2007 Family Vacation: Day 2

From Day 2 - Misc

Destination:Days Inn, Middletown, RI 02842
Distance: 363 milies
Driving Time: 6 hrs. 27 min.
We knew when we left the hotel at 11:30 (on time really) that were were going to travel more miles than what we planned. A quick detour to Hershey, PA was in the agenda, but other than that we were going to wing it.

From Hershey, PA

We did get to Hershey, PA right at noon and went to Chocolate World for a free tour and some yummy samples (parking was free too!). We drove by the new, massive, Milton Hershey School which is still under construction. Back on the road by 1:15.

From Roadside America

On the way into New Jersey, we stopped at Roadside America, a tourist trap where a replica of "America" is constructed in miniatures and toy trains. Kinda neat inside. Very patriotic and leaned heavily on God's overseeing America's development. Very 50's.

It is interesting to note here, as I did to Kathy, the contract between Chocolate World and Roadside America. Hershey is very commercialized - an air of "Hershey is great, worship Hershey, make us richer.." Roadside America, while commercial in that it charged admission, it stopped there. The "city" was a labor of love and really focused on America's grit and patriotism.

From Byram, NJ

Kathy wanted to show the kids where she grew up in Byram, NJ, so we detoured 30 miles to go by her old house. When we got there, two people were standing out frot looking at the house. The street number had changed, so Kathy wasn't positive it was her old house. We pulled up to the curb and I asked if the house was for sale (hoping to get a tour), but the lady out front told us she and her husband purchased it a year ago and were planning on remodeling. We told her that Kathy grew up there 30 years ago. She offered to show us around, but Kathy declined. Too weird, she said.

We left New Jesey and drove straight through New York into Connecticut. Stopped in Stamford to find some snacks - bad move. Got a little lost in downtown Stamford. Added an hour to the trip. Ugh! Kathy did get a neat picture picture of a pair of signs that kinda spells my name.

From Day 2 - Misc

Got to the Days Inn at Rhode Island at 10:30. Checked in then got some McD's.

More tomorrow.