Driving the Forbes Trail and the Flight 93 Memorial

Holiday weekend traffic.  You'd think that after all those years of traveling with kids, that I would have remembered that such a thing exists.

But, somehow...it escaped my mind. The plan had always been to drive out early on Thursday, and return home Sunday evening.  Just what were we thinking?

A quick check of the PA turnpike conditions online showed that a long stretch of the road was pretty much a parking lot.  Obviously, we needed to modify our return route if we wanted to avoid the stress of dealing with a high volume of tired, cranky drivers whose fun weekend was now at an end.

So, we headed out with Buster in tow, and began the drive home along the "scenic" route.

Or should I say the twisty, curvy, hilly route?

At times, I felt like I was on a roller coaster, and poor Buster actually lived the experience when his cage tipped over (with him inside) during a sudden stop while driving downhill.  (Not to worry....he's just fine...a little excitement never hurt anyone, right?)

We were driving on the Forbes Trail....the one that goes from Pittsburgh through Ligonier to Bedford.  The very same trail that we had just read about in Pittenween Park in Dunfermline, Scotland a couple of weeks ago.

Small world, isn't it?

Along the way, we spotted signs for the Flight 93 Memorial.  We had been driving for quite awhile, and I suggested that we stop.  We needed a break anyway (Buster needed some stretching out after his roll over excitement) and I didn't know when the opportunity to visit here would come up again.

So, we made the turn and began the drive down a country road, through nothing but fields, on our way to the memorial.  

Rounding the curve towards the parking lot, I was surprised to find it so full!  It was nearly 5:00 on a Sunday evening,  and with this place being so remote, I certainly had not expected to see so many visitors.  

Near the parking lot there is a plaza featuring placards that describe the events leading up to the crash of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.

The memorial itself is a long walk which leads to a view of the crash site and a marble wall that is engraved with the  names of the 40 victims.   After seeing the faces of the victims listed on one of the placards, it was difficult to make the walk without imagining the horror of that fateful day.

There were signs that asked people to maintain a certain reverence in respect to those who died, but I don't think that anyone walking through there needed the reminder.

You could just feel it in the air.  This was hallowed ground..... and people knew it.

The memorial wall, at the end of the walk, stands along the final path of the plane.  Each segment is engraved with a name of one of the victims.

In the distance stands the boulder where the plane crashed into the ground.

We learned that it was at this site where the plans for the attack were found, written in arabic, detailing the events of the day and the intended target:  the U.S. Capital in Washington, DC.  The visas, passports, paperwork and the voice recorder box supplied the evidence to confirm the terrorist attacks on this country.

The memories of the horror of that day came flooding back.  And it was obvious that I was not alone in  having flashbacks of that day.  

As we walked back to the car, Marty and I both commented about how impressed we were to see so many people take an interest to visit this memorial that is out in the countryside of Bedford County.

And how appropriate to pay homage to these heroes on the July 4th weekend, when we celebrate the independence of our country.  

It wasn't a planned stop for us.....but one that we were glad to have chosen.  Gallivanting has certainly opened our eyes to opportunities that the straight road would have missed.

And, in this particular case, the added plus of driving along a road which was, indeed, much less traveled, making our trip home a bit easier.

Until next time.....