The eagle has landed!
Last leg to Massachusetts
Milford is a quaint , historic and lovely little town nearby, and we had dinner at an old Mill that has been converted. The Gray Towers mansion, otherwise known as Gifford Pinchot house, is here, but closed at 4, so we missed it again! Grounds are lovely for a walk.
A day of contrasts
We started a gorgeous day with bright blue skies and perfect temperatures at Hershey, a short drive away. The plan was to take the Trolley tour of the city, and visit Chocolate World, as we had been to the amusement park years ago with Chris, and didn't think we needed to do it again.
Has it changed!! It is now a huge complex, with all the attractions grouped together, and one huge parking lot, for which we figured we would pay dearly, even though it said the first three hours were free. Since you get the 75 minute trolley from inside the complex, that pretty much eliminates your chances for free parking!
I thought it might be fun to make our own flavor chocolate bar, but at $18, we figured a regular old chocolate bar would do just fine! Cute operation, though, and I watched those who participated having a good time.
 |
| Mostly children, but this couple got in on the fun! |
 |
| You choose your fillings, and create your wrapper, and it all comes in a metal box. |
Of the two trolley tours available, we chose the longer one, which toured the city, and provided the history of Milton Hershey and his candy, which proved very informative and interesting. If you read the back of your chocolate bar, you will see it says the purchase helps to educate children, and indeed it does! He founded, and continues to support, through a trust, boys who could not otherwise afford an education, by providing schools and housing. While suffering several failures in the beginning of his career, which started with Lancaster Caramels, he obtained great success, and created a building boom, which resulted in no lost jobs during the great depression , provided housing for his workers, and this amazing school project. He basically built a model town to meet the basic, cultural, and recreational needs of his factory workers. Even the amusement park was part of that plan. A great story. And a fun fact....the towns legal name was, and continues to be, Derry Township, but is commonly known as Hershey, because of this huge enterprise.
 |
| Streets, stores and hotels bear "sweet names" |
 |
| The street lights look like candy kisses, but I could not get a shot. We were advised they were "light" chocolate....and when they burn out, they are "dark" chocolate! Groan! |
 |
| Bad shot out the window, but such a pretty little town, with well tended yards, and pretty flowers! Daisies seem to be a favorite, as they were everywhere, though the roses were also very prominent. |
 |
| Hershey Park with a couple of new high fall rides, and the old wooden roller coaster. |
 |
| One of the schools up on the hill was quite stunning, and an eye catcher from afar. |
 |
| Huge blooms on the hydrangeas! |
After the park, I had planned an antique car museum, but we had missed the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg yesterday, so we decided to head back there with what time we had left, and do the cars another time.
The National Civil War Museum reflects the war from both sides, and proved very interesting. So much to see and read, and very interesting videos playing throughout, with actors playing real people who left diaries or letters, and therefore representing what they were feeling as the war approached and was fought, and after, through Lincoln's assassination, and reconstruction. I learned that there was a Blue and Grey Reunion 50 years after the end of the war, where veterans from both sides, came and shared a meal and shook hands. That video was amazing! We spent several hours, even just hitting the highlights.
 |
| Union cavalry....... |
 |
| ........and Confederate Cavalry. |
 |
| The first for African Americans, and many immigrants as well. |
 |
| A war of many firsts, this was the first time Taps was used, as we learned from the bugle demonstration at Petersburg. |
 |
| The drummers were often young boys, and a 10 year old has been documented! |
 |
| and the generals from both sides..... |
 |
| Women played supportive roles as nurses and by running the family business, and this, more than anything, led to suffrage. |
 |
Many firsts including the first income tax! |
 |
| This was a great interactive, where you could select questions for not only Lincoln, but people like James Wilkes Booth and Genral U.S. Grant, and actors playing the parts would answer. |
We headed back to the coach to feed the kitties and relax after a busy day!
A bit chilly this morning!
A bit of indecision starts our day!
Tuesday, June 27
We did not spend the night in Maryland as planned, and the morning found us debating visiting some nearby Maryland towns......have to get that hole filled on my map!.......or moving on. The decision is made to move on, and do the areas of Maryland we really want to see at another time...maybe even on our return. Some research turned up some pretty interesting things in the Scranton area, which is on the route, but Clem was not able to find a good campsite, so I suggest an alternate route. Harrisburg turned out to be our destination, though not far, and we made the short drive, and still had time to go into the city and explore the amazing Pennsylvania State Capital.
An outstanding building, constructed in the early 1900's at a cost of $15million dollars!! A lot of money even now, but it is filled with gold leaf, unique marble, stained glass domes, and chandeliers weighing literally tons each! A female artist was commissioned to do the art throughout, which was astounding for the time, and a plaque in the floor marks the spot where Theodore Roosevelt stood to dedicate the building in 1909.
The House was in session, and we were allowed to go in and observe how they do business for a while, which was interesting. Because they were in session, no photos were allowed in that room, which had amazing chandeliers, and beautiful paintings.
A few photos, which cannot do it justice:
The third capital building we have visited, and by far the most ornate. I asked our docent if he knew how it compared to others in the country, to which he responded, among the top three. I can't imagine one more ornate than this! I told Clem we should make a goal to see all of them! We have a passport book for National Parks, and President's libraries, why not the state capitals?
We had an early dinner out at what is ranked the number one restaurant in Harrisburg, Gabriellas.
When we were seated, we noticed them setting up large tables in the back room.....for the members of the House, who come for dinner after session! They must have been enjoying happy hour, as they were just trickling in as we left!
While we have been having some lunches out, I realized, this is our first dinner out on this trip!
We returned to our nicely wooded campsite, and took a walk in the beautiful cool air! Such a pleasant spot, and such a beautiful evening.
We chatted with our newly arrived neighbors who are returning home to Connecticut with a beautiful new coach they just bought in Florida. Their third coach, they have traveled all over the country, and will spend a month in Florida next winter. And a really nice young Army Sargent, husband of the woman working in the office, responded to Clem's call about fuzzy cable, and we ended up chatting with him for a while. Always interesting to hear people's stories! During his career with the service he has had to move every two years, and finally fell upon this lifestyle of living in a 5th wheel, which allows him to just hook up and move, and not have to get settled again! Now, why didn't WE think of that??
I think we will definitely need a blanket tonight, as I sit here with windows open, and feel the chill! Good sleeping weather!
Highland Campground, Harrisburg, PA
We did not spend the night in Maryland as planned, and the morning found us debating visiting some nearby Maryland towns......have to get that hole filled on my map!.......or moving on. The decision is made to move on, and do the areas of Maryland we really want to see at another time...maybe even on our return. Some research turned up some pretty interesting things in the Scranton area, which is on the route, but Clem was not able to find a good campsite, so I suggest an alternate route. Harrisburg turned out to be our destination, though not far, and we made the short drive, and still had time to go into the city and explore the amazing Pennsylvania State Capital.
An outstanding building, constructed in the early 1900's at a cost of $15million dollars!! A lot of money even now, but it is filled with gold leaf, unique marble, stained glass domes, and chandeliers weighing literally tons each! A female artist was commissioned to do the art throughout, which was astounding for the time, and a plaque in the floor marks the spot where Theodore Roosevelt stood to dedicate the building in 1909.
The House was in session, and we were allowed to go in and observe how they do business for a while, which was interesting. Because they were in session, no photos were allowed in that room, which had amazing chandeliers, and beautiful paintings.
A few photos, which cannot do it justice:
 |
| Stained glass dome in Senate |
 |
| Dome in Main Rotunda |
 |
| Chandeliers in House weigh 4 1/2 tons each! |
The third capital building we have visited, and by far the most ornate. I asked our docent if he knew how it compared to others in the country, to which he responded, among the top three. I can't imagine one more ornate than this! I told Clem we should make a goal to see all of them! We have a passport book for National Parks, and President's libraries, why not the state capitals?
We had an early dinner out at what is ranked the number one restaurant in Harrisburg, Gabriellas.
When we were seated, we noticed them setting up large tables in the back room.....for the members of the House, who come for dinner after session! They must have been enjoying happy hour, as they were just trickling in as we left!
While we have been having some lunches out, I realized, this is our first dinner out on this trip!
We returned to our nicely wooded campsite, and took a walk in the beautiful cool air! Such a pleasant spot, and such a beautiful evening.
We chatted with our newly arrived neighbors who are returning home to Connecticut with a beautiful new coach they just bought in Florida. Their third coach, they have traveled all over the country, and will spend a month in Florida next winter. And a really nice young Army Sargent, husband of the woman working in the office, responded to Clem's call about fuzzy cable, and we ended up chatting with him for a while. Always interesting to hear people's stories! During his career with the service he has had to move every two years, and finally fell upon this lifestyle of living in a 5th wheel, which allows him to just hook up and move, and not have to get settled again! Now, why didn't WE think of that??
I think we will definitely need a blanket tonight, as I sit here with windows open, and feel the chill! Good sleeping weather!
Highland Campground, Harrisburg, PA
Mountains!
The Terrain changed markedly near Charlottesville, as I rounded a corner and a stretch of mountains appeared, a sign warning of steep grade, and trucks should take note. That of course includes us! Even with that big Diesel engine pushing from behind, steep grades can bog us down. I stay in the right lane anyway, but in these situations, it is a must. I still encounter trucks going slower, flashers blinking, and have to make the decision to fall in line, or pass them. But if I slow too much, that is my fate for the rest of the grade!! Great torque.....not so much acceleration power!
This was a very long, and therefor deceiving incline, leading to beautiful vistas of the Blue Ridge mountains, and I wish I could have gotten some photos! Can't convince my copilot to do that! I need a dash cam!
There is so much beauty along the roads, and often not a place to stop. But that is the advantage of road travel over air....your eyes get to take it all in!
As we were getting closer to our destination stop over, Clem said, I think we have stayed here before! As I pulled in, I asked, then why are we here again?? Not such a great campsite, and I asked him to make note not to do it again! And the worst part is we are short of the Maryland line, which was the goal! Admittedly, I want to add a sticker to my map! Oh, but the air!!! It is cool and dry, and we have a giant tree shading our site, so it is nice to sit outside and have a cool drink and talk about plans for our final leg to Boston, as this stretch was not planned.
Sent from my iPhone
Falling Waters Campground, Hagerstown, VA.
This was a very long, and therefor deceiving incline, leading to beautiful vistas of the Blue Ridge mountains, and I wish I could have gotten some photos! Can't convince my copilot to do that! I need a dash cam!
There is so much beauty along the roads, and often not a place to stop. But that is the advantage of road travel over air....your eyes get to take it all in!
As we were getting closer to our destination stop over, Clem said, I think we have stayed here before! As I pulled in, I asked, then why are we here again?? Not such a great campsite, and I asked him to make note not to do it again! And the worst part is we are short of the Maryland line, which was the goal! Admittedly, I want to add a sticker to my map! Oh, but the air!!! It is cool and dry, and we have a giant tree shading our site, so it is nice to sit outside and have a cool drink and talk about plans for our final leg to Boston, as this stretch was not planned.
 |
| Thought some chocolate dipped strawberries might hit the spot tonight! |
Falling Waters Campground, Hagerstown, VA.
Travel Day and driver and navigator photos!
 |
| Does this make me look...........small?? :-) |
 |
| Your navigator for this trip..... |
 |
| ......and your driver! |
What an interesting and enjoyable Sunday in Richmond, VA!
Decided to drive into Richmond and see some things we had not seen on our previous trip, starting with the Virginia Museum of Art. Wow!! What a gem! One of the best I have seen, and I am so glad I convinced Clem to go.
Varied permanent exhibits covering periods in art, including furnishings from Art Deco and Art Nouveau, a concise but very neat exhibit of the different areas of Native Americans, and on and on!
And the grounds were beautiful, with Chihuly glass in the stream and beautiful gardens, all contained in a square comprised of various historical buildings including a Confederate Chapel and a a home for destitute Confederate widows, and once home to a hospital and housing for confederate soldiers.
I debated a special exhibit of Yves St. Laurent, and was glad I left Clem to sit in the lobby while I went myself! It was very good, and I would have kicked myself had I missed it!
Next stop was the Virginia State Capital Building. On advice from others, we took the docent tour, and it was very interesting. Our docent, a retired elementary school teacher, sure knew her history, and was very interested in politics, so it bogged down sometimes, but was very informative. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the first of its kind in the New World, with stately columns like the Roman or Greek. Interesting to note, that of all the things Jefferson accomplished, he wanted his tomb stone to read just a few, including founding the University of Virginia, and designing that building. The US Capital building and many others are patterned after his work, which , by the way, was self taught!
A beautiful statue greets visitors to the complex.
 |
| The center part is the original building, the sides added later. |
Then and now.... |
| Thomas Jefferson, designer of the Capital Building. |
 |
| George Washington, who Jefferson idolized. |
Home to a nice grilled pork chop dinner in the cooler air....nothing like grilled anything to eat al fresco!
 |
| A very interesting "camper" little house we spotted walking around the park! Clem said too small even for camping! |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)