Letter 18 History Pennsylvania

Harrington Travels East 2009
Letter 18: History Pennsylvania
Thursday, June 18 we toured Valley Forge and visited the very nice visitor center. Washington chose this site for his winter headquarters to be close enough to keep an eye on the British in Philadelphia, yet far enough away to prevent a surprise attack. We drove the tour route where the men built a city of 2,000-odd huts laid out in parallel lines along the planned military avenues. We saw a few of the replicated cabins the men built in the third winter camp of the Revolution. Disease, not cold or starvation, was the true scourge of the camp. Nearly 2,000 men who perished died during the warmer months of influenza, typhus, typhoid, and dysentery. The National Memorial arch was dedicated in 1917 and commemorates the “patience and fidelity” of these soldiers who wintered here in 1777-78.
At the Pott’s home

we saw Washington’s headquarters and the bed where he really did “sleep here.” We heard three story tellers at various places on the tour. This was a highlight. We heard about the “Tallest man in the Revolutionary War,” “The women in the Revolutionary army,” and “The battle of the itch.” These story tellers are professional and do a great job! They made this national park come to life. The “Once upon a Nation” program is designed for the children as they get stars for listening to the stories, but we enjoyed hearing the stories also.
From Valley Forge we drove up the road to

Daniel Boone’s childhood home. He lived here with his family until he was 15 years old. In 1773 he married Rebecca and raised ten children. Later he became famous as a leader among settlers in opening Kentucky and resisting native American raids. He settled Boonsboro in Kentucky and later moved on to Missouri.

Friday, June 19 we traveled across Amish-Mennonite farms. The Amish have long preferred farming as a way of life. They feel their lifestyle and their families can best be maintained in a rural environment. While they do not permit the use of tractors in their fields, the old order Amish groups do use modern farm equipment pulled by teams of horses or mules.

We passed through York and the Harley Davidson factory, to

Gifford Pinchot State Park.

After setting up we headed to Gettysburg to meet up with Martha Robbins Daughtery, one of Fred’s high school classmates. She was with

her son Mike and grandson Sean. Her grandson is graduating from high school and while in Virginia for the occasion were seeing Gettysburg. We had been corresponding by email to meet up. Even though the visit was short it was good to see a

dear friend and her family. While at the visitor’s center we watched their introduction film,

the Cyclorama-where we were in the middle of Pickett’s charge and toured their museum. The museum was also a history of the whole War between the States from beginning to end. Even though it was well done, it left out some of the Southern causes and the whole thing was so sad.

On the way back to the trailer we stopped at a road side fruit stand and bought local asparagus, new potatoes, and PEACHES! From Georgia. They were so juicy and sweet! YUM.

Saturday, June 20 we were lazy with the exception of finding a “Giant” food store. Yes, that is their name. Now this was a real grocery store. Finally!

Sunday, June 21 we attended church at the

Grace United Methodist Church. This church is in a parish of four United Methodist Churches and share two pastors. Even though it was a small church there were lots of young people and children in the church. Since this was father’s day they had all the grandfathers come to the front, Fred was one of five. Then the fathers added 10 more. They asked questions like family feud. Fred even won the prize for what bug were father’s most noted for taking care of. He guessed cockroaches. For that smart answer he received a $10 gift card for gas at the Giant food store. How appropriate, for we buy a LOT of gas.

Our new friends, Dick & Sue Rein, whom we met in the Finger Lakes came to camp with us and celebrate Father’s Day.

Their daughter and her family came out for a delicious steak dinner. This family reminds us of the Fenton’s as both Jen and Mark are doctors (both GPs) and they also have two boys Jack and Ben.

Monday, June 22, Happy Anniversary to US, Happy Anniversary to US, yes today makes 45 years of wedded bliss. We celebrated by sleeping in then driving to Hershey PA to see the sights. We started at the

Hotel Hershey where a painter who was spot painting the walls saw us looking around and gave us an inside tour. He opened doors to the banquet rooms, ball rooms and the bar. The hotel is built in

Mediterranean Architecture with beautiful tile work. This was a dream of Milton Hershey as he traveled a lot and enjoyed this style. He was a friend of a stain glass maker, whom he hired to make many windows in the round dining room. The lobby has

decorative tile, fountain and the ceiling is sky blue with fluffy clouds. Across the street were the Hershey Gardens and we viewed them from the parking lot.

Chocolate World was the next stop where we took the tour riding through like the tunnel of love. Animated characters entertained us as well as seeing how the chocolate was baked, dried, mashed, melted, flavored and made into the many kinds of Hershey candies. Of course the end of the ride ended in the gift shop with more Hershey products than you can imagine. We shopped for a while and realized the price was better at Wal-Mart.

We drove down Chocolate Street in downtown Hershey and saw the famous street lights shaped like Hershey Kisses. There are many more sights in Hershey, like a huge amusement park with 9-10 roller-coasters, but we saw what was age appropriate. For all this information and videos go to: www.hotelhershey.com or www.hersheypa.com

We had a beautiful day today WITHOUT rain! The temperature zoomed up to about 80.

Tuesday, June 23 we followed the Reins to Hanover and toured

Snyder’s factory. Snyder's flavored pretzel pieces are Fred's favorite snack, especially Honey Mustard Onion. We watched pretzels and potato chips being made, dried, packaged and boxed and even sampled a couple of products. Then they turned us loose in the factory store to stock up.

Then we drove on to Gettysburg and took the tour to the

Eisenhower farm. We can see why they chose this place to live. The rangers told stories as we toured the premises and allowed us in the home. The farm was given to the National park system not long before the Eisenhowers passed away so everything is just as they left it. It was a beautiful day with a nice breeze from the south. At one point the ranger pointed out where Camp David was,

just behind the highest hill, and Ike would bring foreign dignitaries over to the farm via helicopter where they could talk in private.

Wednesday, June 24 was a long hard day. It started off slow. We told the Rein’s goodbye then heard from the Martin RV repair that the roller bar for the awning had come in. Could we be there at 12:30? We flew into high gear, close up and pack up the trailer. Filled it with water and dumped before driving about 25 miles into Mechanicsburg. While the awning was being repaired, Olivia took the Suburban and bought gas and found a Sally’s to get some much needed supplies. When she came back, about 3:00 pm, the awning was fixed and we took off for a days drive. We headed to Ives Run in northern PA, 200 miles, where we stayed two weeks ago. We enjoyed this drive along the Susquehanna River and seeing ditch lilies blooming along the roadside. We thought of Bob & Paula when we saw the ditch lilies. Fortunately there were several of their lovely spots available. This was one of those times the TV dinners in the freezer came in handy. This time we dinned on turkey and dressing from Ferris Heights Thanksgiving dinner.

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