TheRapidsNerd Posted November 8, 2008 Posted November 8, 2008 Last week work sent me on a shoot to Pennsylvania, a place I hadn't been to in several years. Was very close to Hershey and Carowinds during the trip but couldn't visit either due to off-season, and lack of time. As everybody knows, travel is it's own adventure, so here's mine in pictures. Hope you enjoy! One of the guys we were filming was named Buck. His buddies decided the star needed his own trailer and promptly modified the porta-jon outside. To say they gave him crap is an understatement. Next part in a few... We looked all over for some kind of bar. Found this place and they promptly lost my coworker's debit card during the 8 foot walk to the register. We heard later at the local Ponderosa, there are known sketchy circumstances with this place. Yes, my bro was upset and promptly played phone tag with his bank to cancel the card. Poor guy had just a credit card to run off the rest of the trip. Had to get a picture of this. Too good to pass up. Speaks for itself, no? The fountain downtown. We found stuff pretty spread out and not a whole lot to do. You know it's bad when the college girls at the Target camera counter tell you there's jack to do. My coworker and I got out Monday afternoon for a little exploring...aka let's get lost for the hell of it. Nice little kitchette. I liked how it was set up, particularly the under-counter fridge. My digs at the Holiday Inn Express. We ended up with a suite you could put a bowling lane in. Nice for $70 a night! Some pretty colors in the changing leaves on our way to Chambersburg. Beautiful scenery. Notice the fine concrete detail. Oh yeah, there's some river tere too. But never mind that, just look at that concrete! One candy apple red Hilander later, and we're headed for the PA Turnpike...and in the WRONG direction. Hershey is the OTHER way. I was aiming for that cone. Seriously. Just off the plane in Harrisburg, PA. Hello to all the TPR peeps in the area. DerekRX, Nicolah, Ccron, and the other folks I can't remember. Wish I could've said I hi or gotten together with you all. From one donut enthusiast to another. Thinking of you, Rich at the Cincinnati Airport. Our ride looked a little like a Learjet, ala Big Mike style. Unlike, Big Mike style, it flew like a sardine can with free drinks and snacks. Delta keeps some cool points for that, though they started charging for ALL checked baggage during the trip. Early morning and sunny at Huntsville International Airport.
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 8, 2008 Author Posted November 8, 2008 Yep, more PA randomness... 6 tries and 2 different rooms later, I finally got to relax and explore the hotel. Apparently, all the dust hosed the card readers on the doors. The front desk thought I was an idiot who couldn't get in his room until they tried. I was so slap-happy tired, I was laughing, and just didn't have the energy to get upset. Ok, my turn for bad luck. It seems Best Western to is trying a totally new concept in rennovating around it's guests. For a second, I thought somebody was getting lucky in hotel room I wasn't even in yet. YEs friends, masking tape is the new tie or sock on the door. You heard it here first folks. Fast forward a couple REALLY busy work days and back to Harrisburg Thursday night, and we're at Gilligan's. My coworker's feast is the seafood combo, and made my lackluster lasagna a b**** and call it daddy. Yep, popular with the Moose Lodge and VFW crowd. Still some very good food. Later in the week, we ate at this popular mom and pop place. Good raspberry sweet tea. That's a rarity in that the best sweet tea is south of the Mason Dixon. The northern attempts just don't quite cut it. This, however was pleasent exception. Who cares about politically correct hot tubs when there's FREE Papa John's Wings, Pizza, and Beer on Tuesday nights, thanks to the awesome hotel managers. I did commit a party foul though. When they set the wings out, I thought the packets had just a few wings and you took a packet. It turned out, the tongs were hiding and you were supposed to take just a couple, not the whole packet. Ooops! Felt kinda bad for being a pig. Oh well, the wings were tasty nonetheless. And you thought I was kidding. These were in 4 different places around the hot tub. Here's yer sign... Where the magic happens. That or where people have busted their skulls diving in. The pool and hot tub looked good. Too bad I forgot the swim trunks. Never got to the weight room for a workout either.
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 8, 2008 Author Posted November 8, 2008 Yet more comedy.... Back to happier things. A pleasent sunrise. I watched coaster PoVs on my Blackberry to kill time. Also updated my blog during the wait. The Delta Doggy Biscuit as I loke to call it. At least they were free and not an upcharge. Yes, I'm looking at you Southwest with your $2 cans of coke and charging for all checked baggage. But I'm not bitter... Yep, it's a rockin' time at 6am. Alright, this caption is just a fail. Lol! Reflection shot for Lou, or "how to amuse yourself during a 3 hour wait for a plane". This would be my power breakfast. Why? Well, McDonald's was outside the security area, so you'd have to get screened all over again if you went to eat. That and the gift shop computers crashed when I bought the gifts and Intercourse magnets. No Intercourse for this nerd. Booo! Sorry folks. Socks + Intercourse, just doesn't crank my tracker, you know? Intercourse: the teddy bear! Intercourse: the t-shirt! Now we come to this gem. They are seriously proud of Intercourse in PA. Who knew? I liked the garland with mini Mr. Goodbars and Krackles. Almost bought it, but opted for the Hershey lanyard instead. Picked up an ornament for the parents and the big Hershey bars for some really nice ladies in HR where I work. Neat Christmas ornaments too. See? Smores! Brilliant! Oh man...now I'm all hungry... After the joys of security screening we stopped in the gift shop, which is an official Hershey outlet. Apparently they love their scented candles. After a 3:30 am get up to catch an early flight, this is a shot of the hour-fast clock. No, it really looked like blurry. I so needed coffee. Seems the writing is truly on the wall. Wadda mess! Budget cuts have run pretty deep in the hotel industry. Tile has been removed for more eco-friendly floor covering. Sadly, this isn't even the "good" paper. Backside of ice machine for the refridgerent enthusiasts. This reminds me of a few college buddies on weekends. To' up from the flo' up. The aquatrax joke is played out. I call...roller skater addition for this hallway. In the midst of all this, the toilet in my room broke and there was a blind person's convention at the hotel. I couldn't make up better if I tried. You'd think they were putting in a roller coaster or dark ride or something. I marveled at the detailed construction themeing. It actually felt like I was in a work zone.
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 8, 2008 Author Posted November 8, 2008 Just a bit more of my odyssey... And finally, Frescetta pizza (which you could smell all the way down the hall) and Powerade. Yes, the real breakfast of champoins, and a great place to wind up this TR. Thank you all for reading and hope you enjoyed. On-ride pic of Moving Sidewalk: The Experience. There are a lot of these in Charlotte. There was even a non-moving version for the health concious. They think of everything! Neat mobile in one of the terminals. Cool to get a little of Old Glory and the planes lined up in the background. Not the best pic, but I like it. Plane butts. Hey, it's what came to mind when I took the pic and you snickered a little. Admit it. Rolling into Charlotte Airport. Was through here a couple years ago on the way to Jacksonville for another business trip. In general, I like this airport. Dunno why. Just do. After a 9 am take off, we arrive in Charlotte. Hello Natatomic, CarolinaCaniac, and the other TPR folks here. Thought of you all on the way in.
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 8, 2008 Author Posted November 8, 2008 One more thing... From one train (and Epcot Center) enthusiast to another, lotsa goodies for mcjaco.
Hotlanta Posted November 8, 2008 Posted November 8, 2008 The Intercourse Souvenirs were priceless. You made a rather mundane trip very funny TR. Too bad about the hotel though.
RIP Psyclone Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 TheRapidsNerd: making randomness awesome since 2007!
dj snow Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 Yes, I'm looking at you Southwest with your $2 cans of coke and charging for all checked baggage. You've got the wrong airline. Maybe you were thinking US Airways?
printersdevil78 Posted November 9, 2008 Posted November 9, 2008 Great TR! I was actually researching hotels in the Hershey/Lancaster area today for a possible trip to Christmas in Hershey/Dutch Winter Wonderland, and I came up with a lot of "under renovation" reviews for some of the more budget-friendly places, so it's nice to have visuals (even if it is from a hotel closer to Philly). I just hate it when the room card doesn't work and the person staffing the front desk won't believe you until he/she comes and tries it himself/herself. That happened to me in Canada on the Ravine/Flyer Trip. It happened to a friend of mine a few years ago in Nashville on New Year's Eve, as well, only they never were able to fix his, and the hotel was booked solid for the holiday. They finally ended up taking the door off the hinges to let him in! Great souvenirs, too. Someone gave my mom one of those Hershey's chocolate candles for Christmas last year. So you were sent "on a shoot"? Does that make your career "photographer" or "solider of fortune"? Jason "I've Had Airport Pizza For Breakfast Before, Too" Rhodes
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 9, 2008 Author Posted November 9, 2008 You made a rather mundane trip very funny TR. Too bad about the hotel though. TheRapidsNerd: making randomness awesome since 2007! Some kind words you guys. Thank you very much! And RIP, whenever we meet up, that's 3 beers I owe you now, not one (and I'm a man of my word) You've got the wrong airline. Maybe you were thinking US Airways? Ooops, US Airways. So you were sent "on a shoot"? Does that make your career "photographer" or "solider of fortune"? Hannibal just let's me drive the van and checks me out of Bellvue once in a while. It's a living. Thanks for the kind words everybody. They've made my day.
Brandy524 Posted November 10, 2008 Posted November 10, 2008 Yes, they are quite proud of Intercourse, aren't they? I found that part very amusing. Is Intercourse Amish? That's even more amusing for some reason.
Meteornotes Posted November 10, 2008 Posted November 10, 2008 ^It is indeed in the Amish area. They also have towns named Blue Ball and Bird In Hand. dt
Brandy524 Posted November 10, 2008 Posted November 10, 2008 Hmmm...maybe they have some kind of underground tourist operation going on up there.
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 12, 2008 Author Posted November 12, 2008 Yes, they are quite proud of Intercourse, aren't they? I found that part very amusing. Is Intercourse Amish? That's even more amusing for some reason. What cracked me up was the back end of the buggy on some magnets and shirts. There's no shortage of jokes and innuendo to be had. And I thought Virginia was for lovers! Glad to bring some levity to everyone's day and thank you for the views and comments.
bobafett Posted November 17, 2008 Posted November 17, 2008 To bad your trip didn't bring you down to Philly, I could have taken you out for some cheesesteaks and some killer margaritas. Oh well next time you come this way drop me a line and I'll give you the grand tour of my hometown.
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 17, 2008 Author Posted November 17, 2008 ^ That would be AWESOME and how can I refuse? Good food, good company, and touristy stuff? You can't beat it! Wish I could've gotten together with some of the PA peeps (or contacted them at least), but we had some long work days. Even so, enjoyed the time up there and it was much warmer than Huntsville! Beautiful colors around too. And now I'm all hungry for cheese-steak.... EDIT: Revolutionary Post! #1776. Kinda makes me want to buy a tri-corner hat...or go back to Wiliamsburg.
bobafett Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 ^Just drop me a line next time your in town!
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