July 4 – Day 1, 2 & 3
Day 1 – We left our house at 7:00am and headed for Harrisburg,
PA a 13 hour trip. Everything when well
and we switched drivers every couple of hours.
When Barb was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, all of a sudden we
came to a complete stop. We found out from
the Waze app that there was a major roll-over 9 miles from us. We waited an hour before finally moving again. From what we read, the cars at the head of
the line waited for 2 ½ hours!!
After we finally started moving, it was after 8pm so we
stopped at the first tollway rest stop for a bathroom break and something to
eat – big mistake on eating. We ate at
Burger King and the food was terrible – but we ate most of it.
We then got back on the turnpike and had an uneventful final
part of the drive and checked into a TownPlace Suites in Harrisburg and crashed
for the night.
Day 2 – It was a beautiful day when we left the motel and
went to Hershey, PA to the Hershey Chocolate Company. Barb had been there before, a long time ago,
but Ed had not. We arrived just before
the main building opened and so were able to park close and get in before the
crowds got there.
We started out with a free 30 minute simulated factory tour
which was really very good and the best tour that we took all morning.
We also had a tasting “class” which was fun and a tour of
the town of Hershey which not very good!
It was a fun ½ day and then it was time to head for New Jersey.
We arrived at our hotel in time to check-in and then we went
to Liberty Park to took a boat to Ellis Island – wow – what an interesting site
to see. We only had a little time but we
were glad that we went.
Then we took the ferry back and drove to mid-town Manhattan
and went to Jeff and Vera’s new apartment which was only a couple of blocks
from the UN on the East River. It was a
beautiful place and they had totally gutted the apartment that they purchased
and made a beautiful, very modern apartment – which they own. Tim and Barbara from Virginia were also there
as they had come in the day before and were staying at Jeff and Barb’s.
We followed them in our car to an Italian Restaurant and
were joined by our friends David and Barbara, also from Long Island. We had a very good meal and then said good
night to everyone.
Day 3 – We slept in a little and took a Uber car to the port
arriving at 10:30am and were in our cabin by 11:00am. After leaving our bags on the bed as they
still had some cleaning to do, we walked around a little and then met everyone
for lunch on the back of the ship. After
lunch we went to our room and unpacked and then met everyone again on the top
back deck to watch the ship leave the New York harbor. Jeff and Vera were pointing out all of the
sites as we left. Then ship just cleared
the bridge and then we were out into the Atlantic heading for Bermuda.
The show was a comedian who was pretty good.
Jeff and Vera and Tim and Barbara had purchased suites and
there is a special restaurant for just people who are staying in suites;
however, the casino upgraded us to allow us to eat in the suite dining room so
we could eat with the other two couples and the food was outstanding.
Then it was on to the casino where we found out that we knew
a number of the staff so it was fun talking to all of them again.
We had a great night in the casino and both Barb and Ed won.
Tomorrow is the first of two sea days before we get to
Bermuda so it will be fun and relaxing.
Night – sweet dreams!!
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| Outside the main entrance to Hershey World |
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| On the top deck leaving New York |
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| A beautiful lady!! |
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| Leaving New York behind us |
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| Very close going under the bridge |
