Hershey ZooAmerica

Today Nathan, Aric and I went to visit the Zoo here.  It was founded by Milton Hershey and is celebrating it's 100th anniversary.  All of the animals are native to North America which was interesting to us.  We practically had the zoo to ourselves which meant we spent as long as we wanted at each exhibit.

We are even more fond of these majestic creatures after our time with them in Michigan.

We are less fond of these animals after our time in Ohio at a park where they covered our patio with their gifts each day.

This guy is about the same size as the bear that Nathan got up close and person with in TN.  I wish the bear we saw in the wild seemed as zen as this one.  I might have been a hair less nervous then.

These two fought the entire time, and I'm pretty sure they were males based on how they fought.

This most likely was the female, because as soon as she saw they were fighting she came over to check it out.  In fact, I think she is Mom because she has that look on her face like, "I can't leave you two alone for five seconds!"

This beautiful animal was checking out a bunny rabbit that was running free, so he couldn't be bothered with us at all.

And this is the beautiful creature I wanted to bring home with me:

 Living the life in Pennsylvania!

If I Could Talk to the Animals

Since we were able to spend time in the zoo other people free today, it meant I could try to get video clips for our Reach the World articles.  I love it when I can sit and talk to the animals because it makes the whole zoo thing so much more fun.  Normally the animals just ignore humans.  Today they interacted with us some.

For example, I was talking to that big bear trying to talk him into swimming.  He was pretty stubborn.  After he sat up, he looked over at us like...yeah, this is all you're getting from me.

 The highlight of my day was when this lovely lady actually talked to me.  I was telling her how gorgeous she was and how she was the prettiest big cat I've ever seen in a zoo and she stopped, looked right at me and made a kitten like noise.  I talked back to her, and she responded again.  We went back and forth and had a little conversation.  Nathan tried to get it on video and she stopped.  As soon as he stops trying to record, she of course starts talking to me again.  It was pretty awesome!

Since my animal whisperer skills seemed to be in top form today, when we got to this guy, I tried again.  He was in the log, poking his head out.

I let him know that I would love it if he'd go and climb since the sign said he was a great climber.

Then I pleaded with him to get closer, so I could get a really good picture of him.  I told him if he'd come right in front of me on this log, that would be great.  I kid you not, he did it.  Then he looked at me with his oh so adorable face like, "is this good?".

In my next chapter of life, I'm going to work with animals.  I had no idea they were easier to work with than humans!  Seriously though, they made my day.  I went into the zoo in a complete funk and went out walking on air thanks to them.

Living the life in Pennsylvania where the animals speak human!

Hershey Chocolate World and Shady Maple Buffet

The first day we were here, Austin went down to check out the pickleball courts.  He came back to tell us people were playing and was very excited about who the people were.  Rene and Mira are here!  We were not expecting them so it was a nice surprise!  We played pickleball as long as we could meaning until the sun went down.

Yesterday it rained so we caught up on fun things like cleaning the RV and getting groceries.  Today we headed out to explore.  We went to Hershey's version of a factory tour.  Austin, Auburn and I went before but Nathan and Aric had not been there before.  I love this place.  It's Chocolate World.  What's not to love?

If you do the tour part, you get a piece of candy at the end.  Last time we were with Diana and she twisted our arm to go on it twice, just to get two pieces of candy.  As much as Auburn and I hate candy, we went along with it.  This time was even better.  When we came off the tour ride, there was a lady doing surveys there.  Aric, Nathan and I all qualified to do one.  Which means we got to eat chocolate while doing the survey and then they gave us a free full sized candy bar for participating.  Austin got the candy bar because he had to sit and wait for us.  We went to explore all the other goodies afterward and bought a bag of Hershey Kisses each. 

 

After all of that fun, we headed to Lancaster to try the Shady Maple Buffet.  We somehow missed this when we were in the area two years ago.  We quite literally stuffed ourselves in ways I am not personally proud of.  It was soooooo good and there was so much food to pick from.  Half of my plates were for the desert part alone.

We had a great day!  We're hoping the sun comes out tomorrow and warmer weather comes with it!

Living the life in the land of wonderful food!

New York and Pennsylvania From My Window

Holley, NY to Lebanon, PA and Low Bridges

Today we left New York and started our journey back south. We landed in Lebanon, PA and are staying at the Thousand Trails there.

Since we just left the Erie Canal, Low Bridge Everybody Down has been a line from a song we've been singing. It also translates into our lives so often when we are traveling. Today we had to turn around in someone's driveway when we met up with a low bridge. Only to come in contact with another within minutes.

I've had people ask us, what do you do when you get to a low bridge? So I decided to document it to show you. This is what happens when you are not sure if you'll make it. You get out and watch to see if you'll make it or not. In this case Austin goes to the front of the truck and I'm sort of in the back, meaning I'm taking pictures while watching the back.

 We were good, except for the heat pump unit which was a little too close for my comfort. We made it through though and were good to go. Oddly enough, this is normal for us to stop and get out of the truck and do this.  I'm sure others don't quite see it that way though!

More Fall Colors in New York

We are staying at the Red Rock Ponds Campground here and it is one of the nicest places we've stayed at.  The park is gorgeous and the owners are just wonderful.  When we first arrived, there were only a few trees with leaves changing colors.  In just a matter of days, we are seeing more and more around us.

 

A Walk Along the Erie Canal

One of the many nice things about staying at the campground we are at right now, is that it's next to the Erie Canal.  There is a very nice bike/walking trail next to the canal.  The weather has been wonderful for walking.  All of which makes me happy.

One of my kids even gave in to my pathetic begging to come and walk the path with me.  I'll let you guess which one since I was not allowed to take pictures of that person even if they were kind enough to walk with me.

 It is just so beautiful here.  The perfect place to walk and see the area.

 There is red rock along the shore of the canal. 

 And it is really educational.  There is a long, interesting history to this canal.  I already have a few books to dig into so we can learn some of that history.  We might actually get to those books now that I'm taking a day's break from cooking to catch up on blogging and do some other things.  In the meantime here is an overview of this fun place:  New York State Canals

Living the life in New York!

Fall Produce

We've been in fresh produce heaven since we arrived in Holley.  I can walk across the street to the above produce stand and that's just one of many in this area.  I'm taking advantage of the bounty and trying to do some batch cooking to make some home cooked goodness that we can eat now and freeze some for later.

Normally I take time each morning to have some quiet time.  I do many different things during this time.  It doesn't matter so much what I do, just that I have some quiet time that is good for me and gets me to be a bit more centered before I face the day.  The part that is consistent is that I take this time to stop and be mindful of things I am grateful for so I call it my Gratitude Walk, even if I'm not walking while doing it. 

With all the prepping I've been doing for the cooking, I've used this as my quiet time.  Interestingly enough, it has also been easy for me to do some pondering of things I'm grateful for too while handling all the fresh fruits and veggies.  While cooking is not one of my favorite things to do, I do find that I like it so much more when I am using whole foods.  It is something that I am in awe of each time I do handle them.  I can't help but be aware of the fact that the earth gives us these precious gifts and that whole process is just spectacular in its own way.  I think of all of the parts that go into the process in order for food to grow from seed to maturity.  Food that nourishes us with its life giving properties and tastes so wonderful to boot.  Yesterday I was chopping tomatoes and realized it just feels as if each time I do come in contact with this kind of food in this way, I am literally pulling up a chair to God's table to eat.

 So what goodies have I managed to cook up this week?  Two batches of bolognese sauce, (Mira gave me her recipe for the Bolognese Sauce which is similar to Pastor Ryan's), two batches of marinara sauce, two batches of chunky vegetable spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, a huge batch of chili, fried apples like Cracker Barrel makes, apple dumplings, apple crisp, apple butter, applesauce and coleslaw.  Nathan has made his oh so good salsa and still wants to make another huge batch.  I still have butternut squash and pumpkins to use.  I'm guessing we'll get some extras to take with us before we leave.  I'm going to miss it when we do leave, but we'll soon be back in Florida where we can get year round fresh produce again. 

Now if I could just find a way to get someone else to clean up the mess after I cook, I might not mind this cooking stuff at all!

Living the life in New York!

Just A Hint of Fall Colors

The first day we arrived here, we saw one tree that had red leaves.  Just in the few days since, we've seen so many more change color.  It is still just in the beginning stages, but if feels like Fall to us now.  I love it!

Lockport, New York to Holley, New York

Niagara Falls

This is one of those things that I had on my Bucket List when we started traveling.  This is also one of those things that lived up to its hype.  It is also one of those things that is so incredible, that words can't even begin to describe it.

It is also one of those things that pictures can't truly capture it.  I still tried.  I wanted to post about a hundred of my shots from this wonderful day, but I forced myself to pare it down to a size I could actually upload using our connection.

To be up close and feel and hear the power was really something.  It reminded me of how much grander things found in nature are than things that man builds.

Not to mention, it was just beautiful.  Really, really take your breath away beautiful!

Living the life in the land of natural wonders!

Reading New York to Lockport New York