Hiking

In preparation for our trip to Alaska this summer we decided to break in some new hiking boots by hiking the Brissy Ridge Trail at Paris Mountain State Park. This is a 2.5 mile loop trail known for being challenging, steep, and rooted. It contains an over 500 foot elevation change. It traverses through hardwood forests, offers mountain laurel and rhododendron, and connects to the Kanuga and Pipsissewa trails.

House Hunting

We spent an April morning looking at new homes being built in the new Del Webb community in Mauldin, SC. This is a 55+ community that will feature a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, ballroom and lifestyle director. It will also offer an outdoor pool, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, and a scenic “river walk.” Not sure if we are ready to move yet but the amenities look nice.

Trip to Pennsylvania

Every year the senior group from our church, the Power Company, plans a trip. This year we were able to join them for the first time on a four day/three-night bus coach trip to eastern Pennsylvania. Part of the fun was joining 38 seniors on the bus as we travelled back and forth. During the two long days of travel we got to hear about everyone’s background as well as eat, pray, and sing together.

Day One: The Amish Experience Tour

Our first full day we were near Lancaster, Pennsylvania and we got to participate in The Amish Experience Tour. On this particular tour, the tour guide joined us on our bus and took us to four businesses that included a goat farm, convenience store, leather works, and quilting guild. While we drove to each location the guide told us interesting facts about the Amish and how they lived their lives.

Day One: Sight & Sound

Later in the afternoon we attended a showing of Joshua at Sight & Sound Theater. Sight & Sound began nearly 50 years ago in rural Pennsylvania when a dairy farmer went from producing milk to producing live entertainment with a purpose. Now with two state-of-the-art theater locations, an online streaming platform, and a film studio, Sight & Sound brings powerful stories from the pages of Scripture and history to life on stage and screen. We had previously seen Queen Esther (in Branson, MO) and David. They do a fantastic job bringing Scriptures to life through acting, singing, and stage design. Watching the walls of Jericho come tumbling down was fascinating.

Day One: Shady Maple

We ended our busy day by eating at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Let’s just say the food choices was a bit overwhelming. We spent entirely too much time at the dessert bar.

Pennsylvania Accommodations

Of our three nights, our favorite accommodation was the Fulton Steamboat Inn. This is a steamboat-themed hotel near Lancaster. It has both nautical and Victorian-themed guest rooms. There was great scenery around the hotel and they also served us an excellent breakfast.

Day Two: Philadelphia

We drove to historic downtown Philadelphi and picked up another tour guide. Stops included the Art Museum with the Rocky statue, the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin’s Grave at Christ Church, the YO sign, and lunch at the Terminal Market.

It was a great first trip with the Power Company. We will look forward to our next trip in the future.