Too much good stuff

Odometer: 15240
Gas: 2.55

Hershey PA - Yes, that Hershey.

Missy has been trying to get us here for a few years, but with our schedule and the munchkins it didn't work out until now. It is about 15 miles outside of Harrisburg PA and yes, it was created by Milton Hershey.

Very cool history to that man and to this town. And did you know he created a Hershey, Cuba too. I didn't, and I imagine the company lost it when the communists took over, but don't worry, before that happened, in 1928 the guy who ran Hershey Sugar cane factory there signed a deal to provide all of the sugar to Coke and the deal lasted through world war II. So I think Milton got a fairly good return on his investment either way.

Well, of course we toured the facility. They have set up "Chocolate World" as their visitor center. Has a ride of a fake factory with singing cows, 3D movie, trolley tours, candy store, etc. Zoe loved it and we rode the ride 3 days in a row, an added bonus is that this area is free! And at the end of all of the rides and tours you get free kisses or twizzlers - we think that may have been why Zoe loved the ride so much.

There is a huge amusement park and water park area too, but aimed at much older kids so we avoided those while visiting.

We took the adventure trolley tour and had a great time. The driver and two tour guides ride with you and sing and pass out candy while driving you around the campus and giving you the whole history of the place. Zoe sat in the back of the bus and completely ignored Missy and I. She made friend with a family from we think the Carolinas from the accent and just conversed with them during the whole hour tour.

One day while at chocolate world, a severe thunderstorm came through. I hadn't rigged the trailer for such but thank goodness someone at the campground looked out for us and made sure we didn't lose the awning, mat, or any of Zoe's toys that were outside.

We also went to the separate Hershey museum. Very nicely done. Had many old Hershey wrappers and tins (I swear we have one of the tins from the 50's still in the cupboard at MiWuk). They also had a time line from the start of the company when there was no chocolate, just caramels all the way to new products of 2009. The listed every product ever made, when it was introduced and if and when it was discontinued.

We also drove up to the Hershey hotel - it was modeled after a hotel in Egypt Mr and Mrs Hershey had stayed at. Very pretty place on the top of a hill overlooking the whole Hershey campus.

This fancy show truck passed us on the way, you can see our reflection in the chrome.











A mobile church at a truck stop outside of Harrisburg PA.










I really don't know if these numbers are correct - but since they changed everyday that we rode the ride I assume yes. This pic was from Friday night so these were the highest we saw the production numbers go.





Just a part of the candy store.

Bro and Sis chillin in the trailer.