Pennsylvania revisited

Ray and I are currently in the middle of our annual 2 week vacation. We started taking 2 week vacations around the end of May/beginning of June last year and enjoyed it so much that we decided to make this an annual thing...as long as our respective employers keep employing us and providing vacation time, that is. There is just something about being off work for 2 weeks in a row that is good for the soul, the sanity, the life outlook...you get the picture. So we are now at the start of the 2nd week, with the 1st having been spent in Pennsylvania; visiting family, friends and breweries, getting a glimpse of our favorite trail, finding a new trail plus our 1st ever stay in a Bed & Breakfast.
We started out in South Eastern Pennsylvania, around Reading area, where we meet up with one of Ray's old football buddies. Ray and his old friend Mike spent time comparing old football injuries while his wife Laura showed me her horses and goats. Suffice it to say we all were well matched in conversation topics! We had a nice meal and plenty of good conversation!
We stayed at the Blue Mountain Summit B&B for a couple of nights info here (we had the run of the place out 1st night, which was both weird and fun in equal measure). This B&B has the AT cross right beside the parking lot; perfect of us. Unfortunately, the weather did not allow for a hike on the AT this time (2 days of rain and the AT don't mix well for me) but I did get a look with plans to return to give that piece of the AT our full attention.
We were able to hike a couple of trails at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary check it out here. This was a fairly rugged trail that allowed for some of the most beautiful vistas in the area. We plan to return to take the 3 hour trail named "The River of Boulders" trail, which sounds intriguing and a bit scary.
We also visited Pottsville, which holds the oldest American brewery: Yuengling Brewery enter only if you are 21 or older:). We took the tour, had a couple of samples of the beer and walked/drove through the town. The streets in this town are quite steep and narrow so we had a bit of an adventure there!
We also found time to visit the Rodale institute very cool info here. I've wanted to visit this historic place for a long time. J.I. Rodale was the founder of the organic movement so anyone that knows me should understand my attraction. Ray liked the look of the grounds and the different gardens that we found. Our last stop on the way to our final destination was the Vynecrest Vineyard good wine found here. I purchased a couple of bottles and was able to taste a few samples.
We then left that part of the state to head north to the Scranton area. Nephew Clayton graduated high school this year and we were able to make it to the party. Ray's folks were there (it was also Bev's birthday on Saturday so double fun was had by all) along with many family members and friends, lots of good food and good company! We stayed for a couple of days and headed home yesterday. We enjoyed ourselves immensely but we are sure glad to be home with another week off work! Sending thanks to Craig and Lisa for their hospitality! We had a great time and hope to be able to visit again soon. And now, pics from the trip (you knew those were coming)

Ray and his old friend Mike

our B&B room...it was small but cozy

in the B&B restaurant waiting breakfast

we really did have the run of the place

this part of the state has the coolest old barns

at Hawk Mountain

Ray checking out the view

at the end of the hike

the original sign for the Sanctuary

in the rain at the Brewery

Ray heading into the brewery of the tour

in the production room

these cans were zipping by...I'm surprised that this pic turned out

old kegs

they used to fill the kegs in an old hand dug cave under the brewery

it was rather creepy down there

cheers

an ominous message, perhaps?!

on one of the crazy streets in Pottsville

Ray at Rodale institute

I want this sign for our place

cool sign in the winery

Bev, Paul, Clayton (newly graduated) and Cullen

Graduation cake; Clayton is heading to Loyola in the fall

Ray wrestling with Cullen

Paul, Craig, Bev, Ray

We celebrated Bev's birthday on Saturday, too

some of her gifts

random puppy cuteness (this is their dog Candy...she is a sweety)

Like I said, we are glad to be home but we were so glad to have been able to celebrate with the family and visit with friends. This week is all about getting the house and garden ready for the summer, plus having some downtime to relax and enjoy life. Hope you are all finding time to do the same.