Antietam 143rd Anniversary Weekend

In front of the Massachusetts State Monument, Ranger Brian Baracz describes the Union disaster in the West Woods to a group of 130 visitors.

Jenne and I spent Saturday at Antietam National Battlefield for the anniversary hikes. I volunteered to assist with several hikes thrughout the day and work the information when not hiking. Since the anniversary fell on a Saturday this year the park was packed with visitors and the seven hikes were attended by anywhere from 80 to 150 people. Jenne and I participated in three hikes throughout the day and hiked a total of four miles over some very hilly terrain. Hiking the battlefield in the footsteps of the soldiers is really the best way to appreciate what they struggled through and it gives one a much clearer understanding of what occured. The weather was much warmer - upper eighties - than forcast earlier in the week - upper seventies - and the sun was really beating down on us. We drank lots of water and Gatorade. Between each hike we spent time cooling off in the airconditioning of the visitors' center. Jenne would chill out in the lunchroom and I would work the information desk (one of my favorite jobs). Jenne got a good firsthand look at what I do when I volunteer and after she talked with a few of the rangers I think she's been convinced to become a volunteer too. All in all it was a very good day and Jenne and I did get to spend a lot of time together. Though by the end of the day we were pretty well drained and falling to sleep was more like passing out. Sunday was a relaxing day with a big nap right in the middle of it. Man I love naps.

Wounded Lion, Detail of the monument to the 15th Massachusette Volunteer Infantry who fought hard in the disaster of the West Woods.