Sunday, December 31, 2006

A Pleasant Pennsylvania Run

I'm writing this from Pennsylvania on my father-in-laws lap top computer on this the last day of 2006. I had intended orginally to compile the year end stats today but hadn't really considered the fact that all my data is on my desktop computer at home in Californina. So the big year end wrap up will folllow sometime next weekend.

Last Friday we flew non stop from LAX to Philiadelphia on Southwest Airlines. My wife found very good fares that we couldn't turn down and if you've ever flown Southwest you know that a non stop flight across the US is unheard of. My in-laws live in Annville near Hershey and Harrisburg, PA. Friday night we pick up pizza at CC's Pizza and then drove over to Hershey to see Sweet Lights, a drive through Christmas light show. The lights were really cool. There were some fun animated displays of roller coasters, snowball fights, etc. I took some pics but will have to wait until the return home to download them.

Saturday we drove to Stamford, CT to have lunch with some relatives. Getting to Stamford is a 3.5 hour drive through PA, New Jersey, New York and then finally CT. We had lunch at Pellici's. I had the tortellini pesto; wonderful. I've waited at least 8 years to return to Stamford just for the tortellini pesto.

Today I was able to go for my final run of 2006. My in-laws live in a small, quite, rural community so I was able to just run out the front door and head down the road. I saw a total of 14 cars in the 6 miles. I ran out their little neighborhood, took a left on Louser Rd and the next left on Mount Pleasant Road. It was 42° and cloudy when I left the house at 11:30 a.m. I wore shorts and a long sleeve, My father-in-law thought I was crazy going out in shorts. At first my hands were freezing. It was a little windy. It took a little longer than normal to warm up. I was starting to think that maybe my father-in-law was right. When the road turned south, the wind was at my back and the comfort level improved significantly. When I hit Route 322, I turned around and went back.

Later today we visited Chocolate World for the Really Big 3D Show and the Chocolate Tour. After each attraction you get a free piece of Hershey's chocolate. The end of the tour conveniently dumps you into the biggest chocolate gift shop you've ever seen. We spent nearly $60 on chocolate. Later tonight after dinner and board games we may go over to Lebanon to watch the bologna drop. That's not something you see everyday.

Today is the first official day of training for the next marathon but with the travel I may postpone things a week. I would like to explore the Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails and some trails in Mount Gretna before we leave if it fits into the schedule.

15 comments:

Wes said...

Oh, I would much rather see a bologna drop, rather than a peach or an apple! LOL. I luv Southwest Airlines. We don't get to see them much unless we fly out of Birmingham. And the tortellini sounds wonderful. I fell in love with it while stationed in Germany. There was a little Italian restaurant at the front of the base I just luved. Long sleeves and shorts in 41 degree weather sounds just about right to me, but runner's gloves would of been a good idea. Not at all suprised you didn't have any!

Anonymous said...

Pellici's? Yummy. No fair.

Anonymous said...

by the way.....Happy New Year!

Backofpack said...

A bologna drop is very strange. And then they give it away to be eaten? Does it bruise?

Happy New Year Darrell! Look forward to our 2007 meet-up!

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Have fun in PA Darrell...

Happy New Year!!

Bob

Journey to a Centum said...

Darrell,

Sounds like you are getting a good carbo load while visiting in PA. I've heard about a huge vintage car swap meet that is held in Hershey PA. A former workmate of mine would go every year to pick up parts for his Model T's and Model A's.

Have a safe trip home. Look forward to seeing those year end stats!

Happy New Year!

Eric

Joe said...

Ask your FIL to look at my temperature chart...you had 4 extra degrees before you needed to wear tights!!! You could have thrown in some 99c cotton gloves from the hardware store and been fine. But you didn't ask me for advice now, did you??!! Sorry!!

Wow, LAX to Philly nonstop on SW...now that is really amazing.

My brother-in-law is from Hershey...said the whole town smells like chocolate. I guess if you work at the factory, you can have all the chocolate you want. After about 2 weeks of employment, most never take any again!!

Enjoy the vacation, Darrell.

Anne said...

Sounds like you're able to cram a lot into the trip east. It also sounds like similar temps out here. I too ran in shorts and 42 degrees this morning.

Anonymous said...

happy new year!

Beanie said...

Happy New Year Darrell. Sounds like a great trip!

Sarah said...

Hmmm...chocolate! Nice that you are getting a change of running scenery and getting some good food too! : )

Ryan said...

Welcome to the Northeast! Glad to hear you’re enjoying yourself! It’s funny how the air in Hershey smells like chocolate…it really is the Sweetest Place On Earth!

Happy Running in 2007

CHEERS

Unknown said...

Happy new year. Hershey sounds like my kind of place!

Rae said...

Happy New Year!! Hershey is a great place to visit, we were lucky and got to explore PA a couple of years ago. Beautiful!! Have a safe trip home, too!

matt said...

hey darrell,

had you ever traveled this much before starting on your journey to run a marathon in each state? you have seen some amazing things this past year. almost as impressive as your running accomplishments. i wish you and your family the very best in 2007, buddy!