Candy Mountain....We're Going on an Advennntuuurrreee Part 1.....
I love that animation. Charlie the Unicorn...check it out on YouTube.
Anyway, Ed and I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Hershey. Well, first of all, on the way down, we went to Bird in Hand, PA for to take a quick peek at the places of the Amish. I have never seen so many farms. We didn't really visit any, because if I want to see a farm, I just have to go over Ed's (his family has the BEST sweet corn, and I'm not just saying that because I have an in...really, we ate it before Ed and I even knew eachother! Yes, their tomatoes are good too, and I don't even like tomatoes, but I digress...)
We went to the Bird in Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord. I'm not one for buffets, but this was pretty good. I had some FABULOUS chicken and rice soup. Actually, the best chicken and rice soup I've had. The people there were wonderfully nice and our fellow dinners were senior citizens, which takes me back to the bus trips we took with my great-aunt and grandparents (though that's another story for another time).
Onward we traveled through the great farmland of Pennsylvania. It was actually really pretty, but I didn't take out the camera. I've never seen so many silos!
We arrived at our hotel, and I was pleasantly surprised. I have to admit, I'm kind of a hotel snob, and when I stay somewhere I haven't stayed before, I get nervous. Anyway, the Hilton Garden Inn in Hershey (so they say, but the zip is Hummelstown) is really quite nice and comfortable. You get to control your own thermostat (always a plus with me...I MUST sleep in the cold), our room has a flat panel LCD tv built into the bureau (nice touch), and a fridge and microwave. The bed didn't make my back hurt and you can plug your MP3 player into the alarm clock.
Now for the part I know you're wondering about...Hershey itself. Wednesday night we took in Chocolate World. We went to see the "Chocolate Tour" a simulation of the actual factory...though I'm sure there isn't as much singing at the real factory. Then we decided to take in the Trolley Tour...a must if you ever find yourself in Chocolatetown. It's a 45 minute trolley ride complete with history, singing, and a few surprises (don't want to ruin it for you). Educational and fun (and air conditioned) what more can you ask for.
Here are a few pictures:Here we have the factory...not super pretty, but it's a factory...what do you expect?
Another view of the factory, complete with the "Hershey's Cocoa bushes."

We were completely overwhelmed at the Marketplace...so much so that we only purchased the new limited edition Elvis Peanut Butter cups (rest in peace...30 years...yes, I like Elvis, but don't tell anyone :)). They were...interesting...See, I'm a fan of peanut butter banana sandwiches. I actually used to have one before my soccer practices when I was a kid, but this...I think if is sliced a banana and plunked it on a Peanut Butter Cup it would have been better.
Thursday morning we woke up to rain! Of course, such is my luck. The park didn't open til 10 so we took our time getting ready and went over to Panera for breakfast. (The other great thing about our hotel location...restaurants everywhere AND a grocery store. I had to go buy fruit...couldn't take the junk food anymore). We decided to head over there around 10:30 and the rain started to let up. Within 10 minutes of entering, it had stopped. I chickened out on the upside down coasters. Usually I'm fine, but something about them was freaking me out this time...maybe it was the rain, but we rode all the wooden ones. Lightning Racer being the best of them. The first one, Comet, was built in like 1945 (I can't remember exactly what the sign said) and it was a little rickety for my taste. The third was Wildcat....surprisingly high for a wooden coaster.
The rain did clear out and the sun arrived, along with the steam. It was quite humid. There were thunderstorms forecasted, but none arrived in the daylight hours. We did have some Dippin' Dots (our favorite) and also rode Wild Mouse. I'm not sure why I wanted to ride it. I did have fun, but felt like I was going to fall out and held on for dear life!!
Here's Ed enjoying some Dippin' Dots (we shared)We rode the Monorail, and I snapped some good pictures.
See the Hershey Kiss lights?
Roller coaster I don't remember the name of, but was WAY too scared to go on!

All the while, Ed and I couldn't help but compare it to Disney...we've been spoiled. No waiting in lines, characters that make sense (there is something just a little odd about a Peanut Butter Cup half unwrapped and with eyes), more space. The rides were kind of right on top of eachother....not that we didn't have fun. We did. Actually, our favorite ride was the Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge. Very much like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Disney (another favorite), you shoot targets with your laser gun.
We decided we'd had enough heat (I'm so not a summer person...why I go to Florida in November or January, which I prefer) and enjoyed lunch at the Tudor Grill right outside the entrance to the park. We had a chocolatey dessert that totally did me in for chocolate, but it was helpful when going back to buy presents and such at the Marketplace :)But, we DID go a LITTLE overboard!
While it's not Disney, I definitely suggest checking it out if you get a chance. They claim to be the number one park outside Orlando, and I'd have to agree with that. The one thing...part of the Park is called Boardwalk. It's basically a mini water park in the middle of the park. They have signs denoting where you can and cannot where your bathing suit...wasn't really followed, and unfortunately, there were some people there...yeah...well, more power to them for having such self-confidence.
OH, one thing they were better at than Disney...they are a smoke-free park with designated areas (like Disney), but the areas were actually followed. I saw security go up to someone and tell them to put their cigarette out. I was pleased. I wish they would do that at Disney, but they are far too nice.
Oh, and my favorite thing of all that I spotted, but have yet to try....
Yes...not just Bubble Yum...HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE Bubble Yum!!
(And no, I haven't had enough chocolate :))
Friday, was the King of Prussia Mall followed by Philadelphia (and yarn) on Saturday, aka Part 2 of our Advennntttuuurrreee....which will be posted in a day or so.