10:30 AM - Lancaster County, here we come!

Nicole and I decided to save the best for last--Lancaster!

12:00 PM - Strasburg Railroad

The Strasburg Railroad was by far the most crowded destination we visited. Nicole and I, feeling very spiffy, decided to splurge and buy tickets for the first-class car (as opposed to open-air car, dining car, or coach). The train was nice, luxurious, and spacious. As we resided on velvet sofas and were served lemonade and pastries we traveled along the 9-mile track from Strasburg to Paradise--ironically named, since it did not look extremely nice... The Strasburg Railroad was first incorporated into the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1832, and originally carried both passengers and freight loads. President Lincoln even rode on the railroad! Unfortunately as the imminent demise of railroads as a major mode of transportation came, the Strasburg Railroad was left to deteriorate. It was not until 1958, after two railfans Henry Long and Donald Hallock restored the railroad and opened it to visitors. In 2008 the railroad will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a tourist attraction.

Passing another train...

The view out of the car window...

Nanner's Tip #4 - The Gap Diner

THE GAP DINER

Conveniently located on Routes 30 & 41, Nicole and I enjoyed a nice stop at a diner for some all-American pie!

I suggest the strawberry pie!

2:00 PM - Bird-in-Hand Farmer's Market

The Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market is the perfect location to scoop up some of the scrumptious local goods ranging from: preserves and pies to sausages and cheese. Open exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Nicole and I had a wonderful time wandering the stalls (although it was a bit busy).

The famous Shoofly Pie...

Shoofly pie, an Amish delicacy, is a pie made out of molasses that became a household favorite due to the fact it could be left out and did not spoil as easily as other pies. The name "shoofly pie" was given after bakers would leave the pie on a window sill to cool and would constantly have to "shoo the fly" away.

3:30 PM - Lititz: Wilbur Chocolate Factory Store & Candy Americana Museum

Outside the museum & store...

The history of Wilbur Chocolate began when Henry Oscar Wilbur started the business H.O. Wilbur & Sons in 1884. The business, which ran out of Philadelphia, specialized in manufacturing fine cocoa and chocolate products. The signature product, the Wilbur Bud (similar to a Hershey kiss), was created in 1894 and continues to be a favorite among Wilbur customers. By 1934, the company had expanded to three locations, but decided to consolidate to Lilitz, PA where the factory currently remains and operates. The company is now known was Wilbur Chocolate Company and is a subsidiary of Cargill, Inc.

The museum is equipped with old-fashioned cocoa tins, recipe cards, cocoa refiners, grinders and roasters, candy molds, cocoa tins, antique artwork, and an impressive collection of rare chocolate pots and antique glass candy jars. The museum also provides a video how chocolate the confection is made from the growth of the beans.

Best of all, there is a glass window which allows a peek into the factory itself. The Wilbur Chocolate company produces 170 million pounds of chocolate and candies a year.

Me, next to some antique chocolate molds.

Nanners Tip #3

The Bullfrog Brewery - Williamsport, PA

They have plenty of micro, local brews... including the "aging hippie" ale.

The FUNK burger... don't mess with it unless you have a huge appetite!

The blue cheese burger & sweet potatoe fries

The veggie pizza.

It was sooo good, we ate there twice! All the staff is friendly, and the food is well priced and tasty!

Day 1, 7:30 AM - Departure, young explorers!

Laura equipped with the "explorer hat"
The driver.
We're lost!
Back on track!

Equipped with Trivial Pursuit, music, David Sedaris on tape, and bundles of food, the four young explorers (explorer juniors, if you will): Nicole Kim, Maxine Krenzel, Michelle Liu, and Laura Tomlinson were off on a dangerous and exciting journey to the northern part of central Pennsylvania. They had never traveled to such foreign places! Their first stop would be the mysterious ghost town of Centralia. Things were running rather successfully until the TomTom tried to thwart the explorer juniors' plans! The sneaky GPS device re-directed the troupe to Bloomsburg, PA! Perhaps the TomTom was preventing the well-traveled explorers from seeing such enigmatic sights... but luckily a kind group of truckers helped them merrily on their way--Success!