May 16, 2001 01:52 AM
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Ok, I confess. I was nervous. But can you blame me? After all, not only was I meeting Maggie and her family for the very first time, I was also flying alone to the other end of the country!
Maggie and I met online about two years ago. We hit it off right away, and became fast friends. We had often talked about my going to visit her in Pennsylvania, although I don't think either of us really expected it to happen. But it did! After three months of making plans and changing them, I was actually going! The night before I was to leave, I had made a trip to my storage unit to retrieve my suitcase, only to find that mice had chewed two golf-ball sized holes in it. I quickly patched them and packed. The next morning, I was finally on my way to the airport!
My cousin had given me very easy-to-follow directions to find the airport parking I was going to be using. Her last words to me were ''You can't miss it!''
Guess what? I missed it.
I mean, I saw it. A large yellow sign raised high into the sky clearly identified it as ''SUN PARK''. I saw the sign as I neared it on the interstate. I saw the sign as I exited one interstate onto another. I saw the sign as I was right in front of the parking lot.
And I saw the sign fade into the distance behind me through my rear-view mirror as I frantically looked for an exit to get to it!
I took the nearest exit, and proceeded to try and aim my car in the general direction of that big yellow sign, which by now, had completely disappeared. Twenty minutes later and 45 minutes before my flight left, I desperately called Sun Park. As I rolled down my window to ask a rather shabbily dressed man where I was exactly, they calmed me down and told me to how to get there while I kept them on the phone. I didn't hang up with them til I was in the actual parking lot. Fortunately, the parking lot was very close to the airport, so I made it with time to spare, and actually made it to the airport in Philadelphia without further incident.
Maggie and her husband Dan were to meet me at the airport. Since we had never met, I was a little worried about our being able to recognize each other. Much to my relief, she recognized me immediately! Pulling my duct-tape patched, mouse eaten suitcase along behind me, I wondered how she had recognized me so quickly.
The trip home in the mini-van was spent just getting to know each other better, and feeling each other out. This was when I first became aware of how different I appeared to them. They thought it was hysterical that I had never heard of a WaWa, and I thought that name was the funniest thing I had ever heard! (WaWa is a convenience store name)
Actually, we all laughed quite a bit the entire five days I was there. And amidst all the laughing, I learned a LOT. Some things, I was SHOCKED to learn. For example, did you know...
Southerners are easily recognizable by their accent? ''Where are you from, anyways?''
Potted meat is NOT considered a delicacy everywhere?
The things children use to color with are called ''crowns''? (The Yankee version of crayons, but we just call them colors!)
Northerners don't consider it normal to fry everything?
''Y'all'' is not recognized as proper English?
Fried pickles are NOT found in restaurants in the North?
Not all of the USA is flat?
Pecans (Pee-cons) are also called Pee-cans and P-cuns?
Restaurants everywhere do NOT have grits on the menu?
There are places in the USA where you can't stumble into a convenience store in the middle of the night to buy a six-pack?
Pennsylvania is full of Yankees and they all talk funny?
Seriously, I really enjoyed my trip to Pennsylvania. Though I stayed in Phoenixville, PA with Maggie and her family, we visited many of the surrounding towns and areas.
We drove into Intercourse (yes, that's really the name of a town) which was an Amish community. Watching the horse-drawn buggies driving down the highway was an experience I will not soon forget. Except for the fact that I was in an air-conditioned mini-van, it almost felt like I had gone back in history 200 years.
For you shoppers, out there, this area could possibly be your heaven on earth. Craft shops abound, and there are several outlet malls nearby. I could have spend every dime of my spending money in the local craft shops, especially Basketville, which is located in Intercourse. Basketville has baskets of every size, shape, and color imaginable! In addition to the baskets, they had Amish crafts, wind chimes, cookbooks (another one of my weaknesses), and local spices, sauces, jams, and syrups that were made right there.
If you are a history buff, not far from Phoenixville is the historic town of Valley Forge. Valley Forge evokes the spirit of patriotism and independence, represents individual sacrifice. This area has been reconstructed into a park to serve as a constant reminder and a history lesson in the hardships of George Washington and his army. History is at the heart of the Valley Forge area, but it's just the start of all there is to do here. They have carriage rides, water slides, air shows, craft shows and more.
Approximately 2 hours away from Phoenixville is the town of Hershey. Hershey, Pennsylvania is known as the Sweetest Place on Earth, and is home of the famous Hershey's milk chocolate bar. It is also home to Hershey Park, That's Hershey Park, a world-class theme park boasting more than 55 rides in a beautiful 110-acre setting. With eight thrill-filled roller coasters, six drenching water rides, more than 20 delightful kiddie rides, restaurants, snack shops, games, and gift shops, you are in for a real treat.
If you are in the mood for a little casino action, you can visit Atlantic City, NJ. Stroll down the very well-kept boardwalk, visit the various casinos (including Trump Palace, Caesar's Palace, Harrah's and the Tropicana. But before you lose all of your money in the slot machines, complete your walk down the boardwalk. Scattered between the casinos are marvelous restaurants and shops galore. If you grow tired of walking, you can hire someone to push you around in a buggy from one area to another.
Looking for a more outdoors type vacation? Visit Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp in Lancaster, PA. Camp with friends and family at the award winning Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, located on 63 wooded acres adjoining a 90 acre county park area in Southern Lancaster County. It's an ideal spot to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
There is so much more that Pennsylvania has to offer. You just have to experience it for yourself!
