Off the beaten path around Harrisburg, Pa: Fort Indiantown Gap and Memorial Lake

Last visited 8/22

We decided to visit a less popular place today, but one that Stewie ended up really liking. Fort Indiantown Gap is one location where soldiers from all over the nation come for combat and commander training. It is named from the American Indian village known as Indiantown and the "gap" in the Blue Mountains where it lies. Artifacts have been found in the valley that indicate native inhabitants having been there as early as 2,500 BC. Find more information here: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/

There are over 11,000 acres that supply enough area for live fire training, but we are live too far away to hear it. We do get to see helicopters and transport planes do practice runs around the area with touch downs at Harrisburg International Airport as well.

Pennsylvania National Guard Memorial

The memorial for the three soldiers who died 7/18/11 in Operation Enduring Freedom

There are several static displays situated around the base that are accessible to the public. Park alongside the road, but NOT on the grass!! I mistakenly parked on the grass, and the base security questioned us and explained that you are not allowed to park on grass on bases. He was cute, so it was worth it.

Breaking out the BIG GUNS!

We also made a stop at the National Cemetery and visited the Pennsylvania Memorial. It was a nice quiet place with water fountains that added a nice background sound to the area.

The Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial is the first in the state to honor veterans of all the wars, Revolutionary forward. It is the largest veterans' memorial in any of the 143 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The bathrooms were very clean and impressive

Once you are done here, I would suggest that you stop for a visit to Memorial Lake State Park, only a few miles away. It was established in 1945 in memory and honor of Pa National Guard soldiers who served in WWI and WWII. Find more information here: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/MemorialLakeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx

The lake has a 2 mile trail around it if you are looking for a nice walk. If you are more into boating, you can bring your own, or they have kayaks, boats and paddle boats to rent for $22 an hour. They provide life jackets as well.

The rental shack is near to the docks

You may get to see them practice water bucket drills while there

The black wasp kills insects to take back to the nest to feed the young. About 1-1 1/2 inches in size, they seldom sting humans