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- charming, scenic, historic For a great vacation, visit the settings of War and Redemption - picturesque towns, scenic locations, and historic battlefields. Here is a suggested trip, following I-81 and its side roads, from Virginia to New York. Arm yourself with good state tourist maps for Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, since some of the more interesting, little-visited locales are a little off the beaten track (eg, McCoys Ford, Irwinton Mills, New Hope Mills). The author highly recommends The Mercersburg Inn as a central point from which to visit the locales in Pennsylvania and near-by Virginia. This classic Georgian Mansion is the perfect vacation get-away - beautifully appointed rooms, lovely grounds, and superb cuisine, on the highest hill of a charming historic town. Hosts Jim and Lisa McCoy go out of their way to make your visit a memorable occasion. More information at www.MercersburgInn.com And when in Mercersburg, enjoy a delicious crab cake at Flannery's, on the "diamond".  Start in Washington, D.C. and drive west on US. 50 through the horse country of Virginia’s Loudoun Valley to Aldie and Middletown, scene of Black Horse Troop cavalry battles, and on to Upperville, home of Jack Lewis. Cross the Blue Ridge into the Shenandoah Valley, take US 340 to Berryville, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry/Bolivar Heights, where Jack Lewis and Lathrop Emmons first skirmish with Luke Kellogg and the men of the 137th NY. Take WV 230 to Shepherdstown, cross the Potomac to Sharpsburg, site of the battle of Antietam. Take MD 65 toward Hagerstown, enter I-70 West, and on to Clear Spring, where you take a narrow MD 56 west for just a few miles. Watch for the narrow lane on the left, marked for McCoy’s Ferry, and follow it to the Potomac. The marker for Jeb Stuart’s raid of 1862 is on the C&O Canal towpath above the little park/picnic ground. Here is where Jack Lewis crossed in the early hours of October 10, 1862.  From Clear Spring, follow signs for the Whitetail Ski Resort, north into Pennsylvania through Blairs Valley, following the route of Jack Lewis and Stuart’s raiders of 1862. Continue toward Mercersburg, detouring to visit Irwinton Mills. This is a most picturesque spot, but hard to find. Rebel veteran Lathrop Emmons had a hard time locating it in 1883 - you may too. But be persistent. At the Rt. 75 crossroads of Shimpstown, go east one mile, turn south on Rt. 416 for one mile and turn left on a narrow road for ¾ mile when you will go through the little red covered bridge, scene of Luke’s final battle with Emmons. Take the next right, over the old stone arch bridge, and follow along the Conococheague Creek to Irwinton Mills (now Andersons Mill). Continue to Rt. 16, and go west to the charming and historic town of Mercersburg, boyhood home of President James Buchanan. Take time to walk its historic district, where Seth Karper had his broom shop. Stop at the Mansion House, where Jack stayed when he delivered horses before the War. Drive through the lovely Mercersburg Academy campus (Mercersburg Seminary at the time of Stuart’s Raid.) Taking Rt. 416 to US 30, drive on to Chambersburg, where Jack was reunited with Sally Keefer the night of October 10. Stop at historic Courthouse Square and its marker of the Burning of Chambersburg by rebels in 1864. Continue on US 30 over South Mountain at Caledonia to Gettysburg. At the Square, drive down Baltimore St. past the Evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse and turn left on the battlefield road (Slocum Ave.) After ¼ mile, stop and walk east to Rock Creek, scene of Luke’s skirmish with Jack and Emmons. Drive up over the south summit of Culp’s Hill, scene of the 137th NY’s heroic stand the night of July 2, 1863, down into the swale between the summits. Note the stone wall that is still there, from behind which the  10th Virginia attacked the rear of the 137th, while four other rebel regiments attacked their front and right flank. You can read more about Col. Ireland and his brave 137th NY at http://www.bivouacbooks.com/bbv2i3s3.htm Stop at the monument to the 137th NY. At the summit, view the statue of the architect of the brilliant defense of Culp’s Hill, 3rd Brigade commander Gen. George Greene. After, drive east on the Hanover Rd. to the East Cavalry Field, scene of Stuart’s ( and Jack Lewis’s) great cavalry battle, then on to Hanover, where he fought the battle at the Forney farm. Follow Stuart’s route north to Carlisle, visiting the US Army Museum at Carlisle Barracks. While I-81 provides a fast route to Binghamton, for a more scenic drive, take US 11/15 north, a lovely route on the west shore of the Susquehanna. as it cuts through the Tuscarora mountains. Just after US 11 splits east from US 15, turn left at Shikellamy Park and drive up to the summit of the cliff overlooking the confluence of the East and West branch of the Susquehanna for a picnic with a gorgeous view.  Just after crossing the river to Northumberland, turn left on Rt. 147 and continue north on I-180 to Muncy, where you turn onto US 220 through the Endless Mountains to Waverly, N.Y., then NY 17 east to I-81 South at Binghamton. Take the first exit, 4S, and follow Rt. 343 to the small but scenic Confluence Park, the junction of the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers. On the northwest river bank young Luke and Julia had their first tryst, and later built their home. Retrace your path to I-81 North, then west on NY 17, to first exit, Mygatt St., and follow it south for one block to Spring Forest Cemetery. Walk up the hill to the crypt of Col. David Ireland. Capt. Henry Shipman is also buried here (Luke’s commanders in the 137th NY).  Back on I-81, go north to Homer, then take Rt. 41 to Scott, turning left onto Glen Haven Road, to follow the west shore of Skaneateles Lake from Glen Haven to New Hope - Luke Kellogg’s home. Visit the historic New Hope Mills (they have great pancake mixes!). End your trip in the beautiful and charming resort town of Skaneateles - you will want to spend a few days here!
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