August 27, 2014

We drove into Hershey and I saw the street lights with Hershey Kiss covers.

 

 

 

That hasn’t changed since I was there several years ago – it is one of the very few things that hasn’t changed.  There is a huge Hershey Amusement park which has 12 different roller coasters!  There are others rides too and it does not appear to be wide spread – just very concise.  We went to the Hershey museum and it was fascinating.

 

 

 

 

We found out they used tubs to transport the hot chocolate mix AND they still do! 

Another thing we learned was that the founder and his wife left their entire estate ($60 million) to a trust for a school for orphaned boys.  It has since been expanded to cover any needy child regardless of race or gender.  They always have more applications than they can accept.  Preference is given to children in the three surrounding counties. After we finished the museum, we went to the Chocolate Lab where we made a candy bar – FUN!

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving there we went to the Hershey Chocolate Factory where we rode in small buckets around an animated candy factory – not like I remembered.
  

 

It was so hard to resist buying LOTS of chocolate – I was proud of myself.  Throughout the trip I have bought bracelet charms of various places we have visited.  Unable to find a charm that I liked at the gift shop, we went to a local jewelry store and found a great “Hershey Kiss” which they attached to my bracelet.  In talking with the lady, she confirmed that my memories of the Hershey plant were correct.  About 5 years ago they tore down the old plant after building a new plant outside the city.  She confirmed that years ago they did in fact have tours through the real factory, not an automated factory.  As we were leaving town we saw a “closed” gas station (in good shape) with gas pumps at $.32 a gallon.  What is bad about that is that James and I remember when it was even cheaper!

 
Drove to Gettysburg – can you believe that we have never been!   In talking to Stacey she told me she was taking the dogs to the “SPA” because of the odor!  Just so long you can have three dogs in the house!!  She also said that there was an issue with her mammogram and she had to go back tomorrow for additional test. This is a night of prayer!

Aug 26, 2014

– Today was a driving trip from Cooperstown, NY, to Hershey, PA.  We stopped in Oneonta, NY. 

 
 

 

 
Once again, the buildings were beautiful and I found a few shops that had cute items.  I asked how they pronounced the town – it is One-on-ta.  Little different than in the south.  As we passed the Pennsylvania state sign we pulled into the welcome center and saw a beautiful wall carving (not a painting.) 

 

 
Later we talked to Brooks.  He was one his way to Birmingham for therapy and volunteered that he was “on yellow” at school.  He explained he was “on yellow” for jumping in the bathroom!  I told Stacey that was "a boy" and she said that "was Brooks."  I asked Stacey about Ally (who was picking her up from school and getting her to dance lessons.)  She told me that Melissa Glaze is taking care of Ally – Kevin is on travel.  Stacey sure is lucky to have good, caring, Christian friends. 

August 25, 2014

Cooperstown, NY – home of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.  This was a full day of TOUR.  We started with looking at the Baseball field where the Hall of Fame baseball game was played several years ago. 

The town was celebrating 75 years of the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

 

 

The museum was wonderful. 

 

 I believe you could stay in there for two or three days and still not see everything.  Some of the highlights for us were the emphasis on Jackie Robinson and the fact that his number (42) has been permanently retired for ALL of Major League baseball. 

Of course we were interested in the players that we knew something about such as Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Ted Williams. 

 

 

 

James looked for the plaque recognizing Harmon Killabrew since he was able to get his autograph a few years ago. 

We were surprised to see Pete Rose's jersey displayed in one of the cases.  We quickly learned that the displays were not just Hall of Fame members and were rotated throughout the year. 

 

We also saw a baseball signed by Cal Ripkin, Jr. which was for sale.  The price tag was $329.  WOW!  Stacey obtained one of these for each of DeLyn’s boys several years ago.  DeLyn assured me they are in the SAFE! 

 Leaving Cooperstown we drove to Cooperstown Dream Park (often called the field of dreams). 

 

This complex was built by a man who loved baseball and loved children.  This Complex allows children to spend a week in dorms and play baseball tournaments.  All teams dress in red, white and blue.  Riley played there when he was 12 year old and each player on the team received a ring at the end of the tournament.  Riley thinks it is one of the best experiences he ever had.  The complex is wonderful. 

 

Even the seating for fans is unusual – it appears to be an extension of the dug-outs. 

 

 

Great place.  As we were leaving, heading toward Pennsylvania, we noticed the color on the mountain side. 

 This has been a great trip.  James talked to our neighbor, Joe Brooks.  Joe said it had rained all around us but no rain for us.  Looks like everything will be “burned up” when we get home.  

Aug 24, 2014

– We got up early and actually made the 9:30 church service.  The pastor preached a very good sermon and we left shortly thereafter to make a quick tour of Bennington.  There was a tall memorial that we could see in the distance and we drove there to find it was a memorial to a battle there during the revolutionary war. 

 We found The Old Church which was designated as the first church in Vermont dedicated to separation of church and state. 

 

There were many gravesites in their cemetery which were pre-Revolutionary War.  Probably the most famous gravesite was that of Robert Frost, a wonderful poet.   

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop in Bennington was the “service station” recommended by Bobby Austin.  This was great!  The station itself is wonderful with 50’s booths and signs of 100s of gasoline and cars. 

 

Then we found the really great part of this “service station.”  This is the home of Hemmings News and they have a collection of vintage vehicles.  This collection is open for free admission.  We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. 

 
 

 
 

 

Leaving Bennington we decided to go to Albany, the capital of New York.  Again the city had beautiful, old buildings. 

 
 

We found the building we thought would be the capital - it wasn't.  It was the University of New York - but sure was beautiful. 

 

 

Then we found the capital which did not look like a “capital” building. 

  Leaving there we headed toward Cooperstown, NY, where Riley Camp (DeLyn’s youngest) had played baseball a few years ago.  Along the way we saw some sites that reminded us of the type you see around North Alabama – HA! 

 Before we got to Cooperstown, Riley called.  He was on his way back to school.  He is going to Southern Union Community College in Wadley, AL (near Auburn.)  He has a baseball scholarship and seems to really like being there.  I know his mom is beginning to realize how empty the house can be.