january 2.2009
Jarom’s brother Justin, and his wife Laural and son Carden came down New Year’s Eve, a couple hours after we returned home from Philadelphia, to spend a few days with us. They are the professional “game” couple, they love to play games, so we were excited for the fun they would bring.

We decided to do a little local site seeing after New Year’s Day, so we went to Harper’s Ferry and Antietam Battlefield. Despite the bitter cold, and having more hot cocoa, it was very enjoyable.

Harper’s Ferry is where John Brown started the abolition movement. He was tried at our Court House in Charles Town for treason, and then hung down the road from there. His actions are what caught the attention of President Lincoln.

We then headed over to Antietam, the bloodiest battle in America that only lasted a day. I think 23,000 men were killed, in only a days time. I hope I’m getting my facts right, but that’s what I remember. It was a civil war battle, and being on the hills of where the battle was fought, one could see advantage and disadvantage to the layout of the land. Remarkable, and a great piece of history to learn and teach about.