Gettysburg Biker Buds

In mid-April, I drove up to Gettysburg to meet Bruce, Blake, and Bruce's friend Jimmy for the weekend. They'd driven down to Gettysburg as part of their fall motorcycle trip, and I just went to hang out after a week of teaching. We stayed at a little motel run by a guy who actually used to work on the Mackinaw Coast Guard ship, and I think was just thrilled to have people to talk to him. We all got in Friday night, explored the battlefield on Saturday (and Jack and Ashley had driven up to join us for that part of the weekend), and all left on Sunday. It was a bit whirlwind, but still lots of fun. Riding on their bikes definitely made me want one!

photos: a very satisfactory meal after the long drive to Gettysburg, complete with improvised poutine; Bruce and Blake after dinner; a memorial to Mississippi soldiers on Seminary Ridge; Bruce taking photos of the view across the Pickett's Charge battlefield; and Bruce and me on his bike.





photos: Jack by the memorial to Longstreet, complete with some eerie resemblance; Little Round Top from Devil's Den; a tree on top of Devil's Den; Jimmy, Blake, and Bruce taking a break and taking in the view; and Blake and Bruce debating historical nuances.





photos: The view from Little Round Top; the grave of Gen. Armistead on Cemetery Ridge; Jimmy and Blake in front of Bruce and Blake's bikes; a Kilwin's shop, complete with a version of my favorite kind of ice cream -- I was super excited!; and ridiculous souveniers.





photos: How we spent the last evening; Bruce in front of one of his favorite Gettysburg businesses; Blake and Bruce gearing up for the rainy ride home around 6am; and Jack trying to pretend that he's cute and harmless.