Single Dad at Harper's Ferry

I was doing the single parent thing again today, and didn't quite know what I should do with the boys for the day. I had thought of some ambitious plans like Hershey's Park or King's Dominion, but those are three-plus hours away, cost something like $50 per ticket, and I didn't feel like that much adventure. Finally, I decided to take the boys up to Harper's Ferry, which is close and we always enjoy it. Plus, the boys would be able to get their new National Park Passports stamped as well!

We strolled around the town, going in and out of every shop, exhibit and museum. The boys actually seemed interested and had quite the attention span today. Luke even remarked that the slave exhibit was his favorite. Honestly, I'm pretty impressed. I think maybe some of the history might have sunk in a little.

We frolicked in the river a bit--the weather was extremely nice--and then we headed up to the Secret Six Tavern for lunch. The tavern is named for the six secret financiers and conspirators of the raid of John Brown. John Brown led a bloody, though failed, revolt to free the slaves 18 months before the start of the Civil War. Some argue that he put in motion the building sentiment against slavery and tipped the scale toward the war.

Lunch was good--nothing much--just fish and chips and a French dip sandwich. The big treat was the wopping ice cream cone afterwards at the Swiss Miss. Yum!

The rest of the day, we just spent watching trains go by on the bridge and climbing the hill to St. Peter's Catholic Church and Jefferson Rock overlooking the river valley.

On our way back home, we stopped by a wayside market to buy two pounds of fresh shrimp, and at another farmer's roadside market to buy a half dozen ears of corn and four fresh peaches. All this we cooked up for dinner, along with some buttered noodles. Man, the boys never had it so good!

Here are a few of the photos from the day. I hope you enjoy them.