Two National Parks in one day

Today we went to Valley Forge and Ft. McHenry. There was a lot of driving and riding involved to do this great feat.

First, we went to Valley Forge which was just down the road from our hotel. We watched a movie about Valley Forge and its history. Then we followed a Park Ranger for a while, later went back to the Visitor's Center to work on our Junior Ranger badge. Afterward, we drove through the area listening to an informational CD about the events that took place there. We saw the huts and talked to an interpreter in one. We found out the winter weather did not kill the large numbers of soldiers, but the lack of food and clean medical attention did. The food was available but could not be brought to the encampments because the roads were muddy and transportation could not bring the food to the men regularly. Antibiotics and antiseptics were unknown and undeveloped at that time.

Further down the road, we came to Washington's Headquarters. It was originally owned by a wealthy grist mill owner who allowed the rental of the property for General Washington to use. The kitchen was interestingly separated from the house for safety because kitchens often caught on fire.

We left Pennsyvania, drove through Delaware and arrived at Ft. McHenry in Maryland.

While there we saw an impressive film about the Francis Scott Key poem put to music and in 1931 became our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." In 1814 there was a huge battle between the Crowned Forces and soldiers in Ft. McHenry as they fought for 25 hours. The soldiers were protecting Baltimore and its large population and the freedoms we enjoy today.