When I was around twelve-ish, my family took a trip to our nation’s capital of Washington D.C.. When we arrived at our hotel room it looked like someone had eaten a bucket of fried chicken on the beds. With the covers pulling double duty as both picnic blanket and napkin. Needless to say, following my father’s rather blunt exchange with the front desk, we climbed back into the car and ended up at a small town about 80 some miles north called Gettysburg.
That unplanned delineation ended up being one of my favorite vacations growing up. And recently, maaaaaaaany many years later, I found myself in Gettysburg once more. Though this time it was not a turn of unexpected events that brought me hither. The Battle of Gettysburg took place on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of July, 1863. Making this year (2023) the 160th anniversary. And I was invited to tag along for a trip planned by my significant other’s General Lee loving Aunt.
The decision to make the journey was any easy one. And knowing we would be staying down town, in a building standing during the battle, definitely appealed to this history nut. Though the drive from Indy was quite the haul. Clocking in at a little over 9 hours in the drivers seat (one way in one day). Maybe not the furthest I’ve done, but regardless I find myself thankful every time I’m able to travel a decent distance from home.
Not because I don’t like being at home. After all, that is where I keep my stuff and where my loved ones tend to be. But rather because it is something I couldn’t do once I was on supplemental oxygen. My O2 needs escalated to quickly for a portable O2 concentrator to be useful. Plus there’s no bringing compressed O2 on a plane. So, as odd as it sounds, the ability to sit for long hours while traveling… is one of many things I’m grateful to God and my donor for.
Upon arriving in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania we carried our luggage up two flights of stairs (No elevators in houses built around 1863), got cleaned up, ate, and went to bed. But the next day was spent exploring the town and the battlefields surrounding it. Which for me meant lots of wandering around snapping tons and tons of pictures.
Something to definitely keep in mind if you’re thinking of going to Gettysburg despite any breathing complications you might suffer from. And something I honestly did not remember from my childhood visit. Is that the town is on a long hill. So walking to food, shops, and the various little museums can be very taxing. Additionally the surrounding battle fields are 90% rolling hills. Not just the heights and high ground either. Even the open fields have noticeable ups and downs.
Thankfully there are roads that can get you pretty darn close, if not right up next to, almost anything one would like to see. There are of course a few towers, ridges, and the famous round tops that a car can’t get you to the peak of. But if you can manage to get to Gettysburg, even with O2, there is a lot you’ll be able to see. I personally like the audio tours you can take at your own pace in your own car. But there are bus tours one can take as well.
I am really glad I went back to Gettysburg after all these years. Somethings are different of course. It has a little more of a tourist trap feel to it than I remembered. The old visitors center, with it’s amazing sculpted topographic map that lit up the positions and movements of the troops, is long gone. But once you get out on the battle ground, if you have knowledge and respect for what happened there, it is really amazing to behold.
I know historical trips are not everyone’s cup of tea of ourse. So mileage may vary on how neat it is to stand on a ridge, looking out over a wheat field, imagining all the lives lost there 160 years ago. But for those of you who like their tea the way I do… or perhaps just enjoy looking at the photos of my journeys. I hope you get something uplifting out of the things I post. And I promise to keep posting them as long as I am blessed with these borrowed breaths. (Including more from this trip soon.)
Borrowed Breaths 
Great pics! Gettysburg is a cool place. I remember visiting with dad heading east towards Cooperstown (another small town with big significance). Thanks for sharing!
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Nicholas,
Just sent a note, whatever happens, to FB. Just figured out about what
you meant by “reply to this email.” Duh. I also have IPF. 4 yrs. in,
doing kinda okay. Still out on the trails with my dog, though now with
tank O2. Went through eval with MGH in Boston for transplant and being
74, I figure I’ve had a good run and I would let the Universe run as is
its wont. Â I’ve tried to connect with you via FB over the past couple
years, but that hasn’t worked. I have a good school bus story for you,
from the 1940’s/50’s. Also a nice Gettysburg story antithetical to your
experience. I use email mostly, being an old guy. Retired therapist
after 50 yrs, working mostly with PTSD from Vets to survivors of various
things.
Peace, Rand O’Brien
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