Friday, July 23
The Oregon crew arrived into Philly. Karl went to get them and I took the kids direct from Newark up to Hershey. We arrived at the same time into Chocolate town and ate lunch at Red Robin. After lunch we got to our condo, the Suites at Hershey . Our room was gorgeous with two rooms with their own bathroom. Quickly we went to the pool to cool off and then to the shopping outlets right next to us. Early to bed for everyone since it was a long day of traveling.
Saturday, July 24
Since the weather was going to be in the 100s (YES!!! 105 was the temperature), we decided to go to the Indian Echo Caverns, where it's always 52 degrees. Very nice on this hot day. The location of our condo was close to everything. We got to the caverns in 15 minutes. the kids got to play on the playground and then off into the caverns. We learned alot about them. After a hour or so, we headed back to our condo for Luke's afternoon nap. Carlita was back in the pool with Grandpa and Karl and I went to the outlets to shop a little bit. Aunt Fran then arrived in time for dinner and we planned out our next day's adventures. Kids to bed and some card playing for the adults.
Sunday, July 25
Today, again was going to be a HOT day up into the 100 plus degrees so we decided to go to the Antique Auto Club of America Museum . There we saw Betty White's Cadillac, the total collection of fords, the bus from Foresst Gump, and Muscle cars. the kids did have a bit of a hard time (they really wanted to get into those cars), and there really wasn't anything for them to do. I wished they had a car or a place set up for kids to play with cars. Would have made the experience much better.
We were done with the museum within an hour and decided to go on the Middletown-Hummelstown railroad. The directions to get to there was challenging but we made it in town for the noon train. It was a nice 45 minute ride out to the caverns and back to Middletown, just in time for the heaviest rainstorm I've seen in a while. On the train, the conductor gave a narration of the history and folklore of the area and then on the way back there was music played on an accordion of old folk songs that I've never heard of. Once we got into our cars, we ended up getting detours trying to get back to our condos. A major accident happened at the exit we needed to take. After 45 minutes (which should have been 15 but that rain really messed things up) we got back to the condo for a late lunch, and Luke's nap. Carlita again was back in the pool.
Once Luke woke up and we had dinner, we headed over to HersheyPark for preview night. with your ticket you can enter the park three hours before closing the day before to get a head start on the rides. We split up in two groups. Everyone except Carlene, Luke, and I went to ride some coasters while we stayed in the Founder's Circle for those rides. the park closed at 10pm and then we headed home. Yes the kids stayed up but it was all worth it.
Monday, July 26
Our day at Hershey Park. We got to the park by opening (10am). We broke up the day into 3-hour periods since we were parking at Chocolate World which was free for the first three hours (really why pay for $10 a car if we have to come in and out). So the first three hours we went off to the water section, the Broadwalk. We had a blast on the Tidal Force. The kids and moms stayed in the Sandcastle Cove while the big kids tried to get on water rides. We soon realized that many of us won't be getting on rides today due to long lines. I really think amusement parks are all about testing your patience since you have to wait so long for everything. After our first three hours, we returned to the condo for lunch. Luke and Carlene were left behind and the rest of us returned to the park. Carlita really wanted to do the ferris wheel so we did that. Everyone else did more coasters, and then we did some rides in Mid-America. Karl wanted to do a water ride with Carlita, and after a hour wait they were able to go down the Surge. I don't think that was really worth the wait but it was nice for them to do.
Our three hours were up and back to the condo we went. There waiting for us was a gourmet meal to celebrate Karl's 31st birthday. I rushed out to get balloons, and the celebration began. The cake was made from starch and Karl got some cards.
Then we were off yet again to Hersheypark for our last three hours of enjoyment. I took the kids to Minetown while everyone else went on coasters. We all met up at the CoalCracker, a water log ride, and ended the night driving cars around the track. We were exhausted from this day of adventure so straight to bed we went back at the condo.
Tuesday, July 27
After yesterday we took the morning off and relaxed in our condo. Really with kids there's no relaxing. they are up at 7am so Karl and I took them to Starbucks and then the pool. We then decided to go to the ZooAmerica which was nice and easy to go through with everyone.
After the zoo, Fran and Luke took naps and the rest of us went to Chocolate World (finally). We got to do the free tour and get a candy bar. Then we decide to make our own chocolate bar, which was so much fun to decide what to put into our bars and see it being made. We were all dressed up - I think we look hilarious - what do you think?
Wednesday, July 28
Another day of adventure. This time to Hershey Gardens. You see we purchased a "passport" ticket to three places: ZooAmerica, The gardens, and the Hershey Story. The gardens were very beautiful and for me the highlight was the Children garden. One of the best gardens I've even see. We got to go into a butterfly house and be surrounded by butterflies (wow). There was alot of ways the kids could interact with the garden.
Then afternoon naptime for Luke, pool for Carlita, and lunch. In the evening we went over to Hershey Story, where we learned all about Milton Hershey and the town. It was a great museum, with great interactive components. But the best part was the Chocolate Tasting. We got to taste 6 different chocolates from around the world, ranging from 30% to 75% cocoa. Wow!!! Some of them were way too intense for us. Very interesting experience. Highly recommend to do that. Then back to condo, dinner, baths, bed time, card game, bed time for adults.
Thursday, July 29
We've experienced everything we could in Hershey so we went off to Harrisburg, Pa the state capital to go to the State Museum. An driving adventure to get there but worth it. This museum had a great kids' section while the adults (minus Lulu) went to check out the museum. There was a planetarium as well. I did take the kids on a 15 minute tour of the museum. Really there's no hope to read and look at things but to cruise right through. The museum is a hidden gem that I recommend to anyone.
After the museum, we returned to Hershey for a late lunch and Luke's naptime. We took Carlita, Dave, and Carlene for a bit of Karl's b-day shopping. Karl got three new pairs of shoes and a new suit from Calvin Klein (very nice!). Then we returned for pool time. Aunt Laura and Bob arrived and we had dinner outside in a gazebo. A great way to end our week in Hershey.
Friday, July30
After loading up and checking out, we headed to Strasburg, PA for an amish experience. We arrived at the Red Cabosse Hotel and Restaurant in time for an amish buggy ride. Luke was asleep so we didn't go on it. When everyone returned, we had a picnic and went to the little petting zoo on the proprety. Luke really liekd the chickens, and Carlita the goats.
After lunch we headed over to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. We've been wanting to come here for a while. Carlita really wanted to do the maze and we tried to find all the lost pieces in there (a fun but LONG game). After 45 minutes the Luke family escaped out of the maze to go do some of the farm rides, which were cool. There's the obstacle course, the chute slide, the barnyard jump, and giant sling. We really wore out the kids (and the adults). Kenny and Dave did find all the pieces (they took 2 and a half hours to do so). Then we finally hit the road to return to Newark, DE. Home finally we ordered out pizza, did baths, and got to bed. Boy what a long day!
Saturday, July 31
Today was Carlene's 58th birthday. In honor of that, we took everyone to Fort Delaware State Park. This is a fort from the Civil War, and you have to take a ferry to get there from Delaware City. We got to experience a gun being shot off, and alot of re-enactment. Carlita and Kenny got to be "drafted" up for war, and we learned alot about Delaware's history.
Sunday, Aug. 1
In the morning, we went off to Kiddie Kandids to take family shots. shots of the kids turning 2 and 5 and group shots. I wanted to do this since everyone was here visiting. I think the pictures came out gorgeous - check out the snapshow.
The the rest of the day was spent getting ready for Luke's birthday party. More details on his party will be on a different post but today was spent getting ready for the party, having the party, and cleaning up. My boy is turning 2. Wow! we had a great cake and a pool party. We ate and hung around. It was a great day to celebrate together as our last day together. After the party, we had baths, and card playing.
Monday, Aug. 2
And finally the last day of the Oregon crew's visit. Up early to take the kids into daycare, and then Karl took his family to the Philly airport. It was a whirlwind of activity and adventures for the Luka family. Glad that everyone came out to visit us and we really got to enjoy each other and experience new things together. Below are the pictures from the entire trip. Enjoy!
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