4 Aug - Fort Ligonier Déjà Vu...!

 

Today we drove east and north just a bit to Ligonier PA to visit Fort Ligonier.  It was a nice relaxing drive even though we had a bit of rain as we departed.

We arrived, parked, and looked around the outside front area where they have some cannons and other information on display.  I took a few pictures and had this weird feeling, kind of a Twilight Zone /  déjà vu feeling.  I mentioned something to Doreen but we headed into the museum and paid the nominal fee and walked through their great displays.  All this time there was this little voice in the back of my head saying, "Dude this really looks familiar...!"  

So we finished up inside the museum and headed out the back door to the fort area, then it really hit me.  We've been here before!!!  

When we got back to the campground I pulled up the computer and sure enough,  13 Jun 2016 we visited Fort Ligonier!!  In our defense, we have traveled tens of thousands of miles between then and now and camped in hundreds of different campgrounds.  Yeah, I know, as Lefty would say, "Excuses, excuses, it's always excuses!"  LOL

So as not to disappoint anyone who was not following our trip in 2016, here is our tour for today:

The Museum

The Century Link Chain.  This chain commemorates the 1858 centennial and 1958  bicentennial of Fort Ligonier.  I thought it was interesting the chain is slightly larger but similar to the chain they extended across the Hudson River at West Point NY to prevent the British from traveling up the river. We saw that when we camped at Westpoint in 2016.  It was smelted right here in Ligonier PA. 

One of the mortars in front of the museum

 Ligonier PA was settled in 1758 and was the site of Fort Ligonier, named after Field Marshall John Ligonier who was in the British Army. They reconstructed the fort and it is amazing. Originally it took 1500-2500 soldiers about four months to build. 

Inside the museum there are a couple different display areas and a beautiful portrait gallery.

Field Marshall John Ligonier

We then entered the main display area.  It covered the timeline of Fort Ligonier and was full of artifacts.  They boast the most complete collection of artifacts from the French and Indian War in their museum. The George Washington items including his saddle pistols were unbelievable.

George Washington's saddle pistols. Presented as a gift from

Marquis de Lafayette in 1778.

A pair of 1757 English "sash" pistols. Removable barrels, .56 caliber carried in an officer's sash for personal protection

There was an interesting display on the life at Fort Ligonier.  This photo describes how the soldiers are taught to alternate head to toe in their tents.

We finished up inside and headed out the back door to the Fort area.  It was well groomed and maintained.  There are many cannons on display and signage everywhere to describe the highlights.

All around the inside of the fort is artillery.  This is a "swivel gun", a half pound anti-personnel close range weapon.

Very well maintained artillery.  The brass is highly polished.

The moat surrounding the fort

Various reconstructed supply buildings, barracks, officers quarters, etc

Soldiers Barracks

Doreen checking out the quartermaster's stores.

Chevaux de Frise. Portable wooden obstacles with sharpened

points used to block entrances and repel attackers.

As we initially entered the museum they told us we would see an archeological dig going on towards the back of the fort, and there it was!  I spoke with the person overseeing the dig and he said they were looking for one of the gun emplacements.  Apparently the maps they have are inaccurate and the are to the east of the fort was once an amphitheater but had been filled in years ago, which is complicating their investigation.  He pointed out two very different colors of dirt indicating fill vs original.  

So we had a good time and the weather was good.  On the way out we noticed a marker signifying "Forbes Road".  

The Forbes Road was a historic 220 mile long military roadway that dates back to the time when the British occupied portions of early America. It was named after Brigadier General John Forbes, the commander of the 1758 British-led expedition that built the road during the French and Indian War.  It passed through or near Fort Loudon, Fort Littleton, Fort Bedford and right here at Fort Ligonier.  The guy I spoke with about the digging said that at the crest of the hill they excavated wagon wheel ruts.  

On the way back we took US 30, which runs east-west entirely through the State of Iowa.  

When we got closer to the campground we took back roads to get there and saw many old stone houses from back in the day.  Very neat!

After we got back we noticed both neighbors to the south had departed, which did not break our heart.  Our view towards the door side got better!  Later, I ventured up on the roof and was pleased to find no major damage from the low hanging trees entering and leaving our last campground. 

No neighbors on the south now!

Rub marks from low hanging branches on the air conditioner cowling, but no damage to the air conditioner itself and no damage whatsoever to the actual PVC roof membrane.

WiFi Ranger antenna bent over, but it is still intact and working, so we are good!

By the time I am writing this both camping spots to the south of us have filled back up, which is not surprising.  

Also, update from yesterday's question about getting raped at the gas pump here in PA. "Pennsylvania's tax had already been above average, but a 2013 transportation funding bill triggered a series of increases and changed the place in the fuel-supply chain where the tax is assessed. ... The tax rose from 32.3 cents per gallon in 2013 to its current level, 58.7 cents per gallon, in 2018"

Similar to today, no big plans yet for tomorrow.  Maybe a leisurely drive in the country again and we might even stumble upon a tavern with a cold beer.  We will see what tomorrow brings!  The way I like it!