Skiing through history is an unforgivable experience. Such was the case for us on January 27, 1991, when we donned our cross-country skis and made our way through the woods of Gettysburg Battlefield toward Culp’s Hill. At the hill’s summit, we climbed an observation tower in order to take in the scope of the historical site.

Once back in the snow, it was impossible not to be overwhelmed by the significance of the place where we were constantly reminded by hundreds of monuments of the death and destruction that took place there between July 1 and 3, 1863, when General George G. Meade led a Northern army of 80,000 against Robert E. Lee’s contingent of 75,000.

On July 2, Lee tried to crack the left side of Meade’s defensive position. The attack resulted in many deaths, but failed to establish a solid position for the rebels. The next day, Lee decided to attack the Union army’s center by sending General Pickett’s troops on their now-famous charge across an open field and up Cemetery Ridge directly into the North’s line of fire. The failed attack resulted in 20,000 casualties for the South and 18,000 for the North.

Incredibly, Sue, David and I were diagonal-striding over the southern section of the battlefield where Pickett’s men met their downfall. As we skied a long loop beginning at the Wheatfield and continuing through the Peach Orchard, Devil’s Den, and Granite Farm, it hit me: we were skiing over the very ground that saw the turning point of America’s Civil War. An amazing experience…