On the Highway with Barry – Mechanicsburg

Day 1

I’ve acquired a plan. I’m flying to Baltimore, then driving to Mechanicsburg. On the best way, there’s this little city referred to as Gettysburg. You will have heard of it. I’ve wished to return right here for many of my grownup life and it’s lastly going to occur. I acquired an earlier-than-normal flight so I may do it. I even took, in my thoughts at the least, a “lesser” airline so I may have a direct flight. I didn’t verify a bag, so I even sacrificed having my pocket knife for this! However then there was a delay. Then one other. Then one other. Then one other. It’s a very good factor I took my blood stress drugs this morning. They lastly get a airplane there, the entire world strains as much as board on the identical time and so they announce that the captain has “timed out”. This implies they’ve to switch the captain and get this chook within the sky earlier than the crew instances out as nicely. Will it occur? Provided that my luck continues because it has all morning.

I’m lastly on the airplane and within the air and I’ve no e-book. In all probability the one time I’ve been on an airplane with out one. By no means once more. However I do have an audiobook downloaded and, on the danger of burning my battery down, I take heed to it as an alternative. The “lesser” airline marketed that I may cost my cellphone from my seat. Additionally they promised a cushty seat however I’m nonetheless ready for that half too.

So, the historical past nerd that I’m, I’m listening to a 3-volume collection on the Civil Battle written by one among my favourite historical past authors, Shelby Foote. I’ve timed it so I could possibly be listening to the Gettysburg marketing campaign whereas I’m really visiting Gettysburg. I do know. I do know. It’s simply who I’m. I’ve discovered to dwell with it. Anyway, I’ve to be very cautious as to how a lot I pay attention in order to not spoil my good plan. I pay attention so far as I dare, then change to a film I’ve been eager to see referred to as The Iron Claw. It’s a real story about Fritz Von Erich and his sons who have been all skilled wrestlers from Texas. I nearly completed it after we began our strategy to Baltimore.

I’m sitting on the right aspect of the airplane to view the remnants of the Francis Scott Key bridge, the one which was struck by the barge a bit of bit in the past and collapsed. Nonetheless, I’m not in my favourite window seat and the senseless teenager who’s sitting there may be clueless about historical past or present occasions and leaves his window shade down.  His dad and mom (most likely bored with me trying over their shoulders) lastly inspired him to open his window and take a look at what was left of the bridge. Very sobering website.

I handed by the Gettysburg exit at midnight. Life is pointless. I’ve misplaced my sense of function. I’ve misplaced my sense of style and odor. I’ll greater than possible push by this and eat once more. In all probability…

Day 2

So, I’m right here to see Sandy, who had some O&M from the state a couple of years in the past however wished extra as a result of she’s angling for a information dog and desires to be as sharp as she might be earlier than she applies. She’s lived right here in Mechanicsburg for 53 years, has been married to Ralph for 53 years, and so they’ve lived in the identical home for 53 years. All that to say, she is aware of her space fairly nicely.

And he or she nonetheless has some useable imaginative and prescient so she will get round fairly nicely. Her greatest subject and that is VERY frequent for these people who’ve misplaced imaginative and prescient progressively as they age, is that she holds her head down an excessive amount of. She makes use of her imaginative and prescient to search out out about impediments straight below her toes. For those who’ve learn this weblog earlier than (Mother), you’ve heard me preach about how essential it’s to carry your head up, even in the event you don’t have any imaginative and prescient in any respect. So, she’s gonna hear that from me quite a bit this week. A overwhelming majority of individuals with whom I’ve labored have heard it too, so Sandy’s in good firm.

I’m going to a late lunch on the #1 spot on my completely researched where-to-eat-list, Dad’s Storage and Grill. Proper on the nook of Predominant and Walnut, they cook dinner a very nice burger and crispy fries. I’ve a tough time turning down a burger with a fried egg on it. And bacon? C’mon man! I’m going again to Sandy’s for yet one more lesson this afternoon, principally as a result of I ate too most of the fries. Not all of them thoughts you. Which may be a primary for me. So we get completed for the day and there’s nonetheless loads of gentle left for the day, so I head south down the Chambersburg Pike (like all good southerner ought to) to the little hamlet of (insert dramatic music right here) Gettysburg!

I’m going to do my finest to not go on and on about this. However that is for me, proper up there with going to a baseball recreation or watching my son swim. I’ve learn all of the books, seen all the flicks and listened to all of the podcasts, however being right here is totally different.

I moved across the battlefield chronologically, following the times of the particular battle. I took quite a lot of photos and texted my brother each one with an replace on the place I used to be. He MAY be a much bigger historical past nerd than me, however it’d be a detailed race. Nonetheless, he’s by no means been right here and could be very jealous of me proper now. I’d ship him a photograph and he’d reply with details, most of which I didn’t know.

So many well-known locations: Seminary Ridge, Cemetery Ridge, the wheat discipline, Satan’s Den, Little Spherical High, the (bloody) Angle, the clump of timber, the railroad minimize and the peach orchard. I walked all of them. I learn all of the indicators I may. However I’ll want extra time. The solar went down on me as I stood the place the Accomplice military stood on the third day of battle, ready to make what’s turn into often known as Pickett’s Cost. Dangerous day for them, however a very, actually good day for me.

Day 3

I get again over to Sandy’s and we head out for one more tour of her common routes. This morning, we went to 2 pharmacies, an ice cream store, her grocery retailer and the native Dairy Queen. Most of what we mentioned, O&M-wise, was eerily much like yesterday: “Maintain your head up, Sandy.” “Hold the cane shifting on a regular basis, Sandy.” Nonetheless, it was lower than yesterday. Truthfully, that is the best way it really works. Individuals who wish to get higher take course and apply it to their strategies and go on from there. Sandy actually desires to enhance her strategies and is keen to do the little issues which, as everyone knows, add as much as massive issues.

I had cellphone calls and e-mails to return, so lunch was boring leftovers from the charcuterie tray I bought on my manner again to the lodge final evening. I ate Chick-fil-A tonight and used DoorDash to do it as a result of the Cubs have been on cable TV. That doesn’t occur typically, so I made a decision to remain in.

A fortuitous accident will happen the following day. I’m in Mechanicsburg educating O&M. Simply throughout the Susquehanna River to the northeast of me is Harrisburg the place my pal and colleague, Tommy Strasz, goes to be presenting at knowledgeable convention. Tommy is one other one of many unbelievable on-campus O&M staff members at Chief. I’m normally the Lone Ranger out right here on the street, so it is going to be good to have a pal shut by.

We’re going to take a street journey tomorrow afternoon to a bit of hamlet to the south. You will have heard of it: Gettysburg! Sure, I’m going once more, however this time, I’m taking a pal who could or could not take pleasure in it as a lot as I do. I can’t wait to share this with him!

Day 4

As an added shock, I acquired to see Tommy current and I acquired to see Jeanine Penzone, former O&M intern at Chief, who can be attending the convention. I additionally acquired to see two of my mates and mentors within the enterprise: George Zimmerman, who ran the imaginative and prescient program on the College of Pittsburgh, and Lukas Frank, who was a Subject Rep for the Seeing Eye. George is on the town to current an award to a former pupil and Lukas is presenting on the convention. It’s so nice to see them each. They’re each formally retired, and our enterprise is lesser due to it. Fortunately, they’re nonetheless concerned in a technique or one other.

Tommy did an excellent job along with his presentation, and I made a decision that it will be unhealthy for him and me to current collectively as a result of he would make me appear like a schmuck. He’s so passionate, animated and educated. Wonderful work. After Tommy completed shining, he and I headed off to do one thing I’m good at speaking about historical past!

Tommy’s no slouch in the case of historical past both, so we now have an absolute blast at Gettysburg. Sure, I got here right here on Monday. No, I don’t care. Sure, I may have come right here every single day and discovered one thing else. Tommy and I stayed on the battlefield till darkness ran us off, and then we went searching for dinner.

However earlier than that, I used to be privileged to be a visitor reader in Tommy’s son’s bedtime story. He’s studying Lord of the Rings to them, and I acquired to learn the a part of Aragorn tonight. Tommy’s character was one of many riders of the Mark, I overlook which one, however Tommy learn in a incredible Scottish accent. I seemed like Dave Chappell making an attempt to mimic a white man. Regardless, I used to be honored to be part of the ceremony.

We ate at an Irish pub and had Irish fare: Rashers and mashed potatoes for Tommy, Shepherd’s Pie for me. We additionally solved a lot of the world’s issues over dinner. You’re welcome.

Day 5

At this time, Sandy and I did a bit of Juno work. For those who don’t know, Juno is guiding with an empty harness to simulate the work of a information dog. I exploit this for people who find themselves dog-motivated or at the least dog-curious, which Sandy is. It offers individuals an opportunity to search out out what it could be prefer to journey and not using a cane during which they lose a lot of the tactile info they’re used to.

It may be a troublesome transition for some people. That and the truth that you progress a bit of quicker with a dog. Not essentially since you are strolling quicker, most likely some, however principally in that you’re stopping much less. The cane is an obstacle-detection system, whereas the dog is an obstacle-avoidance system. Sandy did fairly nicely. She principally loved calling me “Juno” and getting me to obey instructions. She’s progressing together with her cane expertise as nicely and is kind of the historian for Mechanicsburg, having lived right here for 53 years.

After Sandy and I are finished for the day, I head again over to Harrisburg and the convention to have dinner with Tommy, Jeanine, Lukas and Chelsea. I haven’t talked about Chelsea earlier than however she’s additionally a discipline rep for The Seeing Eye. I’ve acquired quite a lot of tales and historical past with Chelsea, however I’ll need to cowl that in one other weblog.

At Jeanine’s suggestion, we had dinner at a spot close to the capital referred to as The Millworks. It was a lumber mill and now homes not solely the restaurant but additionally a number of artists’ galleries. Neat place, with actually good meals. Lukas talked me into making an attempt hen wings that have been made fully out of cauliflower.  Whereas they didn’t style like hen, in addition they didn’t style like cauliflower so I assume that’s a win? I’m undecided if there’s a scarcity of hen wings or a surplus of cauliflower, however I’ll follow actual hen. For now.

After dinner, we went on an tour to discover a few very fascinating intersections and/or site visitors conditions that Lukas will likely be educating about tomorrow. Issues like floating bus islands and elevated pedestrian crosswalks. Every kind of issues that site visitors engineers are using to assist everybody share the street extra safely. I stay doubtful about most of their strategies to this point…

Day 6

Sandy and I’ve a shorter day as she is bringing Ralph house from the hospital this afternoon and he or she’s getting a trip on the market after lunch. She has quite a lot of questions on her subsequent steps as a result of she’s actually involved in making use of for a information dog after this. So, she (and anybody else who goes by both the on-campus or in-home coaching) has to observe for at least 30 days earlier than reapplying. She additionally has to ship in one other video of herself utilizing her newly discovered expertise.

If she have been on campus, the Pretty Girls of Consumer Companies would have had a sit-down dialogue about all these items, plus she would have been part of a commencement ceremony with some nice meals from Chief’s incredible kitchen. However, being on the street, she will get a lapel pin from me and a slice of pizza from JoJo’s, her favourite pizza place. It was good pizza however not like meals from Chief’s kitchen. For those who haven’t had the luxurious of being fed by Elizabeth and her workers, nicely, you simply haven’t lived. Simply phenomenal stuff.

After I go away Sandy I drive round Mechanicsburg a bit simply to see a bit of extra of city within the daylight. I got here throughout a shopping mall with a Primanti Brothers restaurant and am overjoyed! For those who learn my weblog from Pittsburgh final summer time, I ate at Primanti Brothers most likely 5 out of 6 nights. This place is so good. You will have already guessed what I had for dinner tonight. I refill on Primanti’s, compensate for my paperwork, pack and get an early evening’s sleep.

Day 7

I rise up, have “breakfast” on the lodge and get an early begin as a result of I wish to hit Gettysburg yet one more time. Sure. I’m going once more. It’s on my technique to the airport and I’m positive there’s some half I haven’t seen but.

I used to be proper, too. There’s a incredible customer’s middle with a bookstore! If Aunt Shirley and I have been right here collectively we would by no means go away. My brother as nicely. Or Chief’s President and CEO, Melissa. She’s a e-book lover, as nicely. Anyway, I’m proud to see that my favourite writer for this time interval, Shelby Foote, is well-represented right here. SO MANY different books to select from, although. Miraculously although, I make it out with none further books and take one final lap across the battlefield. Sure, I noticed issues I hadn’t seen earlier than, so I’m utterly justified regardless that I don’t must be. I used to be going to go anyway.

On July 4, 1863, the day after the final motion, the Military of Northern Virginia retreated to Virginia below the duvet of a rainstorm and the Military of the Potomac allow them to, making President Lincoln fairly upset, however that’s for one more weblog. It begins to rain as I go away Gettysburg as nicely. I discover it kinda becoming.

One factor to look ahead to is that I used a few of my factors with the lesser airline to get a seat with a bit of extra legroom. I acquired this plus a full can of ginger ale as an alternative of the same old Dixie Cup full, two snacks, and the coup de gras: nobody sitting beside me. Increase! I completed Iron Claw, my wrestling film, with out having to battle anybody for the armrest and acquired to stretch out a bit.

The climate in Houston is just not as nice because it has been in Pennsylvania all week. I’ll rue sporting this hoodie the second I step exterior into Texas once more.

I’m headed to Wisconsin subsequent journey. Going to see a consumer current at a convention and probably catch a few baseball video games. I gotta cease residing like this: going from excessive to excessive to excessive. I received’t know deal with “regular” life.