Philadelphia

John and I returned Sunday night from a great trip to Philadelphia, Bensalem, and Hershey, PA.  We followed his mom up there (she left TN the day before us) to visit his aunt who lives in Bensalem.  His aunt Peggy has had some back trouble lately and we were really excited to just be able to hang out with her and see her.  We flew out of Nashville Friday night and they picked us up at the airport.  We expected to sleep on the floor at Peggy's apartment, but they decided to treat us for our anniversary and put us up in a hotel for our trip and gave us authentic PA chocolates!  That was a great surprise -- especially because our flight had been delayed and we were pretty exhausted.

Mmmm...chocolate pretzels

The next morning we headed up the PA Turnpike to visit my mother-in-law's best friend, Maureen.  They've been best friends since high school!  Maureen and her family (husband + 4 teen-age/college-age sons) hosted us for a lovely relaxed lunch and she showed us around Hershey.  Of course we had to visit Chocolate World! 

Yay...more chocolate

After visiting the free mini-museum and taking the tour/ride that explains to kids how chocolate is made, we hung out at the food court area that has booths selling every type of chocolate product imaginable and tons of non-chocolate Hershey's merchandise.  Unfortunately they no longer give tours of the real manufacturing process.  I didn't feel well from the drive and I'm not as chocolate-loving as my dear husband, so I had a nibble of my free sample and purchased a Christmas ornament instead.

No more for me, please

Hershey, PA (the city itself) really impressed me.  Milton Hershey wanted to provide well for his employees, so he built a model town all around the plant, providing his workers with lovely homes, community pools and recreation centers, schools, etc.  All this in the early 1900s.  Sort of like the SC mill towns, but nice. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hershey had no children so they started a boarding school for orphans or youth from difficult family situations to give them an education and a trade.  It is still open today and it is NICE!  Let me tell you, I'd go there!  The area has beautiful farmland too -- all that chocolate needs milk, and all those cows need corn or other feed, so you see corn fields on every corner.  One other thing I noticed about this area of PA is the lack of chain stores or " 's " restaurants -- most shops are mom and pop establishments, which is refreshing.

The city with Kisses for streetlights

The actual Hershey's plant

I think that's a dorm

After a delicious dinner that evening, we checked out the Penn's Landing, Front Street, and South Street area on foot.  We saw fireworks being shot off on the Jersey side of Penn's Landing!  We also saw several historic landmarks like Christ Church.  We had a great tour guide -- John's mom, Kathy.  She was raised in Philly so she knew the area well and pointed out the great restaurants, etc. 

On Sunday morning we went to Mass with John's aunt, had "authentic" philly cheesesteaks from her favorite diner, and headed off to hit some of the touristy sites: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, a portrait museum in the old Second US Bank, and the Museum of Modern Art.  We even ran into a historical marker for the American Pharmacists Association.  After a whirlwind tour -- and LOTS of walking -- we were back on a plane to Nashville! 

Big stuff happened here

I'm told these are the "Rocky steps"

I always win in Wii boxing

Awkward tourist picture - take it fast!