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Weekend Get-away
Mike and I just took a weekend away to relax a bit. Thursday we drove over to Scenery Hill, PA to the 250 year old Century Inn that we stayed at years ago. It was still beautiful and peaceful and run by the same family. No TV, just a quiet evening, a good sleep, a brisk morning walk before a hearty breakfast, and a good time overall. It was still 40-ish in the morning Friday despite clear sky and sunshine, and it didn't get above 55 all day. <br />
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We drove back roads through the countryside up to the site of the 9/11 Flight 93 crash. The memorial is still being completed, but it is already a very moving scene. We walked quietly up the marble wall looking at each name and remembering that awful day. <br />
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The actual crash site can be seen across a field, but is blocked to the general public. On the 10th anniversary last week, all the physical remains of those on the plane were buried at the site in three coffins.
Only family members are allowed back there now, which is a good decision, I think.<br />
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From there up to Gettysburg and a few hours at the battlefield museum seeing artifacts and history education. Fascinating stuff! We drove ourselves over part of the suggested auto tour, but it was getting late and we've been there before, so we didn't do the entire thing, instead we stopped to get a good dinner and checked into a motel for the night.<br />
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Saturday morning we again drove back roads through the PA hills and countryside, passing Amish buggies and watching the early signs of fall tinging trees as we headed north. One short side trip wound us back through the woods to an overlook above the gorgeous "Grand Canyon of PA". <br />
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We managed to get to Niagara Falls in plenty of time to walk the park area and snap some pictures at the top of the falls,<br />
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then paid our $11.00 each to walk "under" the base of the falls in a rain poncho and rubber sandals --- but got soaked anyway! <br />
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The Cave of the Winds tour actually takes you down to the very foot of the falls where you are enveloped in billowing spray and mist, the roar of the water overwhelms any talking, and looking up to the top of the falls and the sky lights up the spray with beautiful rainbows! The winds are no joke. Apparently the falling water generates winds and the final (closest) platform is entitled "Hurricane Level" for good reason. I hadn't done that in years, and Mike had never done it. We both thought it was a highlight of our weekend!
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Originally Posted by leo3wheel
