The first time I visited Antietam Battlefield was in the fall of 2003, and we had little time. Kirk was showing me all the places on a visit back East, but time wasn’t on our side that day.
When we moved East this year, I noted Antietam was less than 10 miles from our home, just a drive over the Potomac River into Maryland from Shepherdstown, WV, but with a hot summer, I didn’t go explore.
We were driving back thru Maryland this weekend, and there was a Mennonite plant nursery I wanted to stop at. On the way back, we passed Antietam, and Kirk pulled in to where you can drive thru the cornfields of the battles, going past Bloody Lane. We crossed over Boonsboro Pike and continued on the historical drive.
We hooked up to what is stop 8 on the map, the end of the road. Traffic was low for a Saturday afternoon. It was still pretty warm, in the low 80s. Kirk explained the battle that took place high on the hill.
After reading plaques and chatting, I headed back across the bridge, then continued the walking path along the creek, heading to a lower parking area. Kirk had driven down to pick me up. As a kid, he often explored these battlefields. His Dad was a Civil War buff.
I’ll be back soon with the boys. And water. There are so many trails to walk in the park, and so much to learn. Im just glad we took the time to stop.
~ Sarah