The Gipper Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Best battlefield is easily sharpsburg, Maryland, aka Antietam creek I have been to a lot of Battlefields, Revolutionary War/Civil War/War of 1812/even French and Indian War. It is quite hard to rank them. And sometimes it is difficult to even determine what a battle field is. Example: is a Fort where a skirmish took place considered a "battlefield". Just take the French/Indian War. I have been to Fort Ticonderoga, Fort William Henry, Fort Necessity, and the town/fort or Louisbourg. Are these "battlefields"? In the following posts, I am going to list all the "battle sites" of the various wars that I have visited, as much for my own edification as anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 French and Indian War Battlefields I have visited: Braddock Expedition, Wester PA Fort Necessity Fort Carillon/Fort Ticonderoga (Carillon was the French name for the same fort) Ft. William Henry Lake George Battlefield Louisbourg (Nova Scotia) The Plains of Abraham (Quebec) Mexican-American War Battlefields I have visited: Palo Alto (outside Brownsville TX) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Revolutionary War Battlefields I have visited: Lexington and Concord Ft. Stanwix/Oriskany Brandywine Saratoga Kings Mountain The Cowpens Guilford Courthouse The Siege of 96 Germantown (Philadelphia) Yorktown Valley Forge (not strictly a battle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 War of 1812 Battlesites I have been to: Lake Erie//Put-In-Bay Ft. McHenry Mackinaw Island Washington DC and environs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Civil War Battlefields I have visited: Ft. Sumter Bull Run/Manassas I and II Wilson Creek Ft. Donelson Yorktown (yes, a Civil War battle was fought at Yorktown) Shiloh Ft. Pulaski Corinth Murfreesboro/Stone's River Harper's Ferry Antietem/Sharpsburg Arkansas Post Chancellorsville Fredericksburg Vicksburg Gettysburg Morgan's Surrender/Salineville Charleston Harbor The Wilderness Spotsylvania Brice Crossroad's Tupelo Monocacy Siege of Columbia SC. I am going to be visiting Richmond/Petersburg/Appamattox/Cedar Creek in June When I was a little kid I may have visited Chattanooga, but I was so young I barely remember it, so I don't count it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I stick by Antietam. Its extremely moving, epic skirmishes occured there in places like the corn field, the sunken road, and burnside's bridge, and there's photographic evidence of the carnage that occured in those places so you really get the feeling of what it must have been like, defending the sunken road when the union boys started pouring over the ridge only yards in front of you and what must have been going through their minds. Antietam is the site of the bloodiest single day in American history. It stopped Lee's first invasion of the north, and mostly sealed the south's loss by discouraging foriegn intervention. So the importance is definately there, and what makes it a great destination is that its compact compared to a place like gettysburg, and its lesser known. I had the chance to hike it one drizzly spring morning last year, and we were nearly alone. Oh, and the land it occured on is simply beautiful. Just the solemn feeling of walking burnside bridge in the rain was enough to justify taking a civil war vacation over the traditional beach scene. If you're into battlefields and American history Antietam is just awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 How about this one: best cemetery. Winner: Arlington - for the history- 1st runner up: Lake view cemetary, Cleveland Oh. President Garfield (assassinated) John Rockefeller. Absolutely beautiful landscaping and the haserot angel. Second runner up greenwood cemetary, Brooklyn NY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 Those stain glass windows in the Garfield Mausoleum were made by Tiffany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 Yes, I believe they were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 War of 1812 Battlesites I have been to: Lake Erie//Put-In-Bay Ft. McHenry Mackinaw Island Washington DC and environs Add: River Raisin, in Michigan, just last month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Civil War Battlefields I have visited: Ft. Sumter Bull Run/Manassas I and II Wilson Creek Ft. Donelson Yorktown (yes, a Civil War battle was fought at Yorktown) Shiloh Ft. Pulaski Corinth Murfreesboro/Stone's River Harper's Ferry Antietem/Sharpsburg Arkansas Post Chancellorsville Fredericksburg Vicksburg Gettysburg Morgan's Surrender/Salineville Charleston Harbor The Wilderness Spotsylvania Brice Crossroad's Tupelo Monocacy Siege of Columbia SC. I am going to be visiting Richmond/Petersburg/Appamattox/Cedar Creek in June When I was a little kid I may have visited Chattanooga, but I was so young I barely remember it, so I don't count it. Yes, add Cedar Creek, Richmond, Petersburg, Appamattox where I was in early June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalabazooka Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Here is some food for thought as you plan your summer vacations. Some hints for your travels, all USA (incl. possessions): Best Sunset: Cape Flattery, Washington Best Sunrise: On top of Mt. Haleakala, Maui. (honorable mention: Quoddy Head, Maine) Best Beaches: St. John, US Virgin Islands Best Patriotic site: Fort McHenry, Baltimore Best Trees: California: Redwoods/Sequoias/Ancient Bristlecone pine/Joshua Trees Best Single Vista: Inspiration Point, Yosemite NP (Multiple vistas: Grand Canyon) Most Fun Town: New Orleans. (Honorable mention: Chicago) Best Small Town: Woodstock, Vermont. (honorable mentions: Chatham, Mass. Seaside Fla.) Best Consistent Architecture: Santa Fe, NM Campiest Attraction: House on the Rock, Spring Green, Wisconsin Nicest College Campus that is not Kenyon: Duke (honorable mention: Notre Dame) Nicest State Capitol building: Olympia, Washington (more for it setting than the building itself) Best Tall Building: Empire State Building Best Statue not called Liberty: Mt. Rushmore Best Scenic Town Setting: Sedona, Arizona Best City Park System: Savannah, Georgia Gawdiest Display of Wealth: Newport, Rhode Island Best Stadium: Wrigley Field Best preserved Western Town: Tombstone, Ariz. (honorable mention: Lincoln NM) Best hiking for the average person: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Best Lake: Crater Lake Best Mountain Range: The Grand Tetons Best Casino: Lakeside Inn and Casino, Stateline Nevada (Tahoe) Best Aquariam: National Aquariam, Baltimore Best Breakfast/Dinner combination: Camellia Grill and Commander's Palace, New Orleans Feel free to add your own Damn, you've really gotten around! Do you travel for your job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Damn, you've really gotten around! Do you travel for your job? NO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Revolutionary War Battlefields I have visited: Lexington and Concord Ft. Stanwix/Oriskany Brandywine Saratoga Kings Mountain The Cowpens Guilford Courthouse The Siege of 96 Germantown (Philadelphia) Yorktown Valley Forge (not strictly a battle) I am hoping to go to Morristown next week, if the damn thing is open....at least let the road be open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Hey Gip I like the cut of your jib. Any guy that visits all those battlefields is alright by me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hey Gip I like the cut of your jib. Any guy that visits all those battlefields is alright by me. I went to Morristown....but also was at the sight of a very much unknown Revolutionary War battle called the Battle of Minnisink. It was in upstate NY, just above the Delaware River. 200 Patriots lost their lives to a group of Tories and Indians. Also was at the sight where Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas Eve before the Battle of Trenton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Revolutionary War Battle Sites I have visited: Lexington and Concord Boston Gunpowder Incident (Williamsburg) Ft. Ticonderoga Machias (Maine) 96 Quebec Savannah Trenton (including Washington Crossing) Ft. Stanwix Oriskany Brandywine Saratoga Germantown Chillicothe Charleston Kings Mountain Cowpens Guildford Courthouse Yorktown Blue Licks Ky. Arkansas Post Minnisink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 People criticise americans for never leaving america. While I can understand that to a degree, not seeing all the different cultures etc, it's just incredible to see the vast range of nature and culture that exists within the country - you could not leave and still have 50 very unique holidays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 People criticise americans for never leaving america. While I can understand that to a degree, not seeing all the different cultures etc, it's just incredible to see the vast range of nature and culture that exists within the country - you could not leave and still have 50 very unique holidays. I have never heard anyone criticize Americans for never leaving America. Who the fuck does that? And why? How about this gft: apply the categories I have used and apply them to the UK....or wtf, apply them to the entirety of Europe. Bust sunsets, sunrises, stadiums, mountain ranges etc. etc. etc. I mean, why go to the Alps when I can go to the Rockies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I have never heard anyone criticize Americans for never leaving America. Who the fuck does that? And why? How about this gft: apply the categories I have used and apply them to the UK....or wtf, apply them to the entirety of Europe. Bust sunsets, sunrises, stadiums, mountain ranges etc. etc. etc. I mean, why go to the Alps when I can go to the Rockies. People outside America, clearly! And no, that's not a dig. But people do, it's a real thing that happens. I guess you'll have to take my word for it. Not been to enough places around europe to comment on all of that, but it'd probably go something like: Best Sunset: Canary Islands Best Sunrise: Don't recall ever being awake for sunrise (for good reasons at least) Best Beaches: south of France/northwest italy Best Patriotic site: differs country to country obviously, but for a few countries it might be Ypres Best Single Vista: Pick your favourite point in the alps, there are loads with views of mountains, lakes, trees, snow and wildlife. Most Fun Town: Honestly, London's up there, with Barcelona and Amsterdam Best Consistent Architecture: Paris, without a single doubt in my mind. Campiest Attraction: ? Most like a camp? Not much of a camper. Nicest College Campus that is not Kenyon: My alma mata, University of Birmingham is pretty nice. But winner is probably Cambridge/Oxford, although not strictly speaking a campus Best Tall Building: The Shard is striking, if not 'nice' Best Statue not called Liberty: Probably the colossus at Rhodes or Zeus at Olympia, if they were still around Best Scenic Town Setting: Any of hundreds in and around southern/central europe, through france, italy, switzerland, pick your poison. Gawdiest Display of Wealth: Monte Carlo - yachts absolutely everywhere and not a poor person in sight. Closely followed by Cannes. Best Stadium: Nou Camp Best hiking for the average person: Swiss Alps Best Lake: Geneva? Best Mountain Range: Alps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Campiest Attraction: ? Most like a camp? Not much of a camper Campy in this sense means kitchsy, low brow, or weird/bizarre, odd, quirky Here is a better definition: "camp: providing sophisticated amusement by virtue of having artificially (and vulgarly) mannered or banal or sentimental qualities; "they played up the silliness of their roles for camp effect"; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 here is a "campy" attraction: 40 foot tall beer cans: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Cadillac Ranch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I don't know about Europe, but here is one I found in Australia. Try to put this shrimp on the barbie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Ok, we don't really have those! They're quite american. Nearest I can think of is probably the horse or angel of the north: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted February 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 Ok, we don't really have those! They're quite american. Nearest I can think of is probably the horse or angel of the north: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westbury_White_Horse Is this the "Westbury White Horse? If so, it is not what I would call "Campy". I read The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell, and this white horse is supposedly a commemoration of The Battle of Ethandun between the Saxons and the Danes. In fact this horse has supposedly been there since the days of Alfred the Great. Apparently one of the leaders of the Danes was a fellow named Svein, who rode a white horse and whose sigil was a white horse, so they constructed this "design" on the nearby hillside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob806 Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Wow, somehow I missed this thread. My family loves to travel, camping in particular as we've been camping in 38 states. Here is some food for thought as you plan your summer vacations. Some hints for your travels, all USA (incl. possessions):Best Sunset: Union Bay, on Lake Superior in Michigan's UPBest Sunrise: Acadia National Park, MaineBest Beaches: Long Beach, NCBest Patriotic site: GettysburgBest Trees: California: Redwoods/Sequoias/Ancient Bristlecone pine/Joshua Trees yes!Best Single Vista: Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, or Half Dome in YosemiteMost Fun Town: Las VegasBest Small Town: Deadwood, SDBest Consistent Architecture: Campiest Attraction:Nicest College Campus that is not Kenyon: Penn State Nicest State Capitol building: Montpelier, VTBest Tall Building: Empire State BuildingBest Statue not called Liberty: Mt. RushmoreBest Scenic Town Setting: Kalispell, MTBest City Park System: ClevelandGawdiest Display of Wealth: Charlevoix, MIBest Stadium: Ohio StadiumBest preserved Western Town: Moab, UTBest hiking for the average person: Dolly Sods Wilderness, WVBest Lake: Mono Lake, near Yosemite NP ( never been to Crater Lake, yet)Best Mountain Range: The Grand TetonsBest Casino: Best Aquariam: Best Breakfast/Dinner combination: Feel free to add your own Bryce Canyon & Arches National Parks..."must sees" if you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Wow, somehow I missed this thread. My family loves to travel, camping in particular as we've been camping in 38 states. A lot of good choices Bob. A couple of things; I have been around Whitefish Bay and Keeweenaw Bay in the UP, but I don't know where Union Bay is. I have not been to Long Beach NC, Kalispell, Dolly Sods, or the Capital in Montpelier. Since I am going to Vermont this summer I will try to pop in there. You also get a big check mark from me on your choices of Acadia....I suspect the sunset/sunrise on Cadillac Mtn. would be awesome. Also on Dead Horse Pt, Mono Lake and Bryce and Arches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob806 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 A lot of good choices Bob. A couple of things; I have been around Whitefish Bay and Keeweenaw Bay in the UP, but I don't know where Union Bay is. I have not been to Long Beach NC, Kalispell, Dolly Sods, or the Capital in Montpelier. Since I am going to Vermont this summer I will try to pop in there. You also get a big check mark from me on your choices of Acadia....I suspect the sunset/sunrise on Cadillac Mtn. would be awesome. Also on Dead Horse Pt, Mono Lake and Bryce and Arches. I saw you were at Quoddy Head, and I've been there too its amazing (I think it's the most eastern point in the USA). Union Bay is the name of a campground ( suppose the nearest city would be Ontonagon, MI). It's also funny to me that the best gnocchi I ever ate was in the U.P. Another cool spot in the U.P. is the ski jump at Copper Head- you can climb to the top and see just how high those ski jumpers take off from, it is amazing. So many beautiful things to see in the USA, but not enough time or money I suppose to see it all (mega millions would cure that lol). I really want to see the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon/Washington someday, along with Big Bend National Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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