Author Topic: A trip this spring to see where the country's heros fell (Read 981 times)

bilmac · « **on:** February 15, 2009, 02:01:21 AM »

As much as I love the west, we are a little bit history deprived out this way. My brother in law and I are interested in things military and so we intend to make a trip up the eastern most States this spring, providing gas isn't out of sight.

We plan to meet in Lubbock, Texas the first of April and follow US 84 east. In the Savannah, Ga area we will turn north and look at mostly historical stuff to about the Scranton, Pa area and from there head back west on US 20 if the weather permits around the end of April, otherwise find a more southerly route.

We plan to avoid urban areas and interstate highways as much as possible, and would like to see a lot of the more mountainous areas.

Any help you guys could offer concerning what we can expect weather wise, places we need to see, places that are mot worth the trouble, etc. would be appreciated. We till be traveling in a couple of pickups one with a medium size bumper pull trailer and the other with a pop-up camper.

Don't intend to do any shooting along the way, so the only firearm I intend to take will be a 12 ga. coach gun. I figure this is the gun that will probably cause me the least heartburn traveling through places where the laws may be unkind to the gun owner. We intend to go into the Boston area for instance, because I've always wanted to see the USS Constitution, but I expect pretty drastic gun rules there.

Advice will be appreciated

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2009, 05:21:13 AM »

I hear the new Marine museum is a fine place to spend some time I think its in Quantico and I don't think I could pass thru that part of the USA without stopping in Arlinton.

bilmac · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2009, 05:45:44 AM »

Arlington is on the list

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2009, 06:44:14 AM »

If your going to be in PA don't miss Gettisburg.Be very careful bringing any firearms into the state of Mass. they have absolutely no sense of humor about such things, be it handgun or longgun.

eod20 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2009, 07:03:41 AM »

if you are going to be in this area you have to spend a day in Gettysburg and i would spend at least half a day at the new dday memorial in Virginia it is only a few years old and i hear it is terrific valley forge and if you want to stay off the main highways try the blue ridge parkway it is a beautiful ride then you also have the carlisle barricks war collage and the national military heritage museum and the national civil war museum in Harrisburg, pa

leesecw · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2009, 08:27:53 AM »

Thts alot of history in those areas. Gettysburg is definetely a must. Antietam is about an hour away. Nice drive from gettysburg is to head south on 15 and get off on 77 east and head up into the catoctins. When you come out of the mountains head south on 66 and then south again on 67 to boonsboro. Nice drive thru the countryside. Spotsylvania, fredericksburg, wilderness and chancellorsville are about an hour an 45 minutes south of Gettysburg. Good luck in the DC area. The traffic can be crazy. I just park at one of the metros and ride in on hat. There is so much to see in those areas you are going to have to make more trips. Ive been going that way for years and never tire of it. Have a nice trip!!!

bilmac · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2009, 09:00:16 AM »

So how can I lawfully carry my shotgun in Mass. Will cased in a closet in the camper meet specs.? I suppose ammo must be kept separate also. Thanks for the ideas guys I believe we are on the same wavelength about what we are interested in.

leesecw · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2009, 09:04:20 AM »

Also If you visit gettysburg, its one of the most visited areas in the US. even for campgrounds you are going to make your reservations well in advance. If you by any chance head into South carolina, Fort Sumpter would make a nice stop and also nearby Patriots Point for the tour through the Yorktown and other ships

Cabin4 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2009, 02:03:47 PM »

Gettsburg: Get on one of the guided tours of the battlefield. The tour guides that do that for the park are some of the most knowledgable civil war and gettysburg battle people you will ever meet. They know microscopic details about the days leading up to, through and after the battle. Great!

Valley Forge Park in King of Prussia PA: Washington and his solders wintered there. You can still see the dirt and rock walls they build.....

Daniel Boone Homestead in PA. Very cool place. Preserved and they have tours of the home, buildings and farm.

Forestclimber · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2009, 03:03:24 PM »

The USS Constitution is really something to see. There is a lot to see in Boston. If you get into Virginia, visit Montecello and Williamsburg. The Smithsonian in D.C. is really good, but you could spend months there and not see it all.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2009, 03:15:59 PM »

In Savannah take a trip out to Ft. Pulaski, first fort to fall victim to rifled cannon. Very well preserved. In Virginia, Williamsburg and Yorktown are must sees. I would check the laws in PA, NJ, NY and CT before heading up the Northeast. Once you get up past the Mason Dixon line the laws and ordinances become draconian, and can vary from city to city within the same state. As stated above Massachusetts local and state police do not have any sense of humor when it comes to firearms infractions.

In some areas you cannot have it disassembled, locked in your trunk if you are passing through unless you have a permit to transport.

eod20 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2009, 03:51:42 PM »

here in pa we are very liberal with our gun carry law if it is a long gun go ahead and carry it as you want if a hand gun just do not conceal it in any manner and if you do not have a pa carry permit or one from the 27 other states that we also honor have it out of your reach in the drivers compartment and unloaded the rest of the north east is a differant story New Jersey and New York City might as well be moved to Kalifornia i am a cop and i will not carry there i have even stopped going there get found with a firearm there and you will be making registration plates for a little while. if you do get to the Gettysburg area let me know i live just north in carlisle lots of history around here those southern boys burned some of the towns down around here on their way thru back then every local cemetery has a few graves from that time

powderman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2009, 04:46:53 PM »

We've been to Chicaumaugua, patriots point, and Ft Sumpter, another there too, can't remember the name, but I believe it was Ft Wagner, thats where the movie GLORY was made about. Wonderful history there. POWDERMAN.

bilmac · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2009, 05:33:28 PM »

You guys are telling me to go naked into some of the most lawless part of the country there is? I hear stories of folks getting lost and getting into the wrong neighborhood and fearing for their lives.

This doesn't sound like the USofA it sounds like trips we used to make into Mexico. I was worried the whole time I was there. So what do you all suggest, a baseball bat?

eod20 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2009, 06:11:20 PM »

do what you feel is right if you feel you need to carry so be it just understand that the local pd in alot of the areas you will be traveling thru do not know you or care what your story is if they find you with a firearm before i became a police office i just carried without the permit on the thinking that i would rather take my chances with a jury than a dirt bag on a dark street armed with the proper information you need to make an INFORMED decision as to what YOU will do me i ALWAYS carry and i do not go where i am restricted from exercising that right have not been to the top of the empire state building since 9-11 they do not allow private carry even for police rockafeller center does allow it as does the statue of liberty tour just chose what you value more the right to carry or the sight from a tall building

LONGTOM · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2009, 08:26:33 PM »

If you want to take the scenic route and see some beautiful country then when you come to VA take Rt 11 north.
It runs the entire length from BRISTOL to just above my house in WINCHESTER.
You will come up the middle of the SHENDOAH VALLEY where a large part of the CIVAL WAR was fought.
Places like WYTHVILLE, PULASKI, ROANOAK STATION, HARRISONBURG, NEW MARKET, STRASBURG (the battle of CEDAR CREEK), WINCHESTER (three major battles here and our town changed hands at least 70 times during the war).
Our farm was cleared of trees by 30,000 troops who camped here for three years after the war.
Then you can continue into WEST VA and MARYLAND to SHARPSBURG with a short side trip to HARPERS FERRY WEST VA (where JOHN BROWN was killed).
From there you are only about 30 minutes to an hour from GETTYSBURG to the north or an hour (maybe a little more) to Arlinton and WASHINGTON DC to the east with all the memorials.
I went there last year with my oldest son and was very impressed, and humbled, especially at the VIET NAM MEMORIAL WALL!
It's just a wall with names but it will get to you!!!

When you get to WINCHESTER let me know ahead of time and maybe we could get together for a while.
I would be glad to show you around.

LONGTOM

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2009, 12:56:50 AM »

In my most recent wandelust, which covered most of the NE, I had three in the console. I don't drive poorly and try to stay within the bounds of safe highway speeds---notice, I mean I kept up with the traffic.
I got stopped once in Virginia at 4:30AM by a female trooper---and she should have stopped me--I gave her my CHL wit DL and insurance, though she thought I was drunk. I would have thought I was drunk. She was cool about it all, let me go.
Do your homework on what you want too see and follow you plan. I like off the FWY driving except when i want too jump an area that holds no interest.
You two will have a great time---wish I could go with you boys.
Blessings

bilmac · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:59:40 AM »

Thanks guys, As someone else said, I like the Viet Nam wall - because my name isn't there. You all are giving us lots of good ideas, and the personal history from guys like Long Tom is something special.

I don't intend to carry a gun on me, the brother in law and I are pretty big, and we don't do dumb things. But the idea that I should have to spend better than a month sleeping in strange places in a semi soft side camper without at least a shotgun at hand because some cities are off the wall, galls the #@&^ out of me. Is this America or France.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2009, 03:39:08 AM »

While you are checking out the local laws of your travel route also check out the ordinances concerning pepper spray. If things were getting up close and personall I don't know too many critters, two or four legged that can keep up the fight with a face full of good quality pepper spray. add in a couple of camping implements, say camp ax, machete and or hunting knife you can protect yourself in close quarters.

bilmac · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2009, 09:09:58 AM »

I always thought of pepper spray as something for the ladies, but that may be the best I can do.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2009, 03:10:23 AM »

Pepper spray will work against grizzly bears.....doesnt' matter if the person carrying is male or female. I have personally witnessed a very large individual (6'4" 320lbs) who was bipolar and and off his meds go into a rage against two deputies smaller than me (5'8" 180lbs).

The deputies had tried to escort this guy out of a building when he literally threw both to the ground and jumped on top of them. Their sergeant had been called for backup and arrived just as this commenced. he yelled to everyone "stand clear" and gave the perp a 3 second blast right in the face.

The big guys eyes immediately swelled shut and he started drooling, tearing, and wallowing on the ground in shear burning pain. The fight was out of him immediately. For those of us in the building who witnessed the event, we had to get outside quickly because of the invisible vapors of the pepper spray started circulating in the AC system and was burning our eyes tremendously.

I also have used pepper spray against a pit bull that was hellbent on eating my 16 yr old lab. A face full of the spray put that devildog into the ground rubbing his nose and face in the dirt to try and get relief.

I became a firm believer in the stuff after these two events. It is just part of my line of defensive strategies. Hope I never have to use it again but I am sure it will do its part if I need to.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:24:35 AM »

Here in VA we still have OPEN CARRY law.
Just leave your handgun on the seat or dashboard in PLAIN VEIW. If you get stopped, keep both hands on the steering wheel.
As soon as the officer comes up inform him you have a handgun and most of the time all will go smooth.
It can be loaded.
It MUST be in PLAIN VEIW!!!
NO LONG GUNS can be loaded!
I have been stopped many times with one loaded with no problems.
Not sure about people from out of state.
Please check before hand.
I will try and find out for you.

LONGTOM

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:37:54 AM »

as ya'll pass thru Virginia alot of early American history can be seen
Jamestown
Williamsburg
Petersburg battle fields ( crater )
Richmond Battlefields
Yorktown
Army transport musem
Civil war musem
Marine raider musem
George Washington birth place , Thomas Jefferson birth place
These are but a few .

have a great trip , and Va. is easy on weapons for the most part .

bilmac · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:40:21 AM »

Carry a loaded handgun in the car right next to you!!!! No wonder the Kings and Queens of DC think you are barbarians. We all know how DC is such a nice peaceful garden of Eden that has to protect it's boarders from wild eyed killers like you.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:45:30 AM »

Yes sir, that's me, WILD EYED and armed.
Our patrol cars don't have "TO PROTECT AND SERVE" on their doors.
I will protect myself.

LONGTOM

bilmac · « **Reply #25 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:53:16 AM »

You know that protect line is actually an untruth, as many helpless women who needed protection and thought the police would help them have found out.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #26 on:** February 18, 2009, 04:07:20 AM »

You are correct bilmac.
That's why it is no longer on out cars.
They got tired of hearing that line when they arrived after the fact.
They can't do anything to a perp until he does something then they can intervene, therefore they can't protect.
They can only mop up what's left!

LONGTOM

Oldtimer · « **Reply #27 on:** February 18, 2009, 04:09:54 AM »

I think that the shotgun in the trailer will pass muster in all areas, but also be careful about ammo. In DC, even the presence of ammo in the passenger compartment can get you free lodging and meals. We moved one of the girls and then went to the Smithsonian the next day. I had a cheapo hawkbill knife in my pocket, that I had been using to open boxes and it got confiscated at the security checkpoint. If you have any sort of bag expect to have to go through a search of it each time you go into a building. My wife and girls just carry their drivers licenses and some cash when we go into the District.

The advice about the Metro is spot on. If you get on the Metro at Franconia-Springfield , the Blue line has a stop at Oldtown Alexandria (King Street) and also stops at Arlington National Cemetary. It then goes into DC. You can switch lines easily at many stations. Here is the url for the Metro system:http://www.wmata.com.

The tour trams that you can pick up on the Mall are a good deal. For something really different and fun, try a Duck Boat tour. The guides are knowledgeable and you actually get out on the Potomac. Ours parked us in the water right under the flight path for Reagan. That part was not very historical, but it sure was fun. Also, the Kennedy Center has a free performance each day. There is a free bus to the Kennedy from the nearest Metro stop. If you go into the wrong areas of DC, then trouble will find you fast, but the "tourist" areas are quite safe. We have been out late at night and never felt threatened. Of course, I am not little, and Number One Daughter's boyfriend is about 350, so we don't sweat it.