Hershey, PA

Since we moved to New York over a year ago, I've intermittently talked with my friend Dawn from Spokane.  The same month I left my job to go to medical school, she left to move to Hershey, PA to be closer to family.  We have been talking about getting together for a while, but nothing has panned out.  Finally, Farley and I had a week break and I contacted her to see if she and her boyfriend were available: they were.  Farley and I took the Amtrak out to Pennsylvania.  We had such a great time!  I've never taken Amtrak before so I was excited--it was peaceful taking the train.  We had a smooth ride, lots of leg room and although it took longer than flying, the time flew by (granted it was only a three hour trip).    The first hour and a half was mostly industrial areas, but after we left Philadelphia, it turned into lush, green farmland.  It was beautiful and in such sharp contrast to our everyday life in New York City.  I am kicking myself again for not taking more pictures.  I hope that the few I have will do.

After we arrived on Wednesday afternoon, we took a short driving tour before heading back to Dawn's house to meet her boyfriend and have dinner.  It was such an excellent dinner!  We had so much fun--the conversation just kept flowing and before we knew it, it was late into the night.  Dawn and Chris had to work on Thursday, but they loaned us one of their cars so we could see Hershey.  First things first, went to Outdoor World or one of those hunting/fishing/outdoor shops--I bet you can guess this wasn't my idea!  After seeing the fish in the giant tank, the hunting equipment and heads on the walls, we left for the outlet mall.  We slept in late, so we had limited time in the mall.  We both needed to look for a new suit and neither of us had much luck (but Farley did find a pair of great dress pants for a great price).  We needed to meet Dawn at the hospital for a tour, so we had to stop shopping and head out.  

Dawn works at a beautiful hospital in the middle of a corn field.  Farley and I both applied for residency there (they have everything on our dream list) and it was a great opportunity to see the hospital in advance.  I hope that we both interview there because the facilities were amazing.  It felt like it was built to push, grow and make physicians.  I think we would thrive in the hospital.  The town was a bit small, but that is okay (everything is small after living in New York).  We won't have much time as residents to enjoy any town or city so I don't really care if it is tiny with nothing to do or huge with countless things to do.  After the hospital tour, we had another excellent dinner at home and even better company. 

On Friday, we returned to the outlet mall.  I had my eye on a pair of work pants and Farley had a feeling a suit could be found.  Farley was right and he found an awesome suit, for residency interviews, at an unbelievable price.  His shopping skills are impressive!!  Then we met up with Dawn and Chris for lunch, as they took the afternoon off to do fun things.  After lunch, we headed up to go wine tasting.  The directions had a few errors so we were wondering out in Pennsylvania farm land.  We saw some Amish farms, which was very cool.  The land in Pennsylvania is beautiful.  I had so much fun just watching the scenery.  Finally we made it to the winery.  It was a beautiful building with a beautiful view and horrible, horrible wine.  Here are some pictures:   

Grapes from the horrible winery

The deck outside the tasting room

Dawn and I on the tasting room deck.

 After wine tasting, we went out to dinner at a Brewery.  I don't like beer, but it was fun to go to a local hang out and Farley had a great time trying different beers.  Next we headed to the Hershey Hotel, which is a historic hotel on a hill overlooking Hershey.  The Hershey Hotel reminded me of the Davenport Hotel, which is one of my favorite places in Spokane.  The Hershey hotel has a large veranda with a fireplace and a jazz bands on Friday nights.  It was packed out there (and a bit chilly), so we just took pictures and headed inside at the Iberian Lounge.  We had wine, appetizers and great conversation.  It was so much fun! Here are a few pictures:

On the Veranda overlooking Hershey

Outside of the Iberian Lounge

 On Saturday, we slept in a bit then Dawn made an excellent breakfast.  I think between Chris' drinks and Dawn's cooking, these two could open a bread and breakfast.  We decided to go to Chocolate World for We our last day in town.  We really couldn't leave Hershey without going to Chocolate World, could we?  took a tour and watched a movie about Milton S. Hershey, it sounds like he was an extremely generous man--he left a trust for the hospital (which is amazing) and started a school for underprivileged children (the Milton Hershey Academy) just to name a couple things .

Farley in front of his favorite candy: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

In front of my favorite candy: York  Peppermint Patties

After finishing up at Chocolate World, we headed to lunch at Red Robin.  It has been so long since I've gone to a Red Robin and I was impressed that they had healthy alternatives on their menu.  After lunch, we went back the house, finished packing and headed to the Amtrak station.  I took a few pictures from Dawn's patio--there is a wildflower field in their back yard.  It was so peaceful when we sat out here.

We had such a fun trip that Dawn and Chris decided to come to New York in November to visit us and see the town.  I am already excited for their visit!