The Gettysburg Pennsylvania Blog

If you’re a connoisseur of culture, and particularly Latin American culture, then you might have an interest in El Serrano, a Lancaster Pennsylvania restaurant. Located on Columbia Avenue in Lancaster, the restaurant features Peruvian architecture with elegance and style. And the menu isn’t bad either.

Besides the usual appetizers and salads, El Serrano also featurs a vegetarian menu. But if you don’t like eating sans meat then you’ll still love the entree menu items. This is traditional Latin American cuisine - fajitas, enchiladas, etc. - and is every bit of genuine Latin tasteful. And the atmosphere is simply glorious.

Designed by the owner, Manuel Torres, El Serrano features material imported from his home country, Peru. Hand-carved mahogany furniture create an exotic decor that should satisfy world travelers as well as domestic homebodies (but I’m guessing if you’re visiting Gettysburg and the surrounding area that you at least enjoy a vacation once in a while). Why not spend one meal of it in Latin America, right in the heart of Amish country?

If you’re planning a visit to Gettysburg Pennsylvania in February 2009, keep in mind two local museums as must sees: Shriver House Museum and David Wills House.

The Shriver House Museum tells the story of civilians during the Battle of Gettysburg. The house was built just before the war started and sat vacant, except for several families of wild cats, until 1996 when the house was rebuilt and research went underway to discover the story of this old structure. You’ll definitely want to visit this museum on Friday and Saturday, February 13 and 14. The Shriver House Museum will host a Restoration Tour on both dates at 7 p.m.

Just a few blocks away, in downtown Gettysburg, David Wills House will host its grand opening on February 12, 2009 in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

David Wills invited Abraham Lincoln to stay at his house when the president came to Gettysburg to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln finished writing his speech in the David Wills House guest bedroom. You can learn more about that story by visiting the David Wills House and taking the grand opening tour on February 12.

Public safety is a major concern no matter where you go, but in Adams County we take it seriously. A York man was charged with homicide by vehicle for running over a police officer on a motorcycle. Investigators determined that the motorists, Earl Matthew Wright, or York, had been driving too fast for road conditions and that including passing an official parade of emergency vehicles with their lights flashing.

The incident took place on Sept. 14 on Pa. 234 in Tyrone Township.

This ought to be a lesson to motorists everywhere. Slow down. If you are a visitor from out of town, be sure to slow down on the roads and especially with driving on rural roads. Enjoy the views, but don’t take unnecessary risks. Be cognizant of other drivers and respectful of public safety. You’d expect the same from us if we were in your neighborhood. Wouldn’t you?

If you like to hunt then Adams County Pennsylvania is one of the best places in the world. The number of whitetail deer in this area is incredible. And I mean they are huge too. I’ve seen 16-point bucks flipping me the bird standing in the middle of the highway. The drive from Harrisburg to Gettysburg along Hwy. 15 is just too long to have to dodge a mountain of wildlife like that!

Trust me, though, I’d rather shoot one than have a head on collision with one.

State hunting grounds 249 is located in Adams County, Pa. And we’re talking about thousands of acres of pure hunting grounds too. The only thing we ask is that you don’t shoot our lawyers.

As a pro blogger, I’m always interested in discovering new and interesting blogs. I love all things unique and every day it’s easy to find something a little bit different and out of the ordinary online. So I do.

Today I discovered a cool blog based on the concept of randomly pinpointing latitude and longitude coordinates and seeing what historical landmarks may be nearby. The blogger behind this rather quirky, unique concept just two days ago landed in York Springs, Pennsylvania. And what did he find?

Bermudian Creek and the red bridge that crosses over it near York Springs.

I must say, this is one of the most interesting blogs I’ve seen in awhile. You’ll have to see it for yourself to see what his method is. His About Page explains pretty well what he does and why he does it (but it’s rather long). In the end, however, the enterprising gent wasn’t all that impressed with York Springs. I have no clue why. My wife and I love living out here away from civilization.

How many times have you been traveling and you’ve needed to bug a stranger to take that fabulous shot of you and your family beside the Eiffel Tower or on the crest of Little Rount Top? Probably hundreds, right?

Well, no longer. You can take the picture yourself with the XShot Camera Extender, an interesting device much like a tripod or camera stand except that you hold it in your hand and snap the photo yourself while being in the photo at the same time. Sound impossible? Not withe XShot.

Use it with your digital camera or a video recorder anywhere in the world. On your next trip to Gettysburg Pennsylvania, try using the XShot 2.0 Camera Extender to take a photo or video yourself near your favorite monuments, standing beside one of the artillery pieces on the battlefield, or while climbing the stairs of one of the towers. It only weighs 5 ounces and extends out to 37 inches. Perfect for taking pictures while you’re in them!

If you don’t believe this is a great product, just take a look at this video of CNN correspondent Richard Guest showcasing the XShot 2.0 Camera Extender and you can try it out yourself on your next trip to Gettysburg.

A World War II Veterans group in Gettysburg started with 172 members in 1974. They are now down to 20 and met over the weekend for their annual get-together. As history moves on, so too will those who made it. The Gettysburg Pennsylvania blog honors veterans who served in World War II and other wars. I wish our national leaders would realize that most wars aren’t necessary. World War II may have been the last war that was absolutely necessary from a U.S. standpoint. Not that others wouldn’t have been, but if we are truly honor those who serve in uniform then we need to elect leaders who know how to exercise wisdom and good judgment. God bless the veterans of World War II.

The slopes opened at 8 a.m. this morning on Liberty Mountain, Adams County’s own ski resort. LIberty Mountain is located in Carroll Valley Resort, which is just 8 miles southwest of Gettysburg near the Catoctin Mountains. The skiing here depends on how cold it gets and when. This year we were lucky enough to get the cold sooner rather than later and area residents and visitors are the benefactors as ski season opens sooner than it has in a while.

Ski Liberty is offering great rates through December 23 for early bird skiiers. If you are from out of town and would like to ski at Liberty Mountain then now is the optimal time.

Liberty Mountain has 16 ski trails from beginner level to extremely difficult and also features a free style course and a family fun zone. In addition to skiing there is snow tubing, snowboarding, and ski lessons available on the mountain. Visitors to the mountain will also be glad to know there is lodging and a tavern on premises.

The folks runing Gettysburg’s ski resort have the snow machines blowing as we speak. Feel free to call the snow phone at 717-642-9000 for more information.

What are The Tears of Gettysburg? A new movie? Nope. A historic fiction novel? Not even close. The actual tears of ghosts that roam around the historic battlefield? Unh-uh.

The Tears of Gettysburg the name of a wine that is produced right here in Adams County Pennsylvania.

The Adams County Winery has won nine awards for this locally grown, fermented, and produced fine wine. The winerly is located in Orrtanna, but the wine is sold at shops in Gettysburg and Carlisle. Before you leave the Gettysburg area, be sure to check out Tears of Gettysburg. If you like sweet wine then you’ll love this two-grape blend.

Gettysburg borough leaders are kicking around a plan to add a bike and pedestrian loop in Gettysburg. The plan allegedly would reduce traffic and increase health among area residents and visitors. Is it a good idea?

Well, likely it would cost locals some money. But if the borough leaders could sell it as another activity for visitors and add a bike tour of the borough or allow bikers a way to come in and use it without disrupting local bikers enjoying the trail then perhaps it would have more value.