Hershey, PA - The Sweetest Place on Earth

Last Thursday I left for a long girls weekend in Hershey, PA.  Most people don't think of this as a vacation destination but since I started working for Hershey's, I have heard from many people that I must go there so I decided ok, let's do this thing. I convinced some old neighbors from MN that they must go there too. 

Outside our cottage Mt. Gretna, PA

We stayed in a cottage that I found online.  The cottage was in Mount Gretna which was about 25 miles from the Harrisburg airport, about 10 miles from Hershey and about 20 miles from the Amish.  The countryside in PA is beautiful, rolling hills, there are lots of small sleepy towns along the roads, filled with old homes which are manicured and full of fall blooms.

Bird-in-Hand, PA

Friday morning we headed to Hershey.  Our day started with a trolley ride which takes you throughout the city and we really learned a lot about Mr. Hershey and what he did for the community.   At Chocolate World, we went thru a virtual factory tour, saw a 4D mystery movie, made our own candy bars and even had a taste testing.  Chocolate World is really well done, the events are well timed so you have plenty of time to spend lots of money is the ginourmous gift shop.  There is chocolate everywhere, items to go with chocolate and lots of stuff you never thought had anything to do with chocolate.

Arrival at Chocolate World

Made our own candy bars

Inside Hotel Hershey we ran into a candy bar

Beautiful day in Hershey PA

Saturday morning we headed for Amish country.  Lancaster, PA has the second largest population of Amish in the nation.  We started out touring an old Amish homestead which has been turned into a tourist attraction.  I fell in love with Bella the baby goat.

Begging Bella to come home with me

We walked the grounds and then took another bus tour which showed us all kinds of Amish homes which are sprinkled thru out the countryside.  The bus stopped for soft pretzels.  I believe it was the best pretzel I have ever had in my life.  We saw lots of horses and buggies right alongside cars and trucks, Target and other stores have hitching posts outside for them.  It is really an area where old meets new and everyone seems to get along just fine. 

I'm pretty happy with my bonnet selection

We had an authentic Amish dinner, did more shopping in Bird-in-Hand and topped off the day in Intercourse.  I never saw so many things with the word "Intercourse" on it.  These Amish thought of everything.

We had a great time, beautiful weather, lots of laughs and  girl time.  It truly was the Sweetest Place on Earth.  Margaret

Let's Get it Started

The kitchen is now done.  Gary got all the cabinets in place, the appliances are working and ready to go, the kitchen island is nailed to the floor, the countertops are ready to be filled.  It has been a big project but kitchens always are.  So now we are moving on to the bedrooms.  Or a bathroom or two.  Not sure but we did pick up two bathroom vanities last week so we are pretty excited about getting those in, just not sure what order we're going in. 

With all the rain we have been having here in SW Florida, we had to plan an early afternoon pool party for the birthday boy.  We gathered some neighbors, did a lot of swimming, played games, ate lots of chips and cheese and burgers, don't forget the cake and ice cream, and were able to have all this fun before the skies opened up at 6 pm.  Just in time for everyone to go home. 

We are used to celebrating Gary's birthday on Labor Day Weekend and this year it falls right on the holiday.  I asked Gary where he wanted to go for his birthday and we all know the answer to that.  Hooters.  You would think that is the only restaurant in the state.  He loves those chicken wings.

    
Back to reality tomorrow with the rest of the country.  Its been a long hot weekend, we've been busy with working, golf, partying, and of course Hooters.  Its been a great birthday weekend.  Margaret