The Drive to Cape Cod

Ned Works the Locks at the National Canal Museum

We left Carlisle for Osterville, MA where Mary's sister has a house on Cape Cod at 8:00 am. On the way we stopped in Easton, PA to visit the National Canal Museum and the Crayola Factory. The National Canal Museum is a very nice museum showing the canal phase in America's history. Easton is a the junction of the Delaware and Lehigh canals. They are very kid oriented with a displays that allow you to float a canal boat through locks, harnass a mule, buils bridges and design a canal.

In the same building is the Crayola Factory. Instead a factory Crayola has set up "a hands-on discovery center." They have a room that does show you how crayons and markers are made and then there are areas to make art. You can mold clay, paint with hot wax and create puppets.


Joe Takes His Canal Boat Back Through the Locks


Joe Presents his Alien


Ned Shows Off His Model Magic Snake

After Easton we headed on and stopped for a late lunch in Brewster, NY at the Red Rooster. This place has great burgers and my favorite, egg creams (chocolate only please.)

Only one more stop found us in Mystic, CT for a late dinner at food shack overlooking Mystic Seaport. We could see some of the ships and made a note to visit the museum when it was open. We arrived on the Cape about 10:00 pm. Mary's sister picked Mary up at the airport (thank you, Ann) and they arrived about 11:00 pm.

The Red Rooster in Brewster, NY


Carlisle, PA to Osterville, MA 482 miles 10 hrs 11 min

Hike to Nowhere

Joe and Ned, Showing off His Scraped Knees, on the Trial to Flat Rock Vista

Today the boys and I went on a hike. I picked the Flat Rock Trail to the Flat Rock Vista overlooking the Cumberland Valley. It starts in Colonel Denning State Park and goes straight up the side of the mountain for 2.5 miles.

I found out that I need to do some more walking. We were about three fourths of the way up the trail when I started feeling bad. We were about a tenth of mile from the top and the vista when I had to stop. Joe was very concerned and was glad that I chose to return the trailhead. After getting back down and having a rest I felt better.

We took the long way to the park and drove on a number of logging roads through state forest lands. It was a beautiful day other than the part of the hike where I thought I was going to pass out.

We went into Carlisle for dinner and stopped by the burial ground to visit one Carlisle's more famous dead, Molly Pitcher. The boys really liked the graveyard and we spent some time counting the number and kinds of veteran flags next to graves. We found quite a lot of Revolutionary and Civil War veterans along with the occasional War of 1812, Spanish American War and WWI.


Joe and Ned Standing in Front of Molly Pitcher


Carlisle to Colonel Denning State Park 70 miles 5 hrs 20 min

To State College and Back

Ned Inside Grandma's Booth

Today, Wednesday, we went to State College, PA. Actually the trip was to Boalsburg, PA where Grandma is participating in the The People's Choice Festival. We went to help set up her booth (The Tole Booth) and to spend a little more time with her and Grandpa since they are there until Sunday and we leave for Cape Cod on Friday.
After setting up the booth we went into State College and had dinner at The Olde College Diner. Of course we had grilled stickies with ice cream. We bought a box to take with us so Mom can have some.


Joe Loves Grilled Stickies


Carlisle, PA to State College, PA, 180 miles 3hrs 56min

A Day in the Sun

Joe tubing in the pool

Today was spent poolside at the grandparents pool. Joe and Ned were in the pool a good six hours. Their cousins Michael, Zachary, and Marianna were also there to spend the day poolside along with Aunt Megan. Grandma and Pap-pap arrived back from their trip in time to join us. Even Aunt Miss came by later with cousin Vinnie.


Ned tubing in the pool


The Cousins Love the Water


Pap-pap Keeping an Eye on Things

Later in the evening I headed into town to get some groceries and make a stop at Massey's Frozen Custard always a stop when visiting Carlisle. I did go myself. Nobody else wanted to go.


Massey's Frozen Custard, Carlisle, PA

We are Off to Carlisle, PA

Joe and Ned Ready to Go

Yesterday we set off on the first part of the trip. Ned was a bit sad at leaving Mom but we will see her in five days. The drive was uneventful and we only stopped for dinner and gas in Cranberry, PA.


Ypsilanti, MI to Carlisle, PA, 464 miles 7 hrs 21 min