This was the 21st time that
the two RV Gypsies have taken a Segway tour, this time at Segway Tours
of Gettysburg. They were originally scheduled for June 21st, but after
they drove one hour to get there, the weather report said some severe
thunderstorms were expected. So the two RV Gypsies watched the mandatory
training video and rode through the indoor obstacle training course.
Then they returned the next morning and had beautiful weather.
The two RV Gypsies chose the non-history Segway ride because they
have been to the battlefield before, and just wanted to enjoy the Segway
experience this time. (There is a link to that web page at the bottom
of this page.) However, they have heard wonderful comments about the
audio historical Segway tours as well.
Their guide, Jessie, was very entertaining with non-historical comments
along the way, and she often had the two RV Gypsies laughing. This was
a wonderful way to enjoy the battlefield. Cruising along on a Segway,
feeling the light breeze, and enjoying the scenery. Who could ask for
anything more.
SAY WHAT !!! - Strangely enough, Karen Duquette felt a weird sensation
on the back of her right leg during part of the ride. At first she thought
a fly or something was on her leg, but nothing was there. She did not
mention it to the guide because it was so strange. But she did ask Lee
Duquette to check and he did not see anything on Karen. This happened
more than once on this Segway tour.
Bottled water was provided along with some healthy snacks (see photo
below). In all the other tours that the two RV Gypsies have taken, no
snacks were ever provided. What an extra pleasant touch. Jessie took
pictures of the two RV Gypsies along the way, which were available free
on-line later on the same day. This was only the second time a tour
has offered this. Lee Duquette also took a few photos during scheduled
stops. |
|
If your are new to riding a Segway, here is an opportunity
to experience the Segway in an indoor environment. After training,
you will have the opportunity to ride in the indoor Segway Obstacle
Course for 10 minutes. Since it is indoors, this is a wonderful
way to experience the Segway for the first time or in bad weather.
Unfortunately, Karen Duquette did not photograph the indoor course. |
The two RV Gypsies
took the Outdoor, non-history tour
The two RV Gypsies highly recommend this Segway experience.
|
|
|
|
Below: The Pennsylvania
Monument, dedicated in 1910, is inscribed with the names of
Pennsylvania soldiers who were
at the Battle of Gettysburg. |
Below: 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry
Monument |
|
|
|
Below: Each Segway is named
after a horse. Karen Duquette's Segway was named "Hero".
So while on the Segway tour, she is pointing at the statue of Hero.
This is actually known as Lieutenant-General James Longstreet Equestrian
Statue.
(Close-up photos of the statue is below the photo of Karen on the Segway
known as "Hero") |
|
|
|
Below: The monument to the
78th and 102nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiments is southeast of
Gettysburg on Slocum Avenue. It was dedicated by the State of New York
in 1888.
The 78th New York was commanded at the Battle of Gettysburg by Lieutenant
Colonel Herbert Von Hammerstein. It brought 198 men to the field, losing
6 killed, 21 wounded and 3 missing.
The 102nd New York was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel James C.
Lane. He was wounded on July 2, and Captain Lewis R. Stegman took command.
The 102nd brought 248 men to the field, losing 4 killed, 17 wounded
and 8 missing.
The regiments fought side by side throughout the war and were consolidated
into one unit in July of 1864 due to casualties. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below: The State of Maryland
monument is a bronze statue on a granite base. The statue is by Lawrence
M. Ludke, and is of two wounded Marylanders, one Union and one Confederate,
helping each other on the battlefield. It was dedicated on November
13, 1994. The back of the base of the monument has a bronze tablet listing
the Maryland commands of both armies that fought at Gettysburg. |
|
|
Below: The Virginia
Monument is a Battle of Gettysburg memorial to the commonwealth's
"Sons at Gettysburg" (Battlefield) with a bronze statue of Robert E.
Lee on his horse Traveller and a "bronze group of figures representing
the Artillery, Infantry, and Cavalry of the Confederate Army".
The equestrian statue is atop a granite pedestal and the group of six
standing figures is on a sculptured bronze base with the figures facing
the Field of Pickett's Charge and the equestrian statue of Union General
George G. Meade on Cemetery Ridge. |
|
|
Below: The North Carolina
Monument is a North Carolina memorial of the American Civil
War commemorating the 32 Carolina regiments in action at the Battle
of Gettysburg. The monument is a public artwork by American sculptor
Gutzon Borglum located on Seminary Ridge, West Confederate Avenue.
Surrounded by dogwood trees (the North Carolina state tree), the monument
features figures of North Carolina infantrymen advancing during Pickett's
Charge, where fifteen infantry regiments from North Carolina participated
and suffered heavy casualties. One man kneels injured on the ground,
pointing towards the enemy with his proper left hand while two men wield
guns and look forward. A fourth man holds a flag in both hands as he
glances forward. The sculpture is signed "Gutzon Borglum 1929 (illegible)
AKUNST FDY NYC". The back of the base is inscribed: "NORTH CAROLINA". |
|
|
|
|
|
Below: Little Round Top is
about two miles south of town on the south side of the Gettysburg battlefield.
It was one of the key positions in the Union line during the Battle
of Gettysburg and was the scene of intense fighting on July 2nd. Today
it is covered with monuments commemorating the men who fought there
and is one of the most popular sites at Gettysburg National Battlefield
Park.
The summit of Little Round Top stands at 650 feet above sea level,
making it the second highest hill on the battlefield. (Big Round Top
is 780 feet, Oak Hill just a little lower at 640 feet, and Culp's Hill
at 630 feet.)
The summit of the hill is about 60 feet above the saddle that connects
with Big Round Top to the south, about 150 feet above Plum Run to the
west and about 90 feet higher than the highest parts of the Devil's
Den and Houck's Ridge on the other side of Plum Run's valley, known
as the Valley of Death. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below: Stevens Battery, 5th Maine Artillery
Monument |
Below: A smooth pathway for the Segways |
|
|
Below: Unity Park and a young drummer
boy statue |
Below: The Ice Cream store |
|
|