September 17th, 1862, the Army of The Confederacy has taken the civil war to the northern states by invading Maryland. The battle at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland remains, to this day, the bloodiest single day battle in US history with an estimated 22,717 soldiers dead, wounded or missing, all in a matter of a few hours. That is more dead in one day than in all of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the US/Mexican war… combined.

Drove here from Brooklyn, New York yesterday. Although I loved NYC and I’m very glad that I spent the time I did, it’s a crazy, busy and at time overwhelming place. Kinda like going to Vegas – Great when you get there, great to be there, but you can take only some much before it’s time to leave. The best part about not being in NYC anymore? Parking in a hotel parking lot near the main entrance, instead of at a valet-only parking garage a block away.

Today, I’ll visit the Antietam Civil War battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland and then, time permitting, the Harpers Ferry historic site in Harpers Ferrty West Virginia.