National Unplug Day

Did anyone participate in National Unplug Day?  It started Friday, March 23rd at sundown and ended March 24th at sundown. The day encouraged people to eliminate your phone, computer, and TV during this time.

I was not able to do this!  It was in the back of my mind that I should have tried the caveman life for a day, but just ignored it! 

1. My favorite show was on TV Friday night.
2. I texted my friend and made get-together plans.
3. The computer was used to look up a restaurant menu.
4. I called a restaurant to confirm it was open.
5. I looked up addresses on my cell phone.

Oh well, at least I resisted social media sites.  Today, everything is immediate.  We need to know answers now!  I am glad I knew what it felt like not having a cell phone or computer when I was little.  Sometimes I feel excessive when it comes to being sucked into a video game or in the endless search of youtube videos.  It is best to use our technology in moderation, so we don't lose track of the simple things in life.  Getting to know your family off-line, face-to-face interaction with your peers, and even meditation can allow you to know yourself and others on a different level.

The Fifty States: Pennsylvania - Part 2

This is first in a series of states, where I will highlight my time spent in a state.  These are my own recommendations of restaurants and things to do, and I hope to share my perspective. I hope to visit all 50 states in my lifetime to see the sights and learn about each area.

Pennsylvania - My Home State

-Part 2-

Eastern PA
Bucks County - Lower Bucks I am familiar with the most.  Shopping centers multiply, and new places pop up all the time.  Chain restaurants and retail stores are everywhere.  Sesame Place is a unique amusement park for children.  In the summer months, the area will become dense with families with small children, so be wary of going to Red Robin on a Saturday.  New Hope and Peddler's Village are the ideal shopping spots.  I call Doylestown the capital of Bucks.  It is home to the courthouse and many museums.  Keep a lookout for painted mule statues in the vicinity.  There is Parx Casino and the Philadelphia Race track in Bensalem. 

Notable areas of shopping about 45 minutes away are the Limerick Outlets and King of Prussia.  Center City of Philadelphia is about the same distance away.  Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum are great day trips.  It is also easy to trek to the beaches in New Jersey; the closest one is only 40 minutes away.

Allentown/Easton - These towns are built up with plenty to do.  Dorney Park is a great attraction.  The Crayola Factory is ideal for children, but is a waste of time for adults with no children.

Kutztown has the Crystal Cave and a tiny airport.  Their 'downtown' is a CVS.  They've got a great fry place called Spuds down Main Street.  The surrounding areas are farmlands, but Reading and Allentown are a short drive away.

Jim Thorpe is a bustling little town with many historic buildings.  The train station in the heart of the town offers scenic trips.  I heard there is a lingering handprint in the old jail up Broadway, the winding main street.

Hazleton is probably the most populated town in the Poconos.  It is hidden up in the mountains.  There are a slew of churches, a local favorite diner and a once-a-year fun fest.  Many people outside of Hazleton know someone who lives there or used to.  Lake Wallenpaupack is northward from here and attracts tourists during the warmer months.  This area only has a few local country general stores.  You would have to drive about 25 minutes to Wal-Mart and about 45 minutes to a mall in Scranton.

In Lancaster, you can learn the Amish way of life by taking a tour of an Amish farm.  Buffets are popular here, and shoofly pie is a tradition.  Shopping at Kitchen Kettle Village or the outlets is a must.  You'll see horse and buggies on the road, and they may delay your travel if you are behind them on the back roads.  For a neat concept and a central location, stay at the Steamboat Inn.

Hershey is such a sweet place.  Hershey's Chocolate World will not only leave you with a bagful of chocolate and souvenirs; you will be singing the theme song all day!  Hershey Park is right next door with great rides.  In some places around this town, you can smell the chocolate in the air.  The zoo is worth checking out too.  I suggest staying at the Chocolatetown Motel for a nice short and inexpensive stay.

York is home to a very nice college campus.  It looks like a park in the summer, though there isn't much to walk to from here.

Central PA
Towns and attractions are far between in mid-state PA.  State College is where Penn State grows.  The university is a city in itself.  I only drove by and viewed it from the highway, but it is massive.  Penn's Cave was a great adventure.  You take a boat through the cave, and a bus through the wildlife.  The gift shop is enormous, and you can purchase bison and longhorn burgers at the cafe.

Ligonier is a small town with quaint shops and a gazebo.  You'll feel like you've traveled back in time.  Idlewild Park offers children (or the child in us) rides that have become classic.  They have a fun walkthrough storybook forest highlighting fairy tales.

Indiana, PA is the birthplace of Jimmy Stewart. A museum dedicated to him is above a library on the main street (Philadelphia St), and provides a great collection of his works. Cozumel is a good Mexican place across and down the street. Indiana University is also located here.

Harrisburg is our capital city with 3 exits from the turnpike to get to here.  I cannot recommend anything in particular, but it seems pretty easy to drive around.

Gettysburg is the place to learn about the Civil War.  The town is small, but very welcoming with a few quaint shops down a main street and a square in the center of town.  The multitude of museums and tourist attractions teach you about the three day battle in many different aspects, such as viewing it in a diorama or through a bus trip through the grounds.  You can easily spend a week here and see all of the sites.

The Fifty States: Pennsylvania - Part 1

This is first in a series of states, where I will highlight my time spent in a state.  These are my own recommendations of restaurants and things to do, and I hope to share my perspective. I hope to visit all 50 states in my lifetime to see the sights and learn about each area.

Pennsylvania - My Home State

 - Part 1 -

Philadelphia - This city is very history heavy surrounding colonial times.  The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Constitution Center and the Betsy Ross House are all in the same vicinity near Independence Mall. These are great to do all in one day, but you need to start out early and mind your time.  Signer's Hall in the Constitution Center is a great place to stand next to a bronze life-sized George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.  If you need something on a bigger scale, check out William Penn at City Hall.  You'll take an elevator up and see a close-up of the statue and a great view of the city. Visit Love Park for the Love sculpture.

For staple tourist food known in Philly, check out the Reading Terminal Market, buy a pretzel on the street or cheesesteaks at Pat's, Geno's or Jim's Steaks. (Jim's is my favorite.)  A great dinner out is at the Continental Martini Bar, where they have great drinks and tapas.  After this, get ice cream around the corner at the Franklin Fountain.

For science and fun, the Franklin Institute is a whole day of enjoyment.  The Mint and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are a must-see.  Run up those museum steps!

The Eastern State Penitentiary is creepily interesting.  Take the audio tour and roam around the run down prison.

Well known churches and colleges of massive scale are worth checking out.  For example, the Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and Paul, University of Pennsylvania and Temple.

Center City's roads are set up as a grid.  There are many one-way streets, so don't trust your GPS on this. 

Other points of interest are the events in the convention center.  There is the auto show and flower show if you happen to visit when they are running.  There is also the Philadelphia Zoo, Chinatown, Jewelers Row for engagement rings, South Street and Old City for nightlife.

Catch a game at Citizens Bank Park and the Linc!   Go Phils and Eagles!
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Pittsburgh - This city is very art and cultural heavy.  It is filled with bridges, mountains and bikers.  Make sure you take a native with you on your travels to easily get around the city.  The bridges, ramps and hills will surely get you lost.  There are only two inclines left, but the Duquesne Incline is a great place to start if you have never been here.  You will see the view of Point Park and where three rivers meet.  These are the Allegheny, Monongahela and the Ohio Rivers.  You'll also see downtown and the sports complex. Stop here again at night to see it in a different light!  The Carnegie Museum of Science and Art has an extensive collection, and this can be an all-day stop.  Close by is the Cathedral of Learning.  Browse through the first and third floor classrooms for the culture of many countries.  The Heinz History Center is an eclectic gallery of western PA highlights. Check out the gift shop for ketchup inspired gifts.

South of Pittsburgh there is Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob.  The Holiday Inn Express in Mount Pleasant was a great stay.  Halfway to Pittsburgh from here is Kennywood for nice day of fun rides.

The Best Western Parkway Center Inn is an awesome hotel away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  It is close enough to drive to the city, but the free shuttle is amazing.  They will take you and pick you up pretty much anywhere in the city.  Station Square is a common stop, and you can shop there or take a Ducky Tour.

Take in interesting art at the Mattress Factory and the Andy Warhol Museum.  The Frick Art Museum and Estate is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Visit the Pittsburgh Zoo in the morning to see the active lions.  Take a drive through the Allegheny Cemetery right before dusk.

Primanti Brothers is a Pittsburgh tradition where you get fries and slaw on top of your sandwich.

Take a stroll down the Strip for art and market goods.  You will find some unique gifts and plenty of terrible towels (Stillers!). Go when the Three River's Festival event is in full swing.  Downtown is filled with vendors and environmental supporters.