We had to stop at Bennington and see that tall, tall structure that beckoned us from afar! It sits on top of a hill and you can see it for miles as you approach Bennington from any direction. We were glad we stopped.
As we approached the area, the monument seemed to grow before our eyes and we decided to take the elevator ride to the top for a view of Bennington. Jim decided quickly since he was sure he’d get his $3.00 worth. (Of course he had to ask if it included the trip back down!)
Since the colors were perfect and tourists were busy looking at them and not historic sites, we only met two other couples at our visit here. We didn’t even have to fight for a window with a view ~ or wait in line for the elevator!
. . . this may have been a battlefield 200+ years ago, but it’s a gift shop for the battlefield today ~ and yes, we spent money here. Three dollars each, to be precise.
Now for a couple other facts that are not included on this sign ~ Those 417 steps only had 4″ risers, so the walk up was not a strenuous one. There were 4 stopping points on the way up, by each of those 4 long slits (windows) that you see on the front of the monument ~ and according to our “tour guide” (elevator operator) nobody complained! After all, before the 1970′s that was the only way to get to the top and experience the awesome view!
On each side of the monument are 5 slits up at the top. This picture was taken from the ones on the right of the monument ~ looking down, of course! If you look carefully, you will see a white steeple at the end of the street. Well, in reality, it is not the end of the street, but on a continuation of the street. The steeple sits on top of The First Congregational Church in Bennington. This Church dates back to 1806 and Robert Frost rests for eternity in the cemetery behind it.
This picture was taken through one of the five slits on the back of the monument. The colors were awesome and the house in the foreground even more so!
As we got off the elevator after our descent, we noticed a sign we had not seen before our ascent ~ or rather it was pointed out to us! and then we were told to look up! Sure enough, there it was, hanging!
A large kettle, over 200 years old, missing one leg! Can you imagine how many men were served out of this? A nice hot meal out of it in August! Yummm.
. . . and of course, no good tourist leaves anywhere without having their picture taken somewhere on site, just to prove they were there. (Jim in his shorts, Linda in her flipflops, the typical American tourist!)
We chose this guy to have our picture taken with ~ the guy who had his right foot shot off!
