Seriously? We are in America’s chocolate capital, and we’ve been eating dessert since this morning. At a place where they serve chocolate butter, chocolate chip pancakes (duh), chocolate muffins and hot chocolate for breakfast. Indeed, we are in a place where they hand out free chocolate at almost every corner.
Category Archives: U.S.
1260 Calories
That’s the number of calories in the six (yes, count ’em) full-size Hershey Bars we received when we checked in at Hershey Lodge about 40 minutes ago. Four because we are a family of four, plus two more attached to a cute birthday card addressed to Sophie and signed by 10 employees of the hotel.
When the front desk receptionist told us that she was going to give us a little welcome chocolate, I expected a Hershey’s Kiss or maybe a mini-package of Kisses. Clearly, they are not particularly concerned with the climbing obesity rates in the U.S. Welcome to the Chocolate Capital of America.
Hershey Park, Here We Come
We leave tomorrow evening for a weekend getaway in Hershey, PA. We convinced Sophie to forego a birthday party and instead celebrate her 6th candle with her loving Mommy, Papa and sister in America’s chocolate capital.
Shenandoah National Park and the Luray Caverns
We decided to prolong our road trip by an extra day to glimpse the Blue Ridge Mountains and explore the Luray Caverns. Not a voyage I would have ever considered making, but for the fact that it was more or less on our way home. And I’m so glad we took the detour.
Continue reading Shenandoah National Park and the Luray Caverns
So Long, Hilton Head
As they say, a photo is worth a thousand words. Here are a few thousand words worth of beach memories.
Of Horses, Ponies and Palmetto Bugs
We started the day off by going horseback riding. Chloe, Papa and me. Chloe has great horseback riding posture. I, on the other hand, was aching all over when the hour was done. Really aching. However, my horse, China, was a pistol. While everyone else on the trail meandered along on their horses, China treated me to some trotting along the way. And I didn’t lose control.
Communing With Nature
The morning activity consisted of a bike ride to the horse stables, which also feature an adorable petting zoo. Goats, deer, pigs, llamas, rams…and let me tell you, those animals are enjoying life. Each goat had its own little house.
The Beach!
Do you think we had a great day? The water was a bit choppy (thank you Hurricane Danielle), but it was so deliciously warm. The girls had a great time. I even helped Sophie build a sandcastle. Not something I’m particularly good at. Nor something I particularly enjoy doing. But I enjoyed it today. Because I’m ON VACATION!
Our Nation’s Capital, Day Five
I did it again. Lost our camera. Only 16 months after the last time. There is something seriously wrong with me. Cameraitis, perhaps. And it’s a shame, too. Because yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day and I had some great pictures of the girls at the different presidential memorials. Instead, you’re stuck with a stock photo of the Jefferson Memorial. Sorry.
Washington – Day Four
We visited the Capitol today. Along with a lot of school groups. We had tickets for a general tour that we obtained from our senator, but those tickets did not allow us to visit the actual Senate chamber. All hope was not lost, however. While in the visitor center, we learned that having a non-US citizen spouse can be a very useful thing. We walked up to the Senate appointments desk, mentioned that my husband was French and that I had dual citizenship, and faster than you can say veto, we had four tickets to the Senate gallery. The irony of it had me smiling for most of the rest of the day. The Senate was in session, although they were not debating anything of huge import. Only a few senators were on hand, but I was able to point out a few recognizable faces to Chloe, including Senators Schumer, Kerry (at least I think it was him – he was a little too far away for me to know for sure), Dodd and Franken.