Vacation 2020

A few weeks ago we were able to use our yearly purchased vacation certificate at a resort in Pennsylvania.  We originally scheduled our vacation for May in Cape Cod which I was very excited about because it was near to Plymouth Plantation.  However, due to the closing of the resort, that vacation was cancelled.  While this place in PA wasn't exactly the cape, it was still a nice place.  The resort itself was nothing like last years' in that the actual "clubhouse" was completely closed to the public- so that meant no dvd or book rentals, no shuttle service, no game rentals, no activities, no boat rentals...etc. But where there's a will, there's definitely a way to have fun.  Surprisingly, the resort was pretty booked, so because our girls are early risers, we spent most of our time in the morning outside when most everyone was asleep.  

The buildings almost look like apartment buildings....because technically they were.  They weren't as nice as last years, but they were clean, and we literally had a lake in our backyard, so that was really nice!

Though the clubhouse was closed, we were given a card that gave us access to the playgrounds which the girls loved, and also a private beach. 

We went to the big state park a few days and went on hikes.  The girls learned to find fun things to find and look at- acorns, leaves, caterpillars, etc.

They could have kept throwing stones in the river all day if we'd let them!

When we finished our hike that day, we drove through a small town called White Haven that we were told was home to the BEST diner ever.  We went to the diner and for sure, the burger they made for me was a big as the plate.  Plus, the waitresses were friendly, down-to-earth and didn't treat us like we carried every germ known to man because we have kids.  So that was Nice!! :-)

The next day, we were to the private beach.  We were the only people there because it was cloudy.  

Dan bought the girls water guns to squirt and they loved them...'til Lucie chewed them up haha!

Our vacation mostly consisted of hiking, and playing on the playground as you can see. :-)

I wasn't about to go buy sand toys for the girls just for a few days, so we improved and used a tupperware.  :-)

Our last day there we filled with lots of fun activities.  We went back to the state park, and saw a waterfall (which was hard to get a good picture of because everyone and their brother was half-naked, playing in it....)

Instead of spending much time at the waterfall, we went upstream and waded in the water and sat on rocks.

Then we went to the Boulder Field in the state park.  

I've never seen anything quite like it on the east coast!

Then when we finished there, we ate a quick lunch of leftovers and drove to Knoebels Grove Amusement Park while the girls napped in the van.  I haven't been to Knoebels since right after we got married, but I used to go yearly with my family as a child.  I never used to understand how my parents were totally cool with not riding any rides themselves except for the ferris wheel.  Now I get it....as a parent, it is SO MUCH MORE FUN to watch your children having fun than to be tossed around in a ride and get headache after headache.  That's how I know I'm getting old! haha!  Rides never used to give me headaches at all. 

We all got on the Ferris Wheel, which was nice.  Of course, I wore my Trump hat there, and got tons of compliments on it by the way.  

The girls had so much fun!

These little ponies were definitely Gwen's favorite.  She still talks about them a few times a week.

Because we were required to wear masks, I was fully expecting to only stay an hour or so, but we ended up staying the full four hours.  There was a christian singing group at the theatre which was near where we were the whole time.  

In general, this area of PA where we went on vacation doesn't have a ton to do, especially with the scamdemic, but we found fun all around us.  We also were able to go to a WONDERFUL church full of amazing, friendly people who encouraged our hearts.  We invited the Pastor and his family over to our place and it was lovely time of fellowship.  As a Christian, it should be second nature to be able to find commonality with other believers and seek to be a blessing.  When we do that, in turn, we are blessed.  More about that subject to come!

Stay posted!!