastily converted into a sniper’s nest. The holes in the brickwork represent the actual gunports used and they found unspent rounds during the restoration process.
Cyclorama, Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA – Painted by French artist Paul Philippoteaux, the 42ft x 377ft oil canvas depicts Pickett’s Charge… the failed infantry assault that was the climax of the Battle of Gettysburg. The painting is a type of 360 degree cylindrical painting intended to immerse the viewer in the scene being depicted.
Pennsylvania Civil War Memorial, Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA – Dedicated in 1910, this is the largest of over a 1000 monuments on the Gettysburg Battlefield.
Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA – The position from which Union soldiers defended the last charge of 12,000 Confederate infantrymen, the last miscalculation by Robert E. Lee in his loss at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Civil War Tails, Homestead Diorama Museum, Gettysburg, PA – An impressive display of dioramas for anyone who has ever wondered what the Civil War would have looked like if it had been fought by cats.
