Fort Ligonier Adventure

We started early on our adventure! Right outside the fort, we encountered rain so but it didn't ruin our parade! First stop-Fort Ligonier. The fort had been reconstructed on the exact site and it was magnificent. Ligonier, PA is one of the quaintest towns I have ever been in. A little touristy, but unique, quirky, and beautiful but also heavy with history that has been well maintained. 

Our first stop was the fort museum. I could fill a truck with photos of the museum, so I just picked a couple to share. Since most of my readers are female, I'll focus on fashion. LOL! As you can see, the British were very well dressed with coat, vest, and knickers. There was also a pair of what I call "hooker boots" and some of the first "gators" every made! Some of the exhibits made me laugh, like the quote from a British military man. And they wonder why we don't like them. LOL! And I would be amiss to not include the "Necessary House" or in plain English, the primitive porta-potty. My husband has a fascination with them and knows where every one in town is. I have suggested that he make a map to be sold at the visitor center in our town but he has yet to embrace my brilliant idea! Who knows? It might be a best seller, especially among families with little children.

The fort is actually a fort within a fort. There was the exterior wall, the moat, and then the inner fort. Three lines of defense! There was a hospital, a place to dry meat and bake bread, the blacksmith, barracks for officers, a storage house, and an ammo cellar beneath the ground to protect from rain, heat and incoming cannon balls. I don't know how anyone got any sleep because the men slept 2-4 to a bed that no bigger than a double bed. 

As I mentioned before, the town was very quaint. Specialty shops abounded. The town square was the most impressive thing we saw all day. I hope you appreciate the photo. I risked my life to take it. It was like an island with a manicured lawn and flowers right in the middle of the town. Those chimes were the lowest chimes I have ever heard and when I saw them, I just had to run up on the porch and ring them. Fortunately I wasn't arrested for trespassing. LOL! And just in case you were wondering, we did not get tattoo's while we were there. 

Lunch was a reuben sandwich, real french fries and hand squeezed lemonade. Darrell got soup, but we split the sandwich because I just can't eat a whole one, ever! All I have to say is move over, Waffle shop! 

As you well know, our world revolves around ice cream and there happened to be an ice cream shop right on the square. We sat on a bench and watched the traffic while we gobbled down some really good ice cream.

The town was full of churches and of course, graveyards! I'm only including a few of the photos I took. We had a blast spying out steeples and then trying to find them. Many of those involved in the fort were buried there. 

We reluctantly headed home in the late afternoon, tired and with sore feet, but we could easily be convinced to return for a visit. When I think about the kind of men and women who forged this history, I feel proud to be an American. I was challenged as well to examine the things that I feel are important and how they affect those with whom I interact and those who will come after me. What kind of legacy will I leave behind? What will be recorded of my life in the hearts of those I leave behind? 

​So if you are looking for a nice day trip in PA, this is one you will not want to miss!