Campin with the grandkids

Left Benny at the airport Tuesday morning and headed out with Ryan and Annie Tuesday afternoon. Fun campground at Harrisville, PA. It was a Jellystone with all the bells and whistles; pool, beach volleyball, mini golf, basketball, biking, hiking, mallet pool and more. Had a wonderful time but could have used a little more sun. Annie still went swimming every day but the thunderstorms got in the way and kept us up one night.

Day trip to the Living Treasurers Wild Animal park. Riding the camel was the highlight. Then on to McConnell Mill State Park to explore the trails, the old gristmill and the covered bridge. Got caught in a downpour on the way back to the car.



We ended the trip at Tionesta campground in the Allegheny National Forest. Beautiful place with surprises amenities like mini golf and a huge playground and sports field. Lots of campfires and smores along with hiking and biking. The Allegheny River Trail is a scenic bike path that goes for miles along the river with the forest on the other side. Lovely ride with interpretive signs along the way describing the turn of the century oil discoveries and oil barons.

Home again to put the grandkids on the plane to see Grandma Linda in Washington.

Tomorrow Hershey, PA and dinner with the cousins

Tomorrow we leave Gettysburg and head to Hershey PA to see how they make chocolate and the coolest part..... we get to create our own chocolate bars. What could be better????? We get to do a chocolate tasting. Yummo! Can't wait to taste the BennyBar.

From Hershey we take the coach for a scenic (yes it is a scenic road) ride on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Pittsburgh. Benny gets to ride up front and get the full coach experience. When we get to Pittsburgh the cousins will have a fun evening before Benny flies home on Tuesday. Short but very sweet visit.

Update: Hershey was the hit of the trip. Great fun on the factory tour ride and best of all making our own custom made candy bars.... (I still wish I had got the sprinkles ;-)) Benny and Ryan had a soccer match in the back yard and all three cousins were happy to see each other.

Gettysburg and Catoctin Mtn Park with Benny

Gettysburg has a terrific new (2008) visitor center with a professional movie about the events leading up to the Civil War and the three days of the battle. Upstairs is a huge round room that displays a 100 year old mural of Picketts Charge which was on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is an emotional drive around the military park with beautiful memorials of the various troops that fought in the war. Long day but memorable.

After lots of historical sight seeing it was time for a day off so we hit the hiking trail. The Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland is a short drive from Gettysburg and has a wonderful loop trail. First we walked to Cunningham Falls (you can barely see Benny on the rocks at the top in the picture). Then on to Hogs Rock overlook and Blue Ridge overlook. John and I did the 5 mile loop but Benny added on another mile plus lots of scrambling on the rocks at the waterfall to get a good workout. We finished hot and sweaty but happy.

Good Times with Benny in DC & PA

Benny had a school trip to DC so when it was over we picked him up for a few days 'camping' and sightseeing with Grams & Gramps. First day we headed out to George Washington's estate, Mt Vernon. They have a new visitor center since we were there last and a well done movie about his war years and also meeting his wife Martha. Then a nice walk through the upper garden and on to the tour of the mansion. George was constantly expanding is estate and the mansion. It was interesting to see the bright colors used on the walls which were a sign of wealth. The east lawn has a beautiful view down to the Potomac River and was a perfect place for pictures.

From there we drove to Great Falls Park which is north west of DC. There is a series of falls, rocks, cascades and rapids along the Potomac River which drop 77 feet. Very pretty sight and three overlooks to view them. The area has great hiking and picnicking but it was getting late in the day so we headed for our camp spot. Benny was able to have the true DC experience that day..... 1.5 hour traffic jam on the DC beltway. At least he had a book to read.

Alta & Snoopy celebrate 50 years of marriage!

Had a fantastic time in Washington with all the family. Alta & Snoopy's 50th wedding anniversary was so much fun. Good food, fun video, nostalgic old pictures, and mostly friends and family made for an amazing day for all. The weather cooperated for once this year in the NW and we all sat outside on the porch after and talked until late.

Spent lots of Izzy time. Shannon and Christian are doing well. Erik & Jenn spoiled us with fabulous food, a comfy room and lots of catching up. LeAnne and Benny took good care of us and the weather was nice enough to walk to north beach. After 4 months on the road it was terrific to catch up.