Walking Along the Sunken Road at Shiloh National Military Park

During Laura’s Fall Break back in October, we visited Shiloh National Military Park. Yes, it has taken me this long to share any photos from our visit. That is because we have had a lot going on for the last few months, if you had not noticed.

Shiloh is one of our favorite places to visit. We had been there in a few years, so it was nice to be back. We were mainly looking to take it slow and easy on this trip. So after eating a picnic lunch out by the Tennessee River, we decided to walk along the Sunken Road. Here are a few photos from our walk.

A Scenic Walk

One of the reasons we love walking along the Sunken Road at Shiloh is because of views like this. Because this is such a beautiful scene, it is difficult to imagine that it was the site of a bloody Civil War battle. While that was an important part of our nation’s history, we mainly come here to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and to do some hiking outside in nature.

A split-rail fence runs along a large part of the Sunken Road at Shiloh. The fence does not actually keep anything in or out these days. However, it is an interesting photographic subject. And it is a recreation of the fence that was there during the battle, too. Plus, it makes me thankful for our modern fencing techniques, because our horses would knock that fence over in an instant.

Here is Laura with the fence behind her. While the fence is an interesting photographic subject, I think that Laura is an even more interesting photographic subject.

Into the Woods

After running beside the field in the previous photos, the Sunken Road then runs through a wooded area. I always like this picturesque bridge, which is even more picturesque with the fall leaves along the path. Many of the leaves had not yet changed color when we were there in October, but some of them had. I also like how they cut out a section of the fallen tree beyond the bridge so that the tree would not block the path.

Laura stops to read one of the interpretive signs along the road. The signs had been replaced since our previous trip, and it was good to see the upgrades that made it even easier to understand what went on. It might look like the sign was lighted, but it was actually just reflecting the sunlight back onto Laura.

You can find all sorts of monuments out in the woods, too. The monuments are usually set up where a particular regiment fought. This particular monument is for the 31st Infantry from Indiana. I like how it is surrounded by all of the trees.

As we walked back to where we had parked, I liked this view back down the Sunken Road. You can see a few other monuments along the road in the distance. And the field from the first photo is beyond the trees and to the left of the photo. No matter where you might find this road, it would be a beautiful scene.

And here is one more view of the Sunken Road. I might have saved the best for last here. Except that I have two more photos to share…

Two More

When we were almost back to the car, I decided to take a few more photos of Laura with the split-rail fence in the background. It was such a beautiful day out, and I had my lovely companion with me, so why not take a few more photos?

And here is one more. Is mostly the same as the previous photo, except in portrait orientation. Just for something different. And I shared both photos here because I like them both.

As you can see, it was a wonderful day to spend some time outside, and Shiloh was a great place to do that!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

About the Photos

For these photos, I did something that I do not usually do at Shiloh, or for most other trips like this one. I used the 50mm prime lens exclusively. That meant that there was no zooming in except by moving my feet to get closer to my subject. And I could not take wide-angle photos like I often do. But I liked the challenge, and I liked the depth of field that I got in these photos. If that were to be my only trip ever to Shiloh, I might have thought twice about that decision. But because we have been there many times before, I knew what was there, and I knew that I had several other photos from past trips, too. So just using that one lens was worth it.

Photo: Each photo is a single Raw exposure, processed in Luminar AI. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: SonyFE 50mm f/1.8
Date: October 8, 2021
Location: Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee