All Aboard for the Altoona Railroaders Museum & Horseshoe Curve

All Aboard!  Whether you are a train enthusiast, history buff, or adore antiques, the Altoona Railroaders Museum is the place to be.  We arrive at the Railroaders Museum and purchase a combo ticket (a wristband) for the Museum and Horseshoe Curve.            

Depending on your interest in the exhibits, and if you watch one or both of the films (19 and 21 minutes long), the average time spent at the Railroaders Museum Visitor Center is about 1.5 hours.  We were here longer because my hubby (a train enthusiast) had a lengthy conversation with the museum’s Curator. 

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

From the triumphant first flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk to the tragedy of the Johnstown Flood, our national historic sites honor the lives and times of those who came before us.    Today, we are visiting Johnstown, Pennsylvania (USA).   It is located 43 miles west-southwest of Altoona and 67 miles east of Pittsburgh.

According to Wikipedia, "The Johnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates the 2,209 people who died in the Johnstown Flood on May 31, 1889, caused by a break in the South Fork Dam, an earthen structure.  It unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water creating a wave of destruction that devastated Johnstown, PA.  The memorial preserves the remains of the dam and portions of the former Lake Conemaugh bed.  This 164-acre site was established as a National Memorial on August 31, 1964”.   It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. 

We begin at the Visitor Center.  I strongly recommend seeing the 35 minute film about the flood.  It is a very well done documentary and worth the little extra time to watch it.

Visitor Center

A light rain is falling when we begin our driving tour of this historic site.  It’s appropriate weather because heavy rain (and poor dam site maintenance) is what caused this flood.  

Valley Forge NHP - American Revolutionary War Site

Valley Forge National Historic Park is a 3,500 acre park created to tell the story of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-78.  Valley Forge had a battle but it wasn’t against the British.  It was a battle for survival (about 2,000 soldiers died during that winter from cold and disease).   It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and was established as a National Historic Park on July 4, 1976. 

BACKGROUND:  “On December 19, 1777, the Continental Army consisting of 12,000 troops marched into Valley Forge.  For the next six months, the divided groups of militiamen would band together to form a true army, one capable of taking the fight to the British.”  

The 10 mile self-guided driving tour features 9 main stops.  Click on the link at the bottom of this post to print a map of the park/driving tour (Plan Your Visit).  An 8.7-mile paved multi-use trail parallels most of the driving tour route.  

NPS Park Map/Driving Tour

Our visit to Valley Forge NHP begins in mid-afternoon.  The first thing we do is go to the Visitor Center’s theater (in a separate building) and watch the 18-minute movie about Valley Forge. The main building of the Visitor Center includes exhibits and a large gift shop. 

The Visitor Center is Stop 1 on the 10-mile Encampment Tour Route.  It’s about 4:15 p.m. when we begin our driving tour of the park.  The skies are gray and a light rain is falling ... at least it isn't snowing or freezing cold like it was when George Washington was here.

Spend a While in Ohiopyle State Park (PA)

When my Hubby suggested we visit the 20,000-acre Ohiopyle State Park, I wasn't too excited ... at first.   Once we got there I enjoyed hiking some of the 75 miles of trails and seeing the waterfalls.  Of course, there are other things to see and do as well (mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding - not all trails are suitable for each activity).  It also includes over 14 miles of the Youghiogheny (pronounced yawki-gay-nee) River Gorge great for whitewater rafting.  Unfortunately, the whitewater rafting trip will have to wait for another visit.  

Park Map

The name Ohiopyle is believed to come from a Native American Indian word "ohiopehhla" meaning “white frothy water”.

Our spring visit to Ohiopyle State Park begins in mid-afternoon with a stop at the Visitor Center.  There are exhibits on the lower level as well as a glass-enclosed area for viewing the nearby waterfall.

Visitor Center

Lower Level Exhibits

View of Falls from Visitor Center's Lower Level

In addition to seeing Ohiopyle Falls (which is right next to the Visitor Center), the staff recommends going to the scenic Baughman Rock Overlook and Cucumber Falls.  The Park has several waterfalls.  Two of them are easy to see (Ohiopyle Falls and Cucumber Falls).  The other waterfalls require some hiking.  Since our time here is limited, the other waterfalls will have to wait for a future trip.  

From the Visitor Center’s lower level, I see a few kayakers on the river a short distance from the base of the falls.  Under certain conditions, kayakers are allowed to “shoot the falls”.  It’s not on my “to do” list but there are some adventurers who enjoy the ride. 

Kayakers on the Yough River

Gettysburg National Military Park (U.S. Civil War Site)

While we are visiting Pennsylvania, we had to stop in Gettysburg and tour the Park.  In 1895, the federally protected Gettysburg Battlefield was designated a National Park.  It was established for the purpose of protecting and interpreting the landscape of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg.  In 1966, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

From July 1-3, 1863 over 160,000 men fought at the Battle of Gettysburg.  It was the bloodiest single battle of the American Civil War.  At the end of the three-day battle, about 50,000 men (and one woman) were killed, wounded, or missing.  Wait a minute - a woman was killed during the battle? 

Monocacy National Battlefield (U.S Civil War Site)

My Hubby and I enjoy visiting historical sites.  So, during one of our visits to the eastern United States, we toured several battlefields - including the Monocacy National Battlefield.

Monocacy National Battlefield is a 1,500+ acre park that was established on October 21, 1976.  The Battle of Monocacy was fought on July 9, 1864.  It is also referred to as "The Battle That Saved Washington," and was one of the last battles the Confederates would carry out in Union territory.   It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark on November 8, 1973.

Entrance Sign

NPS Map

I would allow 1-2 hours to see this Park.   Starting at the Visitor Center is a good way to begin a visit to the Battlefield.  The main floor features the flags from the States that fought in this battle as well as a book store.  We go to the second floor where there are exhibits and an electronic map describing the events of the day.  There are restrooms at the Visitor Center too.

Visitor Center

State Flags

2nd Floor - Electronic Map of the Battle

The Park has six hiking trails.  They are located at the Visitor Center as well as the Worthington Farm (stop 3), the Thomas House (stop 4), and Gambrill Mill (stop 5). You might consider allowing a little extra time to hike some of thesw trails.

Now that we know a little about the battle, it's time to begin the auto tour ...

Antietam National Battlefield (U.S. Civil War Site)

The Antietam National Battlefield is a 3,230-acre Park that was established on August 30, 1890 to preserve the battlefield site and honor those who fought here.  This Battlefield was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.

On September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam (aka Battle of Sharpsburg) was the first battle of the Civil War to be fought on Union ground. The 12 hours of fierce fighting resulted in more than 23,000 casualties (killed, wounded, or missing) making it one of the bloodiest single-day battles in the history of this nation. 

So, why is this battle known by two different names?