Harpers Ferry, WV

I'm pushing off my Weekend Wrap Up a day so I can share our quick little getaway to Harpers Ferry with you! We went there this weekend and it was an experience we will never forget. You'll see why...

Harpers Ferry is just an 80 minute drive from our place in Camp Hill, PA. I had seen pictures of the town from when Paul went with his parents a couple weeks ago, but it was even more cute and old time-y in person. And I didn't realize it was a National Historic Park!

The first thing we did when we got to the little town was walk down to The Point where the Shenendoah and Potomac Rivers meet. We walked halfway across the bridge. It was cold! The bridge is actually part of the Appalachian Trail.

The reason we went was because the town was celebrating their Olde Tyme Christmas, and tonight was the first day of celebrating! You know something is really old fashioned when they spell old with an "e" and time with a "y"!

All the cute little houses and inns were decorated to celebrate the season!

We walked around the cute little town and did some Christmas shopping. I wish I could show you what we bought, but some of the gift recipients may be reading this right now!

We had dinner at a cute little place that reminded us of Colorado.

I had a burger that was out of this world and Paul had a grown up grilled cheese sandwich.

Then we headed down to the heated tent where there were people dressed in old fashioned clothes passing out cookies and cider. We took a seat and listened to the opening ceremonies of the Olde Tyme Christmas. A park ranger and town leader gave us a little bit of history, then a musicologist (which I don't think is a real thing, just a self appointed title!) acted as the tour guide for the crowd of at least 100.

He led us out of the tent and across the street, where he lit a yule log. Then we sang Deck the Halls. Next, the musicologist led us down the main street where we would stop at the different shops and sing a carol. Each shop owner would come out and light a candle. The musicologist told us stories and history throughout our walk.

We sang so many of the most beautiful carols... God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Here We Come A Caroling...

The whole time we were walking and singing, I couldn't get over how beautiful it was. I'm not religious, but even so, I appreciate any group of people that come together in peace and harmony to wish peace and goodwill to all!

I whispered to Paul, "Do you think we're the only atheists here???" He laughed.

Our caroling ended at St. Peter's Catholic Church- a beautiful church at the stop of a hill.

The priest came out and said a prayer, then they lit the Christmas tree outside the church. We sang Silent Night.

Next, we all squeezed into the church to watch a live nativity scene. I thought a live nativity scene was where people dressed in costumes and stood still at a manger scene. Those are the live nativity scenes I am accustomed to. This one was more like a show and it was really going slow... and I was feeling really tired... so we sneaked out somewhere sometime after the angel Gabriel was done.

On our way back to our hotel, we talked about how we never envisioned we would have so much fun and would get to go CHRISTMAS CAROLING in Harpers Ferry. But we missed the cats, so instead of staying the night, we drove home!

I know, we are so weird!

If you have the chance to go to Harpers Ferry, I really recommend it! And if you are someone that really loves the Christmas season, you would love the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration!

That was our short little 5 hour trip to Harpers Ferry! It really felt like we were there for longer than that because it was as if we were in another world!

Have you ever been to Harpers Ferry?
Do you like Christmas caroling?
What do you expect from a live nativity scene?