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Today, we awoke early and decided that the rain and rain and rain would not dissuade us from our scheduled intended trip to the “City of Brotherly Love” and apparently, high crime rates…Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We arrived here and I was already amazed at how much has changed since I moved to TN almost 7 or so years ago. The Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey dropped me off at the Franklin Institute (now aptly named The Franklin), and they headed out to The Mutter Museum. I had decided before we got here today that I didn’t think I could handle the Mutter. I’m easily freaked out by things medical in nature and the thought of seeing preserved body parts, and god knows what else pretty much guaranteed that I wasn’t going to enjoy that. So, I played it safe and sent them to do their bidding.
Sadly, the Franklin left me a little disappointed this time around. Perhaps it was that at least 2 of the 3 major exhibits were closed or in transition which left not a lot to do otherwise. I bought the steeply priced, Museum and Movie package for a whopping $28.50. This included the museum pass, a 3-D movie and a Tuttleman Omniverse Movie. I skulked around for an hour or more and saw the new multimedia light show in the foyer area where Ben Franklin himself sits (in marble, not preserved like what the boys were viewing at the Mutter). I then went to the 3-D movie about the Sun which was interesting. As I walked out, I got a text from the Jim that they were heading our way. They were just in time for the Omniverse movie. It was a movie all about the life of VanGogh and it was fascinating and beautifully shot. I love art, but I admit I didn’t know much about the painter VanGogh himself other than that he had cut off part of his ear and gave it to a woman. While he did that, the story explained the situation further and discussed his maddening obsession with painting. It was like a joy and an almost uncontrollable addiction for him. The movie focused on his lesser known works in the context of explaining his life. It was fascinating. I had no idea how troubled he was, let alone that he ended his own life at the age of 37.
While awaiting the movie, the Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey told me that I was right on in my decision to not go to the Mutter with them. They indicated it was fascinating as it is a medical museum, but I would not have been able to stomach the suspended body parts, the fetuses, the plasticized cross-sections of real people and the giant colon (just to name a few). Funny thing was that the only thing that grossed them out was looking at specimens and smelling the odor of a museum employee heating up their vegetable soup. Just bad timing and strong scent. Eww.
After waltzing around the Franklin, we headed to our hotel, the Sofitel near Rittenhouse Square. I like my French hotels folks. We then headed over to Pod restaurant on Penn Campus and while the food was sensational, it was overly priced and small in proportion. We then got back to the hotel and headed to a local Cosi for some dessert. I had my favorite, self-made smores with Oreo cookies. As I write this blog entry, I am sitting in LaBourse the hotel Bar with my husband and good friend and drinking a beautiful Champagne Flight of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne, Domaine Chandon Rose and Perrier Jouet Grand Brut. I love my sparkling wine.
I now look forward to the wonders that tomorrow brings and I pray that the weather cooperates.
Sunday was a day of fabulous family, and some frivolity along the way. The day began with the Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey heading to the vallhalla of outdoorsmen shops, the giant Cabella’s which is near Allentown, PA. I decided to stay in at my Dad’s and read on the new Kindle and fight with the new usb modem for my laptop which still isn’t working. After a nap, the boys/men returned and soon afterwards we were descended upon by my FAMILY, not all of them, but a few choice gems! My Daddy orchestrated a “welcome home” pizza partay with yummy lusciousness from Salvatore’s in Forks. So we got to dine and dish the dirt with my nephew and his darling fiancee (Sir SodaBread Himself and Lady Teach – what I’ll name her for now until I think of a better pseudonym), my Brother (M&Ms Man), and Dolores fabulous family: Johnny, Joanne, Christine, David, and their respective adorable children. It was loud and wonderful. Not a single southern accent in the room (sorry, it’s something I love about being home folks). We talked about growing up, ragged on my dear Dad and just enjoyed each others company. I loved it.
After the family late lunch, the Jim, Sir PirateNinjaMonkey and I headed to my favorite food store in Easton, Wegmans. It’s just overwhelming. We spent a fair amount of time stocking up on some good food finds and I swore I saw one of my old classmates but I didn’t want to say anything, for fear of being wrong. We then went to my second of 3 food must haves when coming home…MARYLAND FRIED CHICKEN. It’s just so good, you wanna cry…tears of joy. After that, I shepherded Sir PirateNinjaMonkey to a Seven-Eleven in Phillipsburg so he could get a super slurpie. Then the Jim and Sir PNM took some night photos of the local scene and we called it a night.
All in all, a great day.
Hello followers and apparent fans of the Jonas Brothers (stay tuned you wacky kids, there’s a contest coming up for you scamps), yesterday we packed up the car, the Jim, Sir PirateNinjaMonkey and Me…situated the pups (our fantastic Easton Boone and Uli Bear), with Lord and Lady Dotson (aka Chris Dotson and Our Mate, Maria), and their wacky pups Ginny the bearer of liquid evil and the sassy lassy Trixie Pup. We arranged for our house sitter the lovely, Mrs. Nelly herself to check in on Iris Pants and Kira Dottie. We hit the road and started the journey around 8 AM – destination, NORTH…specifically, Easton, Pennsylvania (my hometown).
En-route, we ate breakfast at Flapjacks which is where sadly the low-carb game plan ended so far. We stopped in Greenville/Staunton, Virginia at one of my favorite gems of a restaurant, Edelweiss where we noshed on some fantabulous German Food. I highly recommend the following items if you venture there:
- Brochen (which is so close to the real thing it’s funny)
- Soft Preztel (appetizer)
- Vienerschnitzel with Spaetzel,
- Rice Pudding with Merangue Topping
IN a word, DELICIOUS. Then back in the car and back on the road. We headed into Easton, PA around 8:00 PM and I, for one, was happy to be home. While coming home is never the same since my Mom’s passing (obviously), but it’s where I feel closest to her these days. I miss her so. Anyway, we rolled in kissed and hugged the Daddy and Dolores and ran out to my FAVORITE pizza place, Colonial for some late night grubbery. I had left a voicemail for my best friend, the Perfectly Marvelous JennStoc and texted my first sis-in-love, Mrs. Patrick Star to see if they wanted to join us or I could bum-rush them but sadly, no. Still, we ordered the antipasta (must have), and a traditional Colonial Pizza and one with some toppings (blasphemous). It was so scrummy that I was in heaven. Ah…food can truly transport you back to your childhood.
Then it was back to Clover Court and home. After some good converation with the Dad and Dolores, we called it a night. All in all, day one was marvelous if not a lot of traveling (10 hours in the car). Still we arrived happy and ready for an adventure tonight.
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Today was my FAVORITE PARK day…Epcot! I love Epcot. Loved it since the first time I came here with my parents many moons ago. Somethings have changed, somethings have stayed the same (more have changed), but it’s still my very favorite of all the Disney Theme Parks. Where else can you enjoy some time in a “future” world, and then travel to other countries? All in a 12 hour day? Nowhere I know! Other than Epcot!
We got there when the doors opened and stampeded for Soarin’ since it was the one ride at Epcot that The Jim and I had not ridden previously. We got in on the FIRST RIDE! It was really nice, visual and sensory experience (wind, scents, etc.); but a small let down since we had built it up so much in our own minds. We followed that with The Land boat-ride (which I always love and reminds me that I would so garden if I could garden in such pristine conditions and lacking in bugs). Then on to Imagination, which is always cute. After that, we headed to Mission Space and barely waited any time at all. It’s still intense! Then we were at Test Track where we had the longest wait of our trip (about 40 minutes). Still it was very fun – I love this ride! A quick trip to the stores followed by a refresh at Cool Club – Coca Cola’s “try our other flavors” station (why in God’s green earth do people drink Beverly?), and we were off to traveling to faux-foreign-lands.
We ate lunch in Mexico and much unlike the real Mexico, I drank the water and it was good. My favorite world showcase moments included:
- the revamped Mexico Boat ride featuring the 3 Caballeros
- the Malestrom ride in Norway
- fresh-baked, hand-rolled pretzels and Rhine wine in Germany
- buying the Jim a Fez in Morocco
- buying waaaaay too many items in Japan (including some for the kiddo we know)
- cheese plate, Kir Royale and cream puff in France (followed by Anna’s first foray into expensive French perfume – oh how I love it)
- getting my picture taken with Alice (of in Wonderland fame)
- getting a swank glowing Tinkerbell pin that looks like she’s actually on your shoulder.
One of my favorite things of the day was going on the revamped Spaceship Earth (which was always my favorite old-school ride), and the improvements were AWESOME as they included some of the element that I loved from the old ride Horizons. All in all, a stunning day – weather beautiful, great food, good friends (even if The Dotsons decided they had enough of us half way through the world showcase and ventured out on their own).
Lastly, a gem of a find online – a trip through the old school Horizons which is no more.
Tomorrow brings the Magic Kingdom and more adventures, I’m sure.
Or, VPC is what I think I’m going to start calling that tendency for me and other people I know to have a TON of things to do at home, work, etc; right before going on vacation. It’s like things get piled up and you feel stuck under the load until you finally break free and are sipping champagne on a sidewalk in Epcot.
We’re a day and a few hours away from leaving for DISNEY and I’m very happy about that. Before we leave, however, I have a lot to do at work, then come home and clean because we have a great friend housesitting for us and taking care of our babies (thanks Miss L). Have I mentioned that I haven’t packed yet? Well…it’s because I haven’t. Add to this, I’m trying to download movies from iTunes for the trip down to Orlando because we’re doing the ultimate cool thing – heading down in a minivan of madness with our bestest of buddies (Please Feed The Monkeys and The Dotsons). However, for some reason the iTunes store is not cooperating and keeps giving me an error message. Figures…it’s got VPC too I suppose?!
If you read that first paragraph, yes…you read right. Five of us will be heading out on a road trip like no other, culminating in sharing fun at the most fabulous place in Florida…Walt Disney World/Epcot/Hollywood Studios/Animal Kindgom/Universal. I’m excited to spend my 6 year wedding anniversary with my hubby going to a place we love and enjoy (it’s on Saturday by the way – feel free to send well wishes). I’m also excited to share my love of theme parks with such good friends. Especially sharing it with Maria who’s never been to all of the above. I think she’s like a kid at Christmas time, which will truly only add to the fun.
In the meantime, wish me luck as I continue to get through tomorrow so we can get on the road. I don’t think any laxative will help the situation either.
Okay, so it sounds more elaborate than it really is right? This is our little slice of internet nonsense, which basically is our on-going effort to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our lives, our love and our continuing pursuit of pomegranates. In this modern age of movement, we’ve realized that distance is not an excuse to not keep everyone posted, so please - stop by anytime - in person or internet-ly and know that you are all never far from our thoughts.
