7 cities/7days, part V

After kissing all 6 of the Kichlines good-bye (that included both dogs) we headed toward Gettysburg.

First up was the 22 min. movie which is a "don't miss."  Followed by the cyclorama.

Never heard the word "cyclorama" before?  Neither had I. 

We stood in a large room and were surrounded by a huge oil painting of the battlefield.

As we stood there, the different areas were highlighted and a narration led us through the battle.  Fantastic.

I was going to dash in here for a quick physical but we ran out of time.

I don't know who this was but I simply can not pass up a good lookin' man on a horse.

Petey's not here right now to help me out but I'm pretty sure this is the Pennsylvania monument.

He looks familiar, doesn't he?

This is the eternal flame in memory of all the fallen soldiers.  It was raining pretty good by then so Petey snapped this for me. 

Neither one of us is a history buff, let alone a Civil War buff, but we're both very glad we made this stop.  We've been talking about it for years.

30 word Thursday

I love color.
I love bright colors.
As a kid mom wanted me in color but I was stuck to brown and navy blue.
Don't like pink in my eyes!

7 days/7 cities, part IV

Just before leaving Bethlehem we decided to catch some lunch at the Sands Casino.  Part of the old steel mill has been converted into restaurants, stores and games.
We did a brief walk-about among the slots until I caught a whiff of cigarette smoke and then headed for the poison-free food court.
Now it was time to head to our nephew, Mike's, home in Berwyn, near Philadelphia.
Mike, his wife, Michelle and the kids, Amanda and Andrew took us to tour Valley Forge.  Very beautiful, rolling hills added to the experience.
 

Something to do with George Washington.

This is the ceiling of the arch shown above.  You know me, I like those ceilings and floor shots.
 

I like creepy stone faces too.  I'm just that kinda gal.
 

I thought this would be perfect for a no maintenance summer home and then I found out there was no indoor plumbing.  Deal-breaker! 

 Another something that caught my eye.

See how Michelle was standing outside this "summer home?"  Yeah she was having nothing to do with it either.
 

 Ready - aim - fire!!!

 
Time to eat - again.  We all went
to this lovely, little neighborhood
Italian restaurant. 

Mike and Michelle.  They are not in witness protection.  Since they're both lawyers, they must have found a loop hole.  hahaha.  Am I cracking you up cuz I'm laughing out loud here.

I think Amanda must have been shaking her head at her "crazy" Aunt Ellen because, normally, her face isn't blurry.
Andrew is showing you all his fake smile even though we begged him not to.  He's just that way. 
Two great kids with parents to match.
More wonderful family time.

Train station on our way to the restaurant.  We don't have trains in Allegan so I was all gawking and clicking my camera.

Arty shot!

Buddy

Indy

 Bye-bye, Kichlines. 

7 days/7 cities, part III

Peter's niece, Stephanie, and family live south of my sister's so that was our next stop.

Strolling up and down the streets in downtown Bethlehem has always been one of our favorite things to do.  Hotel Bethlehem has been there forever but we have never been inside so . . .

The hotel from across the street.  We were trying to decide if our attire was appropriate for what we assumed was a fancy interior.

We were having decision issues so we popped into the Moravian Book Shop for more contemplation.  We love this store.

Wrinkled shorts and all - here we are in the lobby of the hotel trying to look like we belonged there.

That's the Moravian star on the elevator door.  The star is seen in many forms around the city.  We have a glass star hanging in our dining room.

Here's that second mail shoot I referred to in the first blog about our trip.  You read that one, right?  No?  Go back now!

These are our great nieces.  Emma on the left and Sara on the right.  They have on weird pants because they're just weird girls. hahahaha, not really.  They were preparing for a fencing competition.

No picture of, Stephanie and her husband, Jeff because they're in witness protection for a crime I'm not allowed to talk about. hahaha, I'm crackin' myself up here.  I'm sure they'll get a big kick out of this blog, too.

We haven't seen this crew in 3 years and we loved every moment in their company.

Our BIL, Lee, was recovering from a leg injury so our visit with him was short but, again, quality time.

See y'all next year!!!

7 days/7 cities, part II

These pictures are from the Pocono portion of our trip and out of order but that's really not going to affect your life much, right?

My sister, Stacey, highly recommended this place in Stroudsburg for lunch so we struggled through the sammies (fantastic, btw) until we could order these sundaes. This one belongs to my sis. Those are Petey's fingers in the above photo.

Mine.  All mine covered in peanut butter sauce. OMG!!!

Contemplating his selection.  Looks happy, doesn't he?

As we left Williamsport on our way to the Poconos we happened upon the Little League complex.  Since Petey is a LL vet, we stopped.

Casey at Bat.  The poem is inscribed around the base and Petey read it aloud as we encircled the big man.  Very dramatic.

This spot is near a shop we went to with Stacey.  Had to check it out.

We were tempted to bounce anyway but figured the security cams would alert the cops.  How embarrassing would that be?

There's Petey not bouncing.

This is Nia.  He's my sister's Welsh Terrier and quite a guy.

My sister and BIL, John, live in this wonderful place called Lake in the Clouds in Canedensis, PA.  It's in the Pocono Mts.  We were hoping for brilliant sun and time on the deck but Mother Nature had another plan.  We fooled her, though, and had a wonderful visit anyway.