Spring Break!

March 8, 2010

We wanted to take full advantage of any of Nate's school breaks so we mapped out some areas we wanted to tour while we are out here on the east coast and tried to figure out the best times to hit them. For Nate's Spring Break we decided to head south. First stop: Harpers Ferry in West Virginia.

Harper's Ferry is a historic Civil War site best known for John Brown's raid on the Armory in 1859. John Brown was trying to empower the black slaves to rise up against their owners and arm them with guns to aid their revolt. His attempts failed but his actions were a catalyst for the Civil War. (It's interesting but we kind-of went backwards in time on our trip. We probably should have started with Jamestown, then gone to Williamsburg and ended with Harpers Ferry but oh well...)

We loved touring Harpers Ferry--it was one of our favorite sites. Such a neat town, interesting history, and the local shopkeepers were really sweet (one lady gave Brooklyn this cute little beaded purse for free because she was so cute!).

Nate and Brooklyn in front of the famous engine house turned John Brown's Fort.

General Store. It was pretty chilly so I was glad we had a little furry pink snowsuit for Brooklyn (thanks Melynie!).
Harpers Ferry is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers.
Well preserved town.
Old Civil War era church.
From this rock, Thomas Jefferson called this site overlooking Harpers Ferry and the Shenandoah Valley "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature."

The battlegrounds of the Battle at Harpers Ferry.