The Wandering Disciple

A cannon sits atop a ridge in Gettysburg. The cannon battery would be positioned on the ridge line protect the high ground and the troops sheltering behind the ridge from attack forces down below.  Gettysburg was site of the deadliest battle of the Civil War and the only battle to be fought on northern soil. The Union victory in the battle would become a turning point in the war. Today a large portion of the battlefield has been preserved as a National Park.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)

A family of deer graze in one of the orchards in the Gettysburg battlefield. White tail deer can be found throughout the region grabbing a snack in fields or seeking cover in the treelines of the battlefield.  White Tail Deer are common in Pennsylvania and widely hunted. The deer have adapted to being hunted and have the intuitive ability to seek protection within the boundaries of the national park.   Taken: July 14, 2023 at Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA) 

One of the most iconic speeches in US history came from atop a hill in Gettysburg. President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address to dedicate the national cemetery and honor the brave soldiers who lost their lives defending the republic in the bloodiest conflict in the Civil War.  This historic moment is memorialized around the town including this statue at the county library. The statue was dedicated on November 23, 2013 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.  Taken: July 14, 2023 (Gettysburg, PA)

Walking up to the pathway to this mansion in Lancaster Township, you can see the elegance. In fact, the mansion almost looks fit for a president. Well that’s because it is the home of former President James Buchanan. Known commonly as Wheatland, the home served as the home to Buchanan from 1848 until his death. From the elegant mansion Buchanan served as the ambassador to Great Britain and as President of the United States.  Today Wheatland is part of the LancasterHistory museum. As part of your visit to the museum, you can learn about our country’s fifteenth president and get an opportunity to get an inside look at his home which hosted some of the most influential people during the period.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at LancasterHistory (Lancaster, PA)

For almost 100 years, the Landis Valley House Hotel was the crossroads of Lancaster County. From its strategic site in Landis Valley, the hotel was the center of life in the valley. But it was much more than just a lodge, it served as a restaurant, bar, post office, livestock auction, polling place and many more social functions. It was even the site of a shooting duel in 1886.  It was built in 1856 by Jacob Landis Jr. It served as a lodge up until 1930 when it became a restaurant. It would eventually be bought by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and is now on display as part of the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (Lancaster, PA) 

Perched atop the south end of Mount Penn, the Reading Pagoda has stood as a symbol of the city for over a hundred years. The Pagoda was built in 1907 to become the centerpiece of a luxury hotel. But the hotel never materialized and the Pagoda was gifted to the City of Reading in 1911.   Today it stands tall above Reading as a symbol of the city. You can see the Pagoda high above the hill from throughout the city. Or you can take the drive up Skyline Drive to the Pagoda and take in the panoramic view from the Pagoda and its adjacent park.  Taken: July 13, 2023 at Reading Pagoda (Reading, PA)

Fans of the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World may see some resemblance with this historic mansion in Jim Thorpe and the popular Florida theme park attraction. The exterior Harry Packer Mansion was the inspiration for the Haunted Mansion ride. But unlike the Florida attraction, you don’t need to become the thousandth haunt to spend a night in the mansion, the Harry Packer Mansion is now a popular bed and breakfast.  Built in 1874 by renowned architect Addison Hutton, the mansion features Victorian-age furnishings throughout the home. It was gifted to Harry Packer by his dad, Asa Packer who was a railroad magnate and eventually a political in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.   Taken: July 13, 2023 (Jim Thorpe, PA)