It was my first "taste" of sweet chocolate Earth. The ride up there wasn't bad. Last summer, my family drove over 20 hours to Orlando, Fla. Now, I love traveling, but that was the longest trip I've ever taken in my life. This trip was four hours, rest stops included. Luckily, the weather in Pennsylvania was pleasant.

There is so much to see and do at Hersheypark! The rides, the games (especially the arcade!), Waterworld, the Hershey band, and even a mini-feature in the theater. In the theater, I watched the "Hershey High" musical. A lot of acting and dancing, so not boring for deaf ears, smile. I'd duck into one of the many gift shops when I needed a break from the sun.

It was great seeing everyone just hanging together and having a great time with their friends and family. Some of the youth were Kendall/MSSD students. They were more anxious to get to the park than they were to leave!

While we were waiting for the rest of the group, those of us that were waiting made one final stop..........CHOCOLATE WORLD!!! That was the one place that no one on the trip had been to. You know, as you take a ride through the factory, you can actually smell the chocolate...mmmm! I don't think anything has ever smelled so sweet! The children surely enjoyed this one. My digital camera in hand, I went crazy snapping pictures as we went through the factory...and was caught by the factory camera taking pictures of visitors as they came out of the factory. Pictures are below.

We were scheduled to leave the park at 7:30pm, but there were some people MIA...so had to wait. By the time we left the park, it was almost 11pm (I know, 3 1/2 hours). I was exhausted and anxious to get home. Then I remembered the 40 minute drive from Arlington, VA to Bowie, MD that awaited me...ohhh boy!