The rains had gone thru last night and we woke up to wet ground and overcast skies. But ... no rain. We had been debating about going to Philadelphia for a week. Today seemed like a good day to do it. It was around 100 miles one way, but what the heck. We walked, watered and fed Charlie, left her in the motor home and headed for Philly. We almost caught up to the storm front on our way East on the PA Pike.
On the way in to Philly, we passed one Harley Davidson Dealership ... a mortal sin, I think. But, we did stop at Valley Forge Harley Davidson and spent a little cash. It seems that we stop at almost every H-D Store we pass along the way. This Biking hobby is a little on the expensive side, when you have to buy at least two of everything :)
What a city !!! Traffic like crazy, narrow streets and zillions of people. Residents, visitors and just tourists all over the place. Fortunately, it was only in the 70's most of the day. After driving around the “Independence Square” area for a half hour, Nancy spotted a parking space only One Block from Independence Hall. It took quarters and all we had were five quarters... good for 1 hour & 15 minutes. We wondered around with the crowd looking lost. A little old lady overheard me query where do we go to see the “Liberty Bell”? She yelled at me to get my attention and said “get in that line, It's Free”. A half hour later, after security checking and searching of Nancy's purse, we actually got to see the “Liberty Bell” ... The real McCoy. And it was free, too.
Then we asked a guy how much a buggy ride was. $30for 20 minutes, $40 for a ½ hour including around “Society Hill”. We finished the Horse & Buggy ride and our time was up on the meter. Nancy hurried to the car. The meter was expired, but NO Ticket ... Hooray.
We had asked the buggy driver where to get a real Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich. He said the ONLY real one was at “Pat's Steaks” on 10th & Pashiank. Thank God for our GPS. We would have been soooo lost so many times without it it is unbelievable. We found Pats after blocks and blocks of one-way streets with cars parked on both sides of the streets and only room for one car down the center of the street. Two blocks and a stop sign again and again. Gino's is kitty corner from Pats and the guy behind us in line coached us on how to place our order Philly style. Wit is with onions, name your kind of cheese or you get cheese-whiz. Nancy got hers wit & wit American. Mine was wit & wit 'shrooms. I forgot to say what kind of cheese fast enough and got cheese whiz. It was still pretty good. That guy behind us in line had driven over from Camden, NJ just for a cheese steak sandwich. He says Pat's is definitely better than Gino's, but there were similar length lines at both places. It was a zoo, but a lot of fun all the same
. After that, we headed back toward Hershey and our motor home. Nancy really wanted to go back to a little shop in Amish Country she had tried to buy out a couple of days ago, So we made a little side trip thru Amish Country. Back roads, farm roads, little cross roads towns, all under the direction of our trusty GPS. I don't think some of those roads are on Pennsylvania's road maps. Found the little shop in Intercourse, PA. Virginia may be for Lovers, but Pennsylvanians have Intercourse. Nancy got the thingy that she forgot a couple of days ago. Then we went home and had a cocktail and played with Charlie. What a day!!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Last night it rained almost all night long. At times the rain came down so hard it woke me up. Think of rain on a tin roof. The pitter patter sounded all night long.
This morning Tom and Nancy headed to the rec center so Nancy could start posting her blog. She had to start with the 11th. Of July and go on from there. Tom downloaded the photos they had taken so far and Nancy then went to work typing and trying to remember all that they had done. Not easy when your as old as we are!
This afternoon we were thinking of just settling down and reading a good book. The rain was still with us so we could not tour like we wanted. But, what the heck, the tour of Hershey Chocolate World was free and not to far from where we were camped. So, off we went for the tour. We arrived in Hershey and tried to drive where the GPS sent us, but alas the streets have changed somewhat and we had to follow the signs. Arriving at Hershey World, came be quite intimidating. They have an amusement park, gardens and factory tours all with the same entrance.
When we parked we entered into the Chocolate World complex. The smell of chocolate was everywhere and you just had your mouth watering all the time. We asked where the tour was and a guide pointed up the ramp and said go right in. Well, I thought we would tour the real factory when in fact you head up the ramp and it is made to look like your traveling thru a cocoa plantation. When we arrived at the top of the ramp, we were loaded unto a car like at Disney World and headed into a mock up of what a factory tour would be like. That is talking cows, and television screens explaining the whole process to us. When you finish the ride, you enter the chocolate shop and can purchase anything Hershey makes. You might even find a chocolate shirt if you look hard enough.
After the tour it was still raining and we found the outlets of Hershey to kill some more time. Then we headed homeward bound. Still an enjoyable day.
This morning Tom and Nancy headed to the rec center so Nancy could start posting her blog. She had to start with the 11th. Of July and go on from there. Tom downloaded the photos they had taken so far and Nancy then went to work typing and trying to remember all that they had done. Not easy when your as old as we are!
This afternoon we were thinking of just settling down and reading a good book. The rain was still with us so we could not tour like we wanted. But, what the heck, the tour of Hershey Chocolate World was free and not to far from where we were camped. So, off we went for the tour. We arrived in Hershey and tried to drive where the GPS sent us, but alas the streets have changed somewhat and we had to follow the signs. Arriving at Hershey World, came be quite intimidating. They have an amusement park, gardens and factory tours all with the same entrance.
When we parked we entered into the Chocolate World complex. The smell of chocolate was everywhere and you just had your mouth watering all the time. We asked where the tour was and a guide pointed up the ramp and said go right in. Well, I thought we would tour the real factory when in fact you head up the ramp and it is made to look like your traveling thru a cocoa plantation. When we arrived at the top of the ramp, we were loaded unto a car like at Disney World and headed into a mock up of what a factory tour would be like. That is talking cows, and television screens explaining the whole process to us. When you finish the ride, you enter the chocolate shop and can purchase anything Hershey makes. You might even find a chocolate shirt if you look hard enough.
After the tour it was still raining and we found the outlets of Hershey to kill some more time. Then we headed homeward bound. Still an enjoyable day.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A great day, Nancy gets up and all traces of the ill effects of her itching are gone.
We debate on if we should stay home or go back and do the auto tour of Gettysburg. Well, the auto tour won and so back to Gettysburg. TAking the audio tour is great. The tour we took is from the most noted civil war local historian in Gettysburg. We listen to the tape to find our way around and at the same time learn about the civil war. It covers a huge area in respects that the battle of Gettysburg is in an area roughly 25 square miles and took three days time. It was a bloody battle.
We debate on if we should stay home or go back and do the auto tour of Gettysburg. Well, the auto tour won and so back to Gettysburg. TAking the audio tour is great. The tour we took is from the most noted civil war local historian in Gettysburg. We listen to the tape to find our way around and at the same time learn about the civil war. It covers a huge area in respects that the battle of Gettysburg is in an area roughly 25 square miles and took three days time. It was a bloody battle.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Look out York, here we come. Today we tour the York Harley Davidson Plant. This is where both our motorcycles are made. We arrive at the plant around 10:15 and the next tour is at 10:30. They have lots of stuff to look at during your wait.
Our tour time is called and we head into a movie theatre to view a film about Harley Davidson company. Then we learn that the new 2009 motorcycles are on the assembly line so we won't get that part of the tour. Bummer, that is what we really wanted to see. We did find out it takes two hours to make a Harley. We did tour the parts part of the plant, but not what we wanted to see.
We think a nice lunch would be good. We find a nice Chinesse buffet for lunch. We both love Chinesse food, so we have a big meal.
Leaving the area to head home after a little time, Tom pulls over to let Nancy drive home. Nancy itches a little, but does not think anything of it. When we arrive back at the RV Nancy looks at herself as she is really itchy now. Wow, she is broken out over all her torso, and down on her legs and arms, some. Nancy takes a cold shower to see if that will help, it does relieve the itching some, but not enough. We love the GPS as we type in Walmart and find one about 5 miles away. It is there we head to and find benedryl creame and liquid. When we get into the parking lot Nancy takes a swig of the bottle and hopes it will start calming the itching down some.
By bedtime Nancy is still broken out-some of the areas that were early in breaking out are going down, but new ones are coming. We know where the hospital is if we need to go, but hope the medicine and creme will work. Only time will tell.
Our tour time is called and we head into a movie theatre to view a film about Harley Davidson company. Then we learn that the new 2009 motorcycles are on the assembly line so we won't get that part of the tour. Bummer, that is what we really wanted to see. We did find out it takes two hours to make a Harley. We did tour the parts part of the plant, but not what we wanted to see.
We think a nice lunch would be good. We find a nice Chinesse buffet for lunch. We both love Chinesse food, so we have a big meal.
Leaving the area to head home after a little time, Tom pulls over to let Nancy drive home. Nancy itches a little, but does not think anything of it. When we arrive back at the RV Nancy looks at herself as she is really itchy now. Wow, she is broken out over all her torso, and down on her legs and arms, some. Nancy takes a cold shower to see if that will help, it does relieve the itching some, but not enough. We love the GPS as we type in Walmart and find one about 5 miles away. It is there we head to and find benedryl creame and liquid. When we get into the parking lot Nancy takes a swig of the bottle and hopes it will start calming the itching down some.
By bedtime Nancy is still broken out-some of the areas that were early in breaking out are going down, but new ones are coming. We know where the hospital is if we need to go, but hope the medicine and creme will work. Only time will tell.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
This was the day to just stay near the campsite and relax. Nancy did laundry, Tom took the computer to the recreation center and downloaded his e-mail. Nancy kept coming up from the laundry room and downloaded her e-mail also.
It was very hot today. We had thought about going swimming, but the pool was loaded with kids. We thought it best to wait until during the week.
Tom made new steps for our motorhome. We had them quit working back in the Carolinas so instead of trying to find someone to fix them, we just made a new two step out of wood and then painted them. Works just fine and we don't have to wonder if the motor burned out or if it was just a fuse we could not find that blew.
All in all a relaxing day.
It was very hot today. We had thought about going swimming, but the pool was loaded with kids. We thought it best to wait until during the week.
Tom made new steps for our motorhome. We had them quit working back in the Carolinas so instead of trying to find someone to fix them, we just made a new two step out of wood and then painted them. Works just fine and we don't have to wonder if the motor burned out or if it was just a fuse we could not find that blew.
All in all a relaxing day.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Today we thought we just might spend the day loafing around the campground. But, we thought we had time to find the cities of Bird in Hand and Intercourse, PA. They are both located in Lancaster County, and are heavily settled by Mennonites and Amish.
We arrive at Bird in Hand and head towards the bakery. June told me that they had wonderful raisin bread. We did not find any raisin bread, but did purchase shoo-fly pie and a breakfast bread.
We went into Farmer's Market and it was full of everything a family would want. They had everything from crafts to fresh food. WE had already eaten so lunch was not to be had here, but everything smelled good.
From here we went east to Intercourse and found the Kitchen Kettle. It is a huge outdoor mall like setting. It has many quaint shops along the walkway. Tom and Charley stayed by the car while Nancy went shopping. It was late in the day when we left, with hopes of returning another day.
We arrive at Bird in Hand and head towards the bakery. June told me that they had wonderful raisin bread. We did not find any raisin bread, but did purchase shoo-fly pie and a breakfast bread.
We went into Farmer's Market and it was full of everything a family would want. They had everything from crafts to fresh food. WE had already eaten so lunch was not to be had here, but everything smelled good.
From here we went east to Intercourse and found the Kitchen Kettle. It is a huge outdoor mall like setting. It has many quaint shops along the walkway. Tom and Charley stayed by the car while Nancy went shopping. It was late in the day when we left, with hopes of returning another day.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Great, we are finally here and get to tour like we have wanted to for the past two years. Today we are heading towards, Gettysburg.
Arriving in Gettysburg, we find the visitor center. Wow, this looks new (it was new April 2008). We take in the movie about the civil war and why this was such an important battle in the civil war. Then we tour the museum. This takes us the rest of the day. We see flags of the time, then we see the clothing for the armies of the confederacy and union. Also many kinds of firearms used during the civil war.
This is really great. The museum was everything we thought it would be and more. When we ask staff at the museum bookstore, they guide us to the cd audio tour and we purchase this so we can come back and take the audio tour some other day.
Arriving in Gettysburg, we find the visitor center. Wow, this looks new (it was new April 2008). We take in the movie about the civil war and why this was such an important battle in the civil war. Then we tour the museum. This takes us the rest of the day. We see flags of the time, then we see the clothing for the armies of the confederacy and union. Also many kinds of firearms used during the civil war.
This is really great. The museum was everything we thought it would be and more. When we ask staff at the museum bookstore, they guide us to the cd audio tour and we purchase this so we can come back and take the audio tour some other day.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Well this is the day, we leave D.C. and head for Hershey, PA. This will be an easy day of driving we have about 2 hours time and we will be there. We leave D.C. after morning rush hour. When we get close to Thousand Trails/Hershey we get the directions out. We travel into Harrisburg (the capital) and then east towards Hershey. The campground is actually outside of Campbelltown, PA It is well marked and we don't have any trouble find the campground.
We pick out a campsite it is in the back of the campground, and partly into the side of a hill. Our nearest camper is about 50-60 feet away. The back of the campsite is the hill and it goes up about 150 feet behind us. It is probably one of the best campsites you would ever want to have.
We settle in as we will be here until the 31st. of the month. We put out the awning, the floor mat, chairs and just make it our home for the next two weeks time.
We find time to get into the car and explore the area, before settling down for the night.
We pick out a campsite it is in the back of the campground, and partly into the side of a hill. Our nearest camper is about 50-60 feet away. The back of the campsite is the hill and it goes up about 150 feet behind us. It is probably one of the best campsites you would ever want to have.
We settle in as we will be here until the 31st. of the month. We put out the awning, the floor mat, chairs and just make it our home for the next two weeks time.
We find time to get into the car and explore the area, before settling down for the night.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
This is our last day in the area. We think it fitting to travel into the Virginia countryside and head towards skyline drive. WE head west our of the D.C. area and find gently rolling hills. This are would be great to be riding our bikes, but we thought it wise to bring the car this time around.
We drive into the coutryside, yes, Charley is with us. She just loves riding in the motorhome and the car, so when our day is driving or when we know it will be mostly riding, we take her with us.
We find skyline drive and they want to charge us for using the road. What is this? we can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and there is no charge, so why the charge here? They can't tell us, so we find back roads and head back to the motorhome.
On the way back we find we are in rush hour traffic, whoa this is nothing like we have ever seen before. And just where did they find their drivers licenses? out of a cracker jack box???
We drive into the coutryside, yes, Charley is with us. She just loves riding in the motorhome and the car, so when our day is driving or when we know it will be mostly riding, we take her with us.
We find skyline drive and they want to charge us for using the road. What is this? we can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and there is no charge, so why the charge here? They can't tell us, so we find back roads and head back to the motorhome.
On the way back we find we are in rush hour traffic, whoa this is nothing like we have ever seen before. And just where did they find their drivers licenses? out of a cracker jack box???
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
This is the day we learn to travel the bus and metro system in Washington D.C. area. We are a little intimidated by the whole sound of traversing the system. Luckily when we board the bus at the RV park we find a couple who had gone into D.C. the day before and they helped us find our way. We went from the bus station to the metro station. When we boarded the train we were told how to find the transfer for our return trip, how to get off from the green train and find the red train and take it to Union Station. WE did all right because we got to where we needed to go and purchase tickets for the Grey Line tour. We opted for the land/boat tour of the area.
This is really cool, we are on a double decker open topped bus. We figure that is a great way to be able to snap our photos. And snap photos is what Nancy did. Tom took a few but Nancy just would not let her camera sit still for long. When we had traveled into D.C. on Sunday we did not know all that we had seen, but on the bus tour we found out just what we had seen, and a lot more.
We traveled to the Smithsoian Institution, Air and Space Museum. The Smithsoian is really a lot of different museums, in many buildings. We stopped and took a look see before returning to the tour bus.
Then we had to travel the route again as we needed to get off in Georgetown for our boat ride down the Potomac. From our many years of boating, we know just how different a city can look from the water vs. the land. So, we did enjoy our boat ride. We got to see Watergate, and the Kennedy Center for the Arts from the water.
When we got off the boat it was a long two city blocks uphill to catch our bus. I ran on ahead hopefully so we would not have a long wait to catch the bus. Good thing I did, as the bus was just ready to leave the stop, but waited for us and about 10 others on the tour.
When we returned to Union Station we were on our own to find our way back on the metro/bus system. Thank goodness we paid special attention to our friends earlier in the day as we had no trouble catching the red line and changing onto the green line and then the bus back to Cherry Hill RV park.
This is really cool, we are on a double decker open topped bus. We figure that is a great way to be able to snap our photos. And snap photos is what Nancy did. Tom took a few but Nancy just would not let her camera sit still for long. When we had traveled into D.C. on Sunday we did not know all that we had seen, but on the bus tour we found out just what we had seen, and a lot more.
We traveled to the Smithsoian Institution, Air and Space Museum. The Smithsoian is really a lot of different museums, in many buildings. We stopped and took a look see before returning to the tour bus.
Then we had to travel the route again as we needed to get off in Georgetown for our boat ride down the Potomac. From our many years of boating, we know just how different a city can look from the water vs. the land. So, we did enjoy our boat ride. We got to see Watergate, and the Kennedy Center for the Arts from the water.
When we got off the boat it was a long two city blocks uphill to catch our bus. I ran on ahead hopefully so we would not have a long wait to catch the bus. Good thing I did, as the bus was just ready to leave the stop, but waited for us and about 10 others on the tour.
When we returned to Union Station we were on our own to find our way back on the metro/bus system. Thank goodness we paid special attention to our friends earlier in the day as we had no trouble catching the red line and changing onto the green line and then the bus back to Cherry Hill RV park.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Today we decide to travel out to Annapolis, MD. We drive east on the beltway and then on a parkway. We head into Annapolis and see an old city. I guess growing up in the mid-west we just don't realize some of the everyday sites that one sees on the east coast. We pass by old cities, buildings and houses that flatter the eye. Why I don't remember seeing this when we lived in the area? Well, I guess it would be that Tom was only an E-2 in the Army and a base pay of $95.20 per month did not give us the opportunity to see the country. If it was free, we did it, if not, ....!
We drive by the Naval Academy, getting to view this from behind a barbed wire fence. Remember when we could drive onto the army posts, naval bases and air force bases? Well, that ceased long ago (9/11/2001?).
Annapolis was a lovely city, worth a lot more time than what we gave it.
We left Annapolis and headed east, on the Bay Bridge. What a beautiful sight it was too. We drove down into the coastal region and found a marvelous little fresh fish diner at a place called Knapp's Landings. We stopped and had wonderful eats right in a fishing harbor on the Cheaspeake Bay. Talk about having a great time, we sure did.
We stopped by a little roadside stand and bought fresh corn on the cob to have for dinner. When we arrived back at the campsite we had the corn, a steak and a salad. Is this life great of what?
We drive by the Naval Academy, getting to view this from behind a barbed wire fence. Remember when we could drive onto the army posts, naval bases and air force bases? Well, that ceased long ago (9/11/2001?).
Annapolis was a lovely city, worth a lot more time than what we gave it.
We left Annapolis and headed east, on the Bay Bridge. What a beautiful sight it was too. We drove down into the coastal region and found a marvelous little fresh fish diner at a place called Knapp's Landings. We stopped and had wonderful eats right in a fishing harbor on the Cheaspeake Bay. Talk about having a great time, we sure did.
We stopped by a little roadside stand and bought fresh corn on the cob to have for dinner. When we arrived back at the campsite we had the corn, a steak and a salad. Is this life great of what?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Today we got an early start. Wanted to find our campground and get settled early in the day. We arrived before noontime and set up camp. This campground is marvelous! We back up to some woods and we have neighbors near, but not so near that you feel you are on top of each other.
This afternoon we take our auto and travel into D.C. We find so much has changed since our last time in D.C (around 1966)! It is a city of ever changing things and places to see.
We did manage to find our way around enough to drive past 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When we lived in D.C. area back in 1966 - we could stop and park in front of the White House, but now you drive by, don't stop and snap photos as you're traveling by.
Then we headed to the Lincoln Memorial. On the way we pasted the Vietnam Memorial and also WWII Memorial. Then we headed out to Arlington National Cemetery. We can remember when Fritz was stationed at Andrews A.F.B and had duty in the area. We did a lot of touring in the car and then headed back to our campsite.
A fun day and lots of excitement for us. Can't wait to take a tour and see and hear more of our capital city. Such an interesting place to visit. But during the week, we would NEVER think of driving into the city. We will take the buses and metro system.
This afternoon we take our auto and travel into D.C. We find so much has changed since our last time in D.C (around 1966)! It is a city of ever changing things and places to see.
We did manage to find our way around enough to drive past 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When we lived in D.C. area back in 1966 - we could stop and park in front of the White House, but now you drive by, don't stop and snap photos as you're traveling by.
Then we headed to the Lincoln Memorial. On the way we pasted the Vietnam Memorial and also WWII Memorial. Then we headed out to Arlington National Cemetery. We can remember when Fritz was stationed at Andrews A.F.B and had duty in the area. We did a lot of touring in the car and then headed back to our campsite.
A fun day and lots of excitement for us. Can't wait to take a tour and see and hear more of our capital city. Such an interesting place to visit. But during the week, we would NEVER think of driving into the city. We will take the buses and metro system.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Today, was a travel day. Leaving St. George heading north towards the Washington D.C. area. We stopped short of D.C. and stayed on the north side of Richmond, VA. Found a nice campground just off the x-way, so that tomorrow would be a short day. We called ahead and made reservations in College Park, MD. at the Cherry Hill RV campground for the next 4 nights.
We got to stop early in the day today. Was nice to have a short day. We know when we leave here our day will be short. Would not minding coming back to this campground as it is near historical places from the confederacy. Hopefully we might get the chance.
We got to stop early in the day today. Was nice to have a short day. We know when we leave here our day will be short. Would not minding coming back to this campground as it is near historical places from the confederacy. Hopefully we might get the chance.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Well, we did get to start our travels today. Tom had jury duty on the 10th. so we weren't sure we would be able to start when we had wanted to. Our start was at 8:30 a.m. We had hoped to pull out earlier, but we just did not make it. We headed up I-75 northbound until north of Tampa when we left the x-way and drove on U.S. 301 to I-10 near Jacksonville. From Jacksonville we traveled on I-95. Smooth sailing all the way. Hardly any construction zones, and what few we had we flew through fast. We got all the way into S.Carolina before stopping for the evening. Our first evening we stopped in St. George, S.C. We did 543 miles! Wow, what a day.
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