The Rest

Okay, okay, I'll tell you the rest... don't twist my arm (...to be said in a sarcastic voice, since I only got 1 Comment on my last vacation post... sad).

One of the best parts about our vacation was that it was not stressful. Briant and I always make it a point not to really plan too much until we get there. We don't like to rush to the next activity. If we want to do something we will... if we are in the mood to just chillax, than we do.
Monday, we went shopping in Lancaster. Nope, we didn't see any Amish. I guess they are on the other side of the city, but we had a great time shopping. Briant got some new shoes. They had one of my favorite stores - New York and Company. When we got back to Hershey, Briant and I went to see a movie. I know you may think that isn't something you would do on your vacation cuz you can just go see the same movie at home... right? In reality, we don't go out to see movies very often anymore, so we thought, why not?
Tuesday we went hiking with Briant's dad. We hiked on a little portion of the Appalachian Trail. The trees are amazing back there. I learned what a whole bunch of different plants and trees were... even Poison Ivy. I've never seen it before, cuz it doesn't really grow in Idaho very much. We hiked up Peter's Mountain.
From the top we could see the Susquehanna River, butterflies, deer, vultures, and we even saw a toad eat a caterpillar (I got it on tape!) It was a beautiful day, and a very nice hike. I found my first tick (ever!) when we got home (don't worry, it didn't get me).
That night, we went into Harrisburg to watch the BYU Ballroom Dance team. IT WAS SO COOL! If you ever get a chance to go, than do it! There was one number where they danced to 'If You Could Hie to Kolob' and there were a lot of really neat lifts. I think that was my favorite, but they were all terrific! It was nice to see some really neat dancing for once with fun, clean dancing and modest outfits!
Wednesday, we spent the morning visiting friends and leaders that Briant grew up with. In the afternoon, Briant's dad took us to see Gettysburg. I've decided that you can't really understand a place until you visit it. Well, this holds true for me anyway. Being there just makes it so much easier to learn the story, instead of trying to imagine it in your head.
From this look out tower you can see the treeline (underneath us) that the Confederate army(the South) waited in before starting the famous Pickett's Charge. You can also see Little and Big Round top behind us (on the Union's side).

Here is the Union (the North) Line on top of Little Round Top.

Here we are in the Devil's Den. The South hid here in these rocks, and their sharp shooters shot at the North on Little Round Top (behind us).

Gettysburg was a very educational place to visit. I did learn about the Civil War in school history classes, but I'm afraid it didn't stick very well. I'm sure this visit will help me retain this portion of our Nation's history a little better.
Thursday, we went to Hershey Park. There were some pretty AWESOME rides there, and we had a blast! Briant was happy he wasn't working there because he worked there for a few summers during high school.
First we went on a warm up ride (The Comet - an old wooden one that is one of the orignal rides at the park), then on to the Great Bear which was so fun I cried (you know cuz of the wind in my face).
Next, we stood in line for like an hour and a half for the new Fahrenheit ride. All I can say is WOW! So fun! That drop is 97 degrees, and we sat in the front!

We spent the next hour or so riding all the scary loopy wacky rides that make your head spin and your brain rattle inside. On the Sidewinder you go forward through twists and two loops , then when you reach the end, you go backwards through it all again. The Lightning Racer is a wooden roller coaster with two trains that race one another on similar tracks. There was one ride that looked really awesome because it launches you out from 0 to 72 mph in a second or two, and I wanted to go on it, but it was closed. Darn! We even went on the little Tilt-A-Whirl. I got a video, but it might make you sick. Anyway, by the end of the hour our heads hurt (what we must be getting older), and we were hungry.

After lunch, we went on the more calm rides like the Ferris Wheel (which Briant does not like) the Train, and the Swings.We took one more go on The Great Bear,
then we raced on the Merry-Go-Round, and got our picture taken
(I'm a "Jolly Rancher". That means I get to go on all the rides)
and had a snack (Chocolate covered pretzel with Reese's Pieces).
Then, it was time to go. But not before we said "Hi" to Mr. Milton Hershey.
What fun!

Friday, we went back to the place where it all began. I love Chocolate World. Then we went for a bike ride on a trail by Briant's neighborhood, and up the big hill again to his house.... wshew! We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and playing Frisbee.

That night Briant's little brother went to his Senior Prom, so we dropped by to take some pictures before it began.

Pretty handsome guy, huh! And his date looked great!

I took some pictures of his parents in the Rose Gardens, and then we went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday's. Mmmmm.
The next day we flew home. We had a great trip. Thanks to MIL & FIL (pronounced Phil) for all that they did for us while we were visiting, and all they do for us even when we are at home. We love you guys. Thanks for a fun and relaxing trip! See you in September!