Harper's Ferry

We've heard a lot of people talk about Harper's Ferry since we got here, so after we went to Manassas Battlefield we came to check it out.  It's actually in West Virginia, and in the mountains, so there's a lot of outdoors fun to be had here.  We'll have to come back and bring our tents and bikes next summer.  This time, we walked through the town and saw some of the historical landmarks.

Harper's Ferry is historically significant because just before the Civil War broke out, John Brown (an abolitionist) led a raid on the armory at Harper's Ferry.  It was unsuccessful, but was the catalyst that fueled the fire for both sides of the abolitionist movement, and eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil War.

It is also significant because Lewis & Clark bought supplies from this town before their expedition to the west.

Old buildings in downtown Harper's Ferry

The girls in an old covered wagon

Harper's Ferry is located where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, and also right near where West Virginia, Virgina, and Maryland meet.  Having lived in Texas, it's so weird to think that we drove in and out of 3 states that day, and weren't even in the car very much!

Erin and my Dad

Isaac doesn't get enough attention in this blog when I write about our outings, but he's always there!  He does great on sight seeing excursions - we load up on lots of treats and books, and he's a happy camper!

We walked across this footbridge over the Potomac River.  This is actually a section of the Appalachian Trail.

My Mom has started buying children's books when she travels.  This is an ABC book she bought with the girls at Harper's Ferry

Mike and the kids are standing on Jefferson Rock.  Thomas Jefferson stood on this rock and wrote about the beautiful landscape that can be seen from here.  He described it as, "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature."  He went on to write that, "this scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic."  It really was beautiful.

Mike and Isaac at Jefferson Rock

Me at Jefferson Rock

View from Jefferson Rock at Harper's Ferry

My Dad and the girls

Erin loves to read maps!

Mike and I at an old wagon, with the railroad behind us