Page Updated: January 26, 2024
Pennsylvania
Our biggest leg yet, homebase for Leg 26 was set in the surprisingly beautiful state of Pennsylvania!
The new-to-us state had been on our radar since the beginning for its historical significance, and we knew it was beautiful from our drives through the state for legs 21 & 22.
The people are charming. The landscape is gorgeous. And, it didn’t hurt that is was autumn!
Loads of preparation went into this leg before we ever arrived, but it was so worth it!
Our rental for Pennsylvania was the first we’ve rented with a Ping-Pong table - score! Plus the home was quite large, and this was a big leg so we needed the space.
We’ve learned the longer the leg, the more items come out of our boxes. Since we don’t use drawers or cabinets as to not leave items behind, it was nice having extra space.
We spent a whopping 7 weeks in the Tobyhanna area. We were busy every weekend and even took some vacation time. Our location in the state set us up perfectly to explore some of the nations biggest tourist destinations and venture into 3 other states.
THE LOCAL GRUB
Steak Nachos
The perfectly vibrant La Tonalteca in Scranton gave us our Mexican dish fix!
Glazed Ham & Sweet Potato Casserole
Our very first Thanksgiving meal ever away from family threw us for a loop. We weren’t prepared for the “travelers holiday meal dynamic” but managed to find a great choice at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Philadelphia.
We came for the Toasted Old Fashioned, and the selections at the The Mill in Hershey were equally tasty. Though the venue worked hard to make it an exceptional experience in the rustic historic mill, it was overshadowed by patrons running amuck.
Peppercorn Steak Salad
scenes from the leg!
THE FUN STUFF
10/20/2022
Set on the only anthracite reserves in the United States - Pennsylvania’s Northern Anthracite Coal Field, the Lackawanna Coal Mine opened in 1860…
Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
10/24/2022
Scheduled to be scrapped after decommissioning and saved after a successful campaign, the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Intrepid has incredible history…
USS Intrepid
10/24/2022
Launched April 1958 and named after USS Growler (SS-215) which was lost at sea in World War II, the second of the Navy's guided-missile submarines…
USS Growler (SSG-577)
10/25/2022
Between 1892 and 1924, Ellis Island served as the principal gateway to American welcoming millions of immigrants. Today, the Ellis Island National Museum of…
Ellis Island
10/25/2022
Lady Liberty is appropriately located on Liberty Island! Gifted to the United States from the people of France, the Statue of Liberty has stood in New York Harbor…
Statue of Liberty
10/25/2022
Located in Liberty State Park, NJ, the Empty Sky Memorial honors the 726 New Jerseyan victims of 9/11. Two steel beams from the World Trade Center sit…
Empty Sky Memorial
11/12/2022
Mount Tammany Red Dot Blue Dot Loop
Oy… busy. Both lots on the north side of I-80 were full. Parked in overflow on the south side along the river…
11/13/2022
Estimated to date back more than 440 million years, Indian Echo Caverns features Beekman limestone and maintains a steady temperature hovering around 52°…
Echo Dell Indian Echo Caverns
11/13/2022
Located in Hershey, PA, Hershey’s Chocolate World is full of all things chocolate! Visitors to Chocolate Town can learn how Hershey treats are made on the…
Hershey’s Chocolate World
11/18/2022
Lehigh Gap Appalachian Trail to North Trail
Hiked counter-clockwise. Trail is rocky and steep-ish on the way up. Gusty on the ridge with some views and a handful of campsites for thru-hikers…
11/19/2022
Located in the Brandywine Valley of northern Delaware, the thousand-acre historic estate of Winterthur contains a 175-room mansion of the American horticulturist…
Winterthur Museum & Gardens
11/20/2022
Encompassing more than a thousand acres in the Brandywine Valley, Longwood Gardens of Kennett Square, PA is a botanical and horticulture masterpiece…
Longwood Gardens
11/25/2022
Independence Hall, now part of Independence National Historical Park, is the sight of some of the most significant events that helped create and shape…
Independence Hall
11/25/2022
Part of Independence Hall Historical Park, The Liberty Bell is the focus of Liberty Bell Center. Entry is free, and no timed reservation ticket is required…
The Liberty Bell
11/26/2022
The first of its kind in the world, Eastern State Penitentiary received its first prisoner in 1829. Over the next 141 years, the historic 10-acre prison housed…
Eastern State Penitentiary
11/27/2022
IThe historic six month winter encampment of the Continental Army, Valley Forge, now the focus of Valley Forge National Historical Park, encompasses 3,500 acres…
Valley Forge
11/30/2022
National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks and the souls who gave their lives to help others, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum shares the events…
12/01/2022
Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral was built in the early 1800’s and served as the seat of the Archdiocese…
Old Saint Patrick’s Catacombs
12/01/2022
The One World Observatory sits atop 99 floors of Lower Manhattan’s One World Trade Center - the tallest building in the western hemisphere. Three floors…