Ideals of equality
Pennsylvania earns its nickname, the Keystone State, for good reason—it stood at the very heart of America’s founding story. This is where the Declaration of Independence was brought to life, setting a new nation in motion. Decades later, its legacy echoed powerfully in Lincoln’s unforgettable Gettysburg Address, delivered on hallowed ground that had witnessed one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles.
So it’s only fitting that we make our way to Gettysburg, a scenic mere half-hour drive from Harrisburg—a place where history lingers in every field and monument.
Spooky entry
We arrive at the visitor centre at the 6,000 acre Gettysburg National Military Park. We opt not to take a guided bus tour. The visitor centre is at the museum which has an indoor display dedicated to the Civil war.
Down a staircase, a flicker of movement catches our eye—a couple slips past, dressed head to toe in Victorian fashion. A bonnet sways, a hooped skirt rustles, a corset is pulled tight; beside her, a waistcoat, suspenders, and a felt hat complete the illusion. For a heartbeat, it feels like encountering ghosts of the past.
They vanish as quickly as they appear, leaving only the reminder of the morning’s spectacle—Remembrance Day, when the military grounds come alive with a parade of devoted reenactors, marching and mingling in full Victorian dress, blurring the line between past and present.
Surviving a war
As we browse the war artifacts, the spiral ramp pulls us upward, each step heightening the anticipation. By the time we reach the platform at the centre of the cylinder, we’re surrounded. The curving walls close in with sweeping panoramic images—no escape, no protection. Battles erupts on all sides. Lights flash, sounds crack the air, horses seem to neigh in terror, fires flicker. We’re caught in a full 360° assault of motion and noise, the theatrical effects collapsing distance until it feels less like watching and more like being there, right in the middle of it.
We leave with mixed feelings. Being at the center of a battle—even an imagined one—can be deeply unsettling. It is not only the danger that affects us, but the moral conflict as well. In the end, we are grateful it was only an enactment. We made it through.
Meet and greet
And now, we come face to face with the ever-recognisable Abraham Lincoln—one hand firmly clutching his speech, the other extended in a gesture that feels equal parts statesmanlike and unexpectedly welcoming.
What might have been a solemn, rain-drenched moment—heavy with the weight of his words—was instead given a touch of character, thanks to the quiet heroism of an umbrella, turning solemnity into something just a little more human.
Willy Wonka,here we come
Our host promotes a tour of the Hershey Chocolate factory. Milton Hershey who started the factory is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. We enter in the evening when it is quiet. We take the chocolate tour. The ride is a continuous loop each taking only about 3 mins. But it does showcase how Hershey's milk chocolate is made. The tour includes agricultural scenes, a tropical farm setting, a warm cocoa bean roaster, and a finale with thousands of candies. It's a dream for children and the child in anyone.
The seasonal adornment for Christmas serves to further enhance the atmosphere, cultivating an elevated sense of cheer, comfort, and collective togetherness.
A heavenly event
While we are there, Harrisburg is hosting a religious event at a local temple, and we take part. Interestingly, cushioned back supports are available for those who choose to sit cross-legged on the floor. We meet friendly strangers while sharing a meal served at the temple. It is certainly meaningful to spend time in a familiar cultural setting, even if only briefly, and it can have a positive effect on one’s sense of identity.
Gee-whiz
Drink has to fly out. He has the tickets. No room for error. Our host drops us at the terminal, and drives off to park. The moment she disappears, something feels wrong. Inside, the airport is unnervingly quiet. No lines. No movement. Just long, empty counters and the faint buzz of lights overhead. We walk farther than we should have to, unease building with every step.
At last, an employee. We hand her the ticket. She studies it. Looks up. Pauses. “You’re in the wrong airport.”
Really? A short drive away, she says—but time is already slipping through our fingers. Our host is parking… or worse, already on the shuttle back. Every second now matters. Panic sets in. We manage to contact her.
Miraculously, she hasn’t boarded the shuttle yet. Minutes later, she’s back at the curb. We throw ourselves and our bags into the car, urgency pressing in from all sides.
Apparently, Dulles Airport, where we are right now, is in Virginia, a state next to Pennsylvania.
Our driver remains calm and composed. She gently apologizes for not checking our departure airport beforehand, though it isn’t really her fault—most people she knows usually fly from Dulles.
We are now making our way toward Washington, D.C. the adjacent state. In the distance, across fields painted in soft autumn colors, the Capitol and the obelisk come into view.
Before long, we arrive at Ronald Reagan Airport, and everything feels settled again.
All’s well that ends well.
The drive back to Canada: Crossing states and countries
The journey begins at a scenic overlook at Samuel S. Lewis State Park, located atop Mount Pisgah, where sweeping panoramic views reveal the surrounding valleys and open landscapes of large grassy fields, wooded trails, and the distant Susquehanna River Valley below. From there, the trip continues as we drive through New York State, passing through steep, forested mountain terrain and crossing a roadway bridge over a wide body of water, probably the Mill Creek bridge over the Tioga Reservoir. Along the route, a quiet rural scene appears with a small-town residential street lined with single-family homes and patches of snow still lingering on the ground, suggesting winter. We arrive at the iconic Peace Bridge in Buffalo, making a major international crossing over the Niagara River.
