BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: When I squeezed my way into a tour of the Shepherdstown battlefield in late September, I didn't think much about the fact that we would wade the Potomac at Boteler's Ford -- the same ford the Rebels used to cross from Maryland to Virginia on Sept, 18, 1862, after the Battle of Antietam. Fact is, I wasn't prepared. No plastic bag for my precious iPhone. No place to put my wallet to keep it safe if I plunged into the river. A fellow wader came to my aid on both counts. The water was cold but only up to my waist, and I made it safely across with the rest of our hearty group. In the image, Antietam battlefield guides Jim Rosebrock (left) and Kevin Pawlak cross to the West Virginia side of the river. (It became West Virginia in June 1863.) If you ever get a chance to do this, I highly recommend. (Click at upper right to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)
Saturday, November 7, 2015
WADING THE POTOMAC RIVER: Shepherdstown battlefield tour
BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: When I squeezed my way into a tour of the Shepherdstown battlefield in late September, I didn't think much about the fact that we would wade the Potomac at Boteler's Ford -- the same ford the Rebels used to cross from Maryland to Virginia on Sept, 18, 1862, after the Battle of Antietam. Fact is, I wasn't prepared. No plastic bag for my precious iPhone. No place to put my wallet to keep it safe if I plunged into the river. A fellow wader came to my aid on both counts. The water was cold but only up to my waist, and I made it safely across with the rest of our hearty group. In the image, Antietam battlefield guides Jim Rosebrock (left) and Kevin Pawlak cross to the West Virginia side of the river. (It became West Virginia in June 1863.) If you ever get a chance to do this, I highly recommend. (Click at upper right to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)
