“We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.” George Washington
Today we adventured around the entirety of Valley Forge National Park. We were both amazed at how close the park is to a bigger city. At first, we were both a bit frustrated at that, but as we began the driving tour, we realized that the park itself seems far away from the hustle and bustle. We did the self-guided driving tour and stopped at just about every site on the tour. The first stop was a quick tour of recreated redoubts and huts that the soldiers lived in. We then drove along to the Washington Memorial Arch before taking a quick detour off of the main driving tour to see Lafayette’s Headquarters at Valley Forge. Unfortunately, this home isn’t open to the public, but we were able to peek inside. The next stop was the holy grail, Washington’s Headquarters at Valley Forge.
We walked with the dogs down by the Valley Forge Train Station down a path through a grassy field and up to the Potts home, that Washington used as his headquarters. Will and I took turns touring the tiny home (so that the other could stand outside with the dogs). The home is quite tiny with two small rooms on the first floor with a removed kitchen on the outside of these rooms, three very small bedrooms on the second floor and an attic space used as bedrooms space for the aides on the third floor. There are just a few period pieces within the home, a clock, and a wooden liquor box, but the park ranger did share with both of us that the majority of the wood in the home was original, and he encouraged us to run our hands along the wooden stair rail just as General George Washington and so many others would have done. Before leaving the headquarters, we shared small drinks of Madeira and a toast. As we made our way back to the truck we decided to go ahead and have our lunches here, with some more of the Madeira. We talked about what it may have been like to live here during the Revolution and wondered if maybe George and Martha might’ve walked along this way and shared Madeira too. Can you tell how much we love George Washington yet?
The final stops on the driving tour included more redoubts, an artillery park full of canons, a statue of General von Steuben, and the Washington Memorial Chapel. Of these last stops, the chapel was our favorite. The stained=glass windows, the architecture, the carvings in the pews, everything about the chapel is just beautiful beyond words.
Our drive back to the campsite was a bit easier than the first day as it didn’t rain quite so much today. We were actually able to cook dinner without getting soaked, even though we did have to eat inside the drop again, but at least it wasn’t pouring. It was still cold, but tomorrow is supposed to be quite a bit warmer. High 60s, I think. We’re off the Brandywine tomorrow and on to another campsite outside of Gettysburg.
Life in the right lane,
Rachel
DMG Exploration 