Living full time in our motor home allows us to be Ready To Go. . .on to the next adventure!

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco Skyline as seen from the Marin Headlands - California

Monday, September 30, 2013

Evans Escapades at Gettysburg



Pennsylvania Scenery
The drive over to our Thousand Trails Park near Gettysburg was lovely. . .
only an hour and a half from Hersey. . .so a wonderful, easy travel day!
Alpacas. . .Gettysburg Farm Thousand Trails - Outdoor Worldcrowing - Gettysburg Farm Thousand Trails - Outdoor World
more very healthy roosters and chickens at Gettysburg Farm Thousand Trails - Outdoor Worldgoat outside the pen. . .Gettysburg Farm Thousand Trails - Outdoor World
it’s called Gettysburg Farm ~ Outdoor World for a reason. . .
all these animals are on the premises. . .
you can even buy feed at the store and feed them yourselves. . .
the kiddos in the park love it!
Pennsylvania, Gettysburg PA (6) - Copy
now.. .to the reason for our stop. . .
Gettysburg National Military Park. . .
Pennsylvania, Gettysburg PA - Copy
the Visitor Center. . .privately ran by the Gettysburg Foundation
is really great. . .we highly recommend the all in one ticket. . .
all three for $12.50 pp. ..well worth it!

The four pics following are from the Cyclorama
which is a diorama or mural in the round. . .
you can move around the platform
as the action unfolds. . .

you don’t realize how many details
you are missing until they are spotlighted. . .
really, really great. . .
Pennsylvania, Gettysburg PA (1) - Copy
Pennsylvania, Gettysburg PA (2) - Copy
Pennsylvania, Gettysburg PA (3) - Copy
Pennsylvania, Gettysburg PA (4) - Copy
you really need to see it all in person to get the full effect. . .
Fall ColorFall Color
on Wednesday we wanted to continue touring the Gettysburg Battleground
following our Auto Tour CD we had purchased in the bookstore. . .
but alas. . .as we all know. . .all the National Parks are closed down. . .

so instead we enjoyed a scenic drive in the countryside. . .
checked out the fall colors and


the most historic covered bridge in Pennsylvania. . .nice!

Snake?

as I was walking along a trail for a better vantage point of the bridge. . .
this charming little creature crossed my path. . .
I’m told it’s a garter snake. . .I was rather proud of myself
for not going into the screaming banshee
that I normally do. . .but he was real little. . .
and just went off into the woods minding his own business. . .
that’s the way I like it!
Apple Orchards
the apple orchards are loaded. . .
Round Barn - Apple Orchard and Farm StandFresh from the Orchard - Apple Orchards
and the farm stands are just loaded with apples and pumpkins. . .
had to have a few. . .which I promptly turned into baked turnovers. . .delicious!

‘til next time,
Janice and Dave

Gettysburg Album

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Off We Go to Another State Capitol and to Philadelphia PA. . .the City of Love or Something Like That


Trenton has the honor of being the Capitol of New Jersey. . .
so off we went to see the State House. . .
New Jersey State House
this is by far the most difficult State House
we have EVER tried to photograph. . .
there is nowhere you can stand to get it all in. . .

The pediment across the front blocks the view of the dome. . .
Dome of the New Jersey State House
so we went around to the side to get a shot of it. . .
just beautiful. . .but not original to the building. . .
Original Portion of the New Jersey State House
in fact the BACK of the building. . .seen here. . .
is the original State House. . .
the Dome forward is all an addition. . .
the docent explained all this to us. . .
and said that is why the building is so close to the street in the front. . .
Rotunda - New Jersey State House
we almost didn’t get to see this beautiful rotunda area. . .
I guess because New Jersey has such a high profile governor. . .
the security is very, very tight. . .
we’ve gone through metal detectors in other State Houses. . .
but these NJ guys wanted to see ID’s and the works. . .
AND
you are not allowed to roam around and explore. . .
you MUST be with a tour guide at all times. . .

Since we had not arrived at a time of a scheduled tour
one of the security folks were kind enough to escort
us in to photograph the rotunda only. . .
and then escort us back out. . .
but hey. . .they gave us pencils with
Governor Christie’s name on them. . .
I was gonna show you a picture. . .
but I can’t find them. . .I’m sure they are in a very safe place. . .oops!
Philadelphia PA Skyline
Philadelphia. . .which was sort of on our way
back to the RV park in Hershey was our next destination. . .

We just wanted to hit the highlights,
and have a Philly Cheesesteak so that’s what
I’m gonna show you. . .just the highlights. . .
The streets in this area of Philly are claustrophobic. . .can you imagine with snow piled on both sides?
driving in the neighborhood where the cheese steak shops were
was quite the experience. . .can you imagine this
with eight feet of snow piled up. . .aii yaiii yaiii. . .
how do these folks cope? ? ?
Pat's and Geno's Philly Cheese SteaksPat's and Geno's Philly Cheese Steaks
and here they are. . .
the illustrious Geno’s and Pat’s Cheese Steak Sandwich Shops. . .
Dave went to Pat’s. . .I went to Geno’s. . .
I brought my sandwich back over. . .
and we split them so we could compare. . .
now on this particular day. . .I must say that Pat’s had the better sandwich. . .
Geno’s could have definitely used some seasoning. . .very bland. . .

Okay. . .that’s done. . .what’s the next tourist stop?
Penn Building
a beautiful view of the Penn Building. . .
Penn Building
and a close up
LOVE Park
LOVE Park. . .lovely!
Liberty Bell
let’s go stand in line to see the Liberty Bell. . .
it moved really quick!
Liberty Bell
and there it is. . .
Independence Hall
Independence Hall. . .definitely want to explore it further next trip. . .
United States Mint
and the United States Mint. . .no samples today. . .we always miss free sample day. . .

It was a whirlwind of a day. . .
we SHALL return to Philadelphia to explore further. . .
and next time. . .I believe
we may go on the weekend when all the working folk are not down there. . .
it was packed. . .parking was pricey. . .and I’m sad to say
it really was not that enjoyable of an experience. . .

but. . .I do want to see it all in a more leisurely fashion,
so we shall return at a later date. . .not sure when. . .but later. . .

‘til next time,
Janice and Dave




Sunday, September 22, 2013

Evans Escapades in Harrisburg–Pennsylvania’s State Capitol


State Capitol - Harrisburg PA
State Street looking toward the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building

Pennsylvania did it right. . .their Capitol Building is on display. . .
State Capitol - Harrisburg PA
and it is gorgeous. . .
Pennsylvania State Capitol Dome  - Harrisburg PA
the domes and roof are covered in an unusual green glass tile. . .
it is an eye catching work of art. . .
State Capitol Rotunda - Harrisburg PAState Capitol Rotunda - Harrisburg PA
we would have loved to linger longer inside. . .
there were a million details to check out. . .
but they seemed to be set up for a function of some kind,
and we didn’t want to intrude. . .

We highly recommend checking out this stunning work of art,
deemed the State House of Pennsylvania. . .

‘til next time,
Janice and Dave

Friday, September 20, 2013

Evans Escapades in Hershey Pennsylvania

Welcome to Hershey PA
the sweetest place on earth. . .
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
does it get any better than this?
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
our first chocolate adventure
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
the outfits were so great. . .
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
our friend Donna told us to swan dive into a vat of chocolate. . .yum!
Chocolate World - Hershey PAChocolate World - Hershey PA

Chocolate World - Hershey PAChocolate World - Hershey PA
making sure our candy bar is being made correctly. . .
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
the funniest part. . .one child in the entire group. . .
all the adults lined up with our faces against the glass. . .
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
Chocolate World - Hershey PAChocolate World - Hershey PA
our next Chocolate World Adventure. . .a simulated factor tour. . .
the singing cows were great. . .the tour was even better. . .
Chocolate World - Hershey PA
and the highlight of the day. . .a tour of Hershey. . .
highly recommend. . .fabulous tour guide. . .
and the Milton Hershey story is really great. . .
Original Hershey Factory
the Original Hershey Factory
Chocolate World - Hershey PAChocolate World - Hershey PA
Hershey Park – Seven Roller Coasters. . .nope. . .don’t think so!
Hotel Hershey
the original Hershey Hotel – built in 1933
Hershey USA Panorama
Hershey USA
Hershey Kisses Street Lamps
Famed Hershey Kisses Avenue – wrapped and unwrapped
Pennsylvania, Hershey (8)
famed Hershey Smoke Stacks
pretty Pennsylvania Farm
Hershey Dairy Farms
Farm Stand
and the perfect ending to a wonderful day. . .

‘til next time,
Janice and Dave
and