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The Gettysburg Files GETTYSBURG SUMMARY When I set out on this trip, I did not know what to expect. I knew what I hoped for; I hoped that I would get a few good pictures for the website, I hoped I would have an interesting experience or two and I hoped I would have some fun. I needed that badly. However, I never imagined that I would have the experience I did. It was way more than I could have hoped for, more than I would have expected had I written the script myself. That trip changed me in a number of ways. I picked up a lot of confidence in my own abilities in Gettysburg. After an initial first blast concerning the world of photography, I rarely get good pictures anymore. I found myself doubting what my senses were telling me. However, getting an orb whenever I had a “feeling” reaffirmed for me that I do indeed still have that sense, whatever you want to call it. And on top of all that, my appreciation for the sacrifices of others has grown immeasurably. The whole sordid Civil War now means something very important and deep to me. It touched me in a way I never expected. I did not know it at the time, but the ghosts of Gettysburg reached out to us very early in our trip, or so it would seem. In the first chapter of this adventure, I alluded to an incident. It involved a gas station. It was only after I was back home and discussing the trip with Pat that she made me realize that something odd may have happened, something totally bizarre, even by my bizarre standards. When we arrived in Gettysburg, Amy pulled over for gas. We watched the old man fill the tank. He took her money and off we went. The next night, en route to the battlefield, we ran out of gas. It was something of a miracle that we did not get stuck on the battlefield itself. (Although that might have been interesting.) Anyway, Amy also found the neatly folder twenty dollar bill. Suppose, Pat suggested, that the gas station attendant did not exist? Suppose he was a ghost himself? That would explain the empty gas tank and the money found. Maybe the gas station itself did not exist? I know how bizarre this sounds but we are all at a loss for an explanation for this whole mystery. It does make sense. Of course, if it was a phantom gas station attendant, the ghost made $1.50 out of the deal. Perhaps it went to taxes. With the taxation system in this country, they probably tax phantom gas too. Looking back on it, I have to admit that the man looked a little odd, as if he was from another time. I did mention that to Amy at the time but I wrote it off as nothing more than him just being a little different, possibly from being raised in the country. There just seemed to be something different about the way he looked, the look in his eyes. I wish I had thought more about it at the time. However, I never even thought there was anything weird about it and we were in a rush to get our adventure underway. When we go back to Gettysburg, and we will, we will look for that gas station and also for the attendant. I would not be surprised to find out that neither have been there for decades. Were the spirits of Gettysburg welcoming us? I am inclined to believe so, even as preposterous as that sounds. If so, score one for them. They obviously have a sense of humor and a touch of mischievousness as well. We could have been stranded somewhere. Of course, they might have figured that our “new fangled automobiles” were designed to prevent that from happening. All I can say is thank God Amy was driving. Had it been me, we would have been stuck on the battlefield, at least until a Park Ranger came and helped us. Of course, we probably would have gotten a ticket for our trouble too. The adventure was worth it in so many ways. The horror of what happened there will always be with me. They joy that we experienced will also be there forever. It is ironic that we could have so much fun in a place where there was so much death and suffering. I feel a little guilty about that. The experiences were wild, the people were phenomenal, especially the Hoovers. The food was great, the atmosphere was great and so were the ghosts. They seemed to do their best to help us and we really appreciate that. The experiences and the photographs were beyond all my expectations. We will never forget the dead and we will always pray for them. It was a truly wonderful experience and I know that I will go back there many more times in the future, God willing, of course. He has been good to me, undeservedly so at times and I am sure I will get back there soon. (I’d go right now if I could!) Sometimes it is good to say goodbye to the real world, at least for a short time anyway. There is so much you can do there; there is so much to see. The museums, the cemetery, the battlefield. The Eisenhower Farm and the ghosts, if they will let you see them. No, they won’t hurt you although they may ask for your help. (And one did but that is a whole other story.) I now understand why so many paranormal researchers go there. I now understand why they want to. Yes, I am still a serious caseworker. Yes, I will work hauntings, see suffering and the evil that often accompanies the bad ones. That is what I am; that is what I do and I cannot even begin to explain it. But I will also enjoy the world of the paranormal too. I will take more “haunted” vacations and if that makes me appear to be a ghost-hunting amateur, feel free to label me as such. You know what? There is nothing wrong with that. The tough cases will be there and hopefully, so will I. Like I said, it is what I am and what I do. But I have learned just how much fun the world of the paranormal is when you give it half a chance. I have also learned how much fun it is to learn about history. The catch phrases for my website are to: Think, Study, Learn, Grow. I think I accomplished all that and much more on my trip to Gettysburg. I hope you enjoyed the trip and I hope you try it yourself too. I would love to hear your stories. |
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