Having gotten to sleep late after carousing in downtown Baltimore the night before, Mas and I were up early next morning (6) to get on the bus to Harrisburg. It was a good opportunity for more sleep and I was out for the count. Mas had thought to take a guided tour of the PA capitol building in Harrisburg before getting the free shuttle to the Days Inn in Hershey. At first, I wasn't thinking that was going to be so great. I'd been through Harrisburg plenty of times on the train, but then you really don't get the full appreciation of a town that way. But it was a beautiful day, the trees were blooming, the grass was green, and walking around Harrisburg and the capitol was great, despite my need to hobble slowly. It is one of the most ornate buildings, inside and out, that I have ever seen. They built it in 1906 after fire had knocked out the previous one. Studying the interior, I learned just how much weight steel buildings can hold. (This is even useful in my current job.) The House chamber (the largest room) has 6 chandeliers totaling 22 tons suspended from the ceiling! The paintings, most of which were done by the state artist, a woman, were quite European in style. Other windows were stained glass pictures (Tiffany-style). There was Vermont and Italian marble everywhere.
It was primary day and local election day in Pennsylvania. On the ride to Hershey, the roads were loaded with yard signs. It was just a ridiculous display, and most of the signs were local elections.
Dropping the bags we set off on foot for Hershey's Chocolate World and the town Trolley tour. I didn't realize it would take us half an hour to get there. I suppose it would have taken less time had I been able to go faster. The tour inside Chocolate World was quite entertaining. We got to see how chocolate is made; it's quite an intricate, lengthy process. They are quite proud of their cows (their milk used in the milk chocolate).
On the trolley tour of town, we learned that Milton Hershey was a dogged fellow, having first investing in a caramels business, going
belly up a few times, and eventually, with great last-minute drama, having gotten a loan at the point of yet another bankruptcy to fulfill a large order from
England. That was the key to Hershey having had the money to develop the new recipe for milk chocolate (then only dark chocolate was
made and only adults - rich ones - ate it). Thanks to Hershey and his wife not being able to have kids, they started a charity for
underprivileged young boys. Now, the profits from Hershey products all benefit a wonderful charity - what has become a really big co-ed
school with first class buildings, auditoriums, sports facilities and housing (not dorms, but group homes - single-family style houses that extend out for half
a mile from the school) for orphans and underprivileged children. It's more like a college campus. We saw the
various factories around town - Reeses is the biggest seller, Kisses, Hershey bars, they all have their own factories. The one in town
is supposed to be one of the largest anywhere. And they gave us lots of samples!
The weather was spectacular and flowering trees were everywhere. The walk back from Chocolate world, what with the walking there, and climbing some stairs, not to mention the earlier walking about Harrisburg, my knee had had enough just as we entered a dangerous tunnel under the train tracks (no sidewalks). My knee sent out a jolt of pain and I couldn't stand on it at all. Cars started stacking up on either end of the tunnel. Just then, Mas signaled to a cop car, and we got a ride the rest of the way J (I can't see that happening in NYC…)
Concert
On the walk to the theater we passed the Chocolate Workers Local (union) building. What a hoot! The theater at Hershey is a block off the main drag near town center. The exterior of this old theater is fairly plain, but the interior is quite ornate. Had some time to chat with Hal at the merchandise table before the show. I didn't see many fans that I knew. We were pleased to hear Voices in the Sky! This was the first time I'd heard that in a decade or more. The harmonies on it were really nice. Since this was my second concert, I reasoned (incorrectly, as it turned out), that maybe I'd hear this three times, but no. This was the only time out of the last six shows. Go figure. Otherwise the concert was similar to the Baltimore concert. There were lots of glowsticks tonight (compared with one or two in Baltimore). Someone was passing out lots. Everybody continued to be in a good mood. I wasn't able to write this up as thoroughly as I would have wanted. Camera security not an issue. I took 149.
The photo interest may be in anticipation of seeing
some chestal exposure from TDMH.
