AND A QUICK VISIT TO WASHINGTON, D.C

History, Haunts & Hilarious Memories

Every year, we pack up and head somewhere special as a family. This time, we made our way to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It is a place full of charm, history, and Halloween vibes! Just an hour outside of Washington, D.C., it was the perfect blend of educational adventure and spooky season fun.

And this year’s trip? Planned and powered by Grandma D, our fearless family road warrior! She’s living her best retired life, exploring the U.S. in an RV with her husband of 35+ years, collecting memories and making history come alive for the grandkids.

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🚍 RV Life & Halloween Festivities

We stayed in the biggest RV park I’ve ever seen — seriously, it was like a mini village! And with October in full swing, the entire campground was decked out in festive Halloween spirit. Decorations everywhere. Families in costume. You could just feel the fun.

If you know our crew, you know we’re all-in when it comes to haunted houses. Every fall, my husband Trey becomes our official “Haunted House Researcher,” and this trip was no different. From late-night haunts to daytime history tours, we squeezed in as much as we could!

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👻 Haunted Bridge & Presidential Bells

One highlight? A stop at a place known as the Haunted Bridge. No ghosts this time (bummer), but standing on the same land once crossed by Robert E. Lee and his troops was powerful.

Right nearby, we saw a bell outside President Eisenhower’s home. Fun fact: he used to helicopter out on weekends to relax here — can you blame him?

History truly came alive this trip. While I love soaking it all in, I’ll admit I don’t always remember every detail! 😅 Luckily, Trey’s dad is like our own walking history podcast. Always ready with a fact, a story, or a fun nugget of info.

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🍴 Food, Friends & Gettysburg Vibes

We grabbed a bite at The Pike Restaurant & Lounge before setting off to tour the historic streets of Gettysburg. Later, when we took a quick trip to D.C., Amaya stayed behind with Grandma and Grandpa for some grandparent-level pampering. Everyone was living their best life!

When we got back, a new RV had pulled in next door — and surprise! It had three kids, which meant Amaya instantly had friends for the night. It was perfect.

While she was off laughing and making memories, Trey, his brother, and I dove headfirst into haunted house hopping. We sometimes hit 4 to 5 attractions in one park. That’s how we roll. 😂

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🔐 The Escape Room: So Close!

And then… the escape room.
Let’s just call this one: “One Lock Away” 😩

We were crushing it for the first 30 minutes. Gathering clues, solving riddles, feeling confident. Our strategy is simple: grab everything that looks important and work through it as a team.

But then the riddles got trickier. The timer kept ticking. And we started second-guessing ourselves. At one point, the game master popped in with a cheeky reminder that there was no WiFi in 1863! 😆

With four locks still unopened and our time running out, I started feeling dizzy from the heat. I’ve been dealing with some lightheaded spells lately (thankfully I have a doctor’s appointment soon!). I think I just needed sugar or a break — maybe both.

Trey got the game master to bring us some water, and I sat down to help from the sidelines. You know what? Sitting and reading the clues calmly might’ve been my secret weapon. I was way more helpful from there than when I was scrambling! Lesson learned.

That last lock involved a letter-based cipher we almost cracked — but ran out of time. Still, the teamwork, laughter, and thrill made it worth every second.

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🪖 Civil War Moments & Historic Touchpoints

Gettysburg is packed with stories, and we made sure to explore as many as we could.

• I stood where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.
• Walked the same church steps once used by President Nixon.
• Even spotted real Civil War bullet shells embedded in the sides of old buildings.

The echoes of history are everywhere — it’s surreal and humbling.

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💀 Haunted House Parks — A Breakdown

We visited three haunted house parks — each with its own vibe, and each one unforgettable.

🎢 Park 1: Spooky Fun & Family Vibes

This one had an epic entrance and four houses to explore.
Amaya was nervous at first (head down, eyes shut), but hey — I was just like her my first year. She eased into it, and we were so proud of her!

🚜 Haunted Hayride Highlight

This hayride was everyone’s favorite. We relaxed, looked around, and soaked in the atmosphere. It was spooky enough to be exciting but chill enough for the kids.

😱 Park 2: Cartoon Creepiness & TNT Boxes

We picked this one because the logo looked cool (yes, that’s a valid reason 😂).
The first house was like walking into a haunted cartoon — eerie, creative, and totally thrilling. It had five unique houses to explore.

🌲 Park 3: Deep in the Woods – Jason’s Woods

Now this was intense.
Built in the actual woods, the first house welcomed us with zombies, rusty car parts, and creepy vines. The second attraction was so scary it pushed my scream limit. 😅
They replaced the hayride with a COVID-safe walkthrough. It was nearly 2 miles long. We walked through forest trails, animatronics, and jump scares galore.

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A Fun Fact from Gettysburg + Your Next Puzzle Challenge! 🔍✨

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania isn’t just a charming stop on the map — it’s a place where history echoes through the streets! 🏛️ During the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, more than 165,000 soldiers engaged in fierce conflict. This became the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. This 3-day event marked a major turning point. Just a few months later, President Abraham Lincoln stood on this very ground. He delivered the iconic Gettysburg Address. 🎙️📜

His words? Short, powerful, unforgettable — just like this stop on your adventure!

Now, ready for your challenge? Let’s test those puzzle-solving skills…

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🧠✨ Puzzle Challenge: “The Secret Word”

Hidden in the story you just read are FIVE special, bold words above.
👀 Your mission?
Find them and write them down.
Then take the first letter of each word to reveal a secret 5-letter word!

Here’s your clue:

All are found naturally in the story — no tricks, no riddles, just good reading and sharp eyes!

Write them down. Unlock your word. 🗝️

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🎉 Did you figure it out?!
Are you ready to claim your adventure badge for Gettysburg?

Drop your word in the comment section or DM us — and keep that explorer streak going strong! 🌟📍

💗 Wrapping It All Up

This trip was full of everything I love — family, laughter, spooky adventures, and living history. I’m so grateful for these memories. It was a chance to step away from the hustle. I could dive into moments that fill my heart.

Thanks for following along — and I can’t wait to share where we’re headed next!

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