Wolf's PA Adventures

Wolf’s Great PA Adventure

    This started long before the JDSC in Ohio. As a matter of fact, it start way back in March when I wanted to come out to see Pup (aka WolfPup aka Susan Moyer) in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Things didn’t work out then, so…I have a sister, Laura, who is married to Seymore. He has a sister in Baltimore, Maryland. I was chatting with Pup one day and told her I would LOVE to visit her, but flying was out of the question, too expensive, or taking a bus would take too long…. I was talking to Laura one day and she mentioned that they were going out to see Seymore’s sister, Patsy, in August when we had a week’s vacation. I asked if I could “hitch a ride.” She said I would have to ask Seymore, but she didn’t see why not. So that’s what I did! And he said SURE!
    On July 30 at 3:30 a.m., I was awake and ready to go. I had stayed overnight at their house because we knew we were going to leave EARLY in the morning. Manuel (my hubby) had dropped me & my bags off at L & S ‘s house the night before and everything but my pillow (I don’t go anywhere without my very special John Denver pillow! Thanks Rabbit!) and my teddy bear were packed. Coffee was put in travel mugs and we were soon on our way out East!
    It takes about 10 hours to get to Pa. As we traveled, I slept, read and talked. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel restaurant for breakfast. We ate until our bellies couldn’t hold anymore. We also stopped to get gas and at plenty of rest areas along the way.
    As we neared the PA border, I put my book down and stared out the window and thought about the past weekend. About seeing Pup again and also meeting Pauletti, whom I had talked with on the phone and emailed and before that, written snail mail letters to. We are to meet up with Hummingbird (aka Eileen Stein) also.
    It was approaching 3:30 p.m. when we got there. I got out and knocked on Pup’s front door, but there was no answer. Laura got out and told me that Pup was at the side door! I rushed around and gave her the biggest hug I could! I quickly introduced Laura and Seymore to Pup and her to them. She showed us her home and all the Longerberger baskets, Nascar items and beanie babies she had. She has a beautiful home and she had offered to share one of her 3 bedrooms with my sister & brother in law. They declined saying they wanted to get a motel room and “get romantic”. Enough about that! LOL! Laura, Seymore, Pup & I had unloaded my things from the van and we decided to meet up with them after they checked into a room somewhere.
    While they were gone, Pup showed me to my room and I gave her things I had brought for her. A musical wolf cookie jar was given from Mary Padget (aka Country Roads) and some personal things by me. We talked about all the things we were going to do the following week. After I got settled, Laura and Seymore drove up and we were on our way out to dinner. I wanted to stop and get a pair of sandals as well.
    Pup suggested going to a place called Hoss’s. It served everything from seafood to chicken. We laughed and talked all through the meal. I think that Laura & Seymore, and Pup all hit it off quite well. Laura had chatted with Pup several times on ICQ.
    We then went to a Walmart in search of sandals for me. With the season being almost over, pickings were slim at most. No luck at Walmart. So we tried a store called Ames. The choice were the same as Walmart, BUT, I DID find a pair of sandals I liked. Soon we were being dropped off at Pup’s house. Laura and Seymore wanted to swim in their motel pool, but they said they would be back later.
    Pup had set up her computer so I could get my email, but she checked her mail first. There was an email from Manuel saying that Mom was taken to the hospital for tests. It seems she ate some very badly spoiled food and now she had an infection throughout her body. I called Manuel to see if we needed to go back home, and he said that our daughter, Ellie, had talked to the doctor and everything was ok for right now. They wanted to keep her in the hospital for a few days. I still needed to get in touch with Laura…only one thing…I had no idea where they were staying! The next morning they were heading for Baltimore. I called all around to different motels and no one had them listed. I knew from that point on, we would make sure we knew how to get in touch with each other. They never did come back to Pup’s that night. Pup and I talked until WAY PAST her bedtime! But it was ok, cuz I’m her Mama!
    The next morning we headed to Waterloo, New Jersey. We are to meet some JD sisters and brother….Pauletti (aka Windstar Child) , Natalie (a woman of MANY NAMES! LOL!), and Harel, Pauletti’s hubby.

Waterloo Lavender

    As usual, Pup and I arrive early and took our gear (ie. Presents I had bought for all, cameras, & bottles of water) to a nearby picnic table. It was warm that day, but cooler than it had been the pervious week. I had also brought a book that Hummingbird had given me the weekend before at the JDSC. It was a belated birthday gift, Chicken Soup For Lovers. To my delight, there was a story that TOM CRUM had written in it! I began to read to Pup out loud some of the stories I had already read. I wanted to share them with her. As I was reading, I stopped. I asked Pup what if Pauletti would sneak up behind me when I was reading? I would be so embarrassed! Pup assured me she would let me know if she tried something like that! I had spoken to Pauletti on the phone numerous times and I know she likes to prank people!
    I needn’t have worried. After a few minutes, I caught my first glimpse of her bounding down the walkway. When she spied us, she ran and gave me a big hug! Nat and Harel (who I call Doc) weren’t far behind! Soon we were all sitting at the picnic table and I was passing out presents. Nat called me Mrs. Clause! LOL! I don’t think so, but I love to share…
    We walked around Waterloo, which is an old pioneer village that became a ghost town. They have an amphitheater where John had performed. Pauletti & I clowned around in the stockade! I thought I was stuck at one point! HELP, PUP! LOL! We talked some about Waterloo and I had given Pauletti a wooden flute. She loves playing instruments and she loved the flute. At one point I “captured her” leaning up against a tree, sort of in her own little world. I think the picture turned out nicely…
    We made our way towards the Indian village, which was down a path far from the rest of the village. We watched a video about the area that was settled by Lenape Indians along the Musconetcong River. After the Lenape were pushed westwards, Andover Iron Works was built on the land. During the Revolution, the Iron Works was confiscated by the Board of War. In 1831, Waterloo became an inland port with the opening of the Morris Canal. The coming of the railroad caused the Canal to be dismantled and Waterloo became a residential area.
We made our way back after touring the village and listening to a very informed fellow named Kurt. We talked with him for a few minutes and he seemed very nice.
    As we walked back towards the main area, Pauletti told me that Nat had gone ahead to talk with a friend of hers. She was a guide who was talking about life in the pioneer days. We joined Nat and soon we were heading out. But before we left, I asked Nat if we could hear her new song, My Sister, My Friend. She had a copy of the tape, due out around Oct, in her car. We all piled in her car and listened to a very beautiful song. I didn’t cry, but I was on the verge of it. I had one more surprise for Nat & Pauletti. But first, Pauletti gifted me with a lovely window ornament. I think it’s a daisy, or perhaps a buttercup. Anyway, she had made it herself. I loved it! The final gift I gave Nat & Pauletti was a 11x14 poster of John. Patty Peavey had taken the picture at the Higher Ground lecture in Chicago, July 1989. The next thing I heard was a scream from Pauletti, “DADDY!” You see, Pauletti had “grown up” at Windstar and John had been a father figure to her. I thought she was going to cry….Nat loved the picture too!
    We decided to grab a bite to eat at McDonald's. Afterwards we had our picture taken by Doc….He didn’t want his picture taken…

Pup, Pauletti, Nat, Wolf

    All too soon, it was time to leave. We hated it but Nat had some business she had to take care of. We had said we would meet up later on in the week.
    It was a 2-2 1/2 hr drive from Pup’s New Cumberland home to Waterloo. So Pup and I had plenty of time to reflect on the day’s events. We really had a great time. Hopefully we can do it again real soon.
    When we got “home”, I checked my mail and Pup checked hers. I had another message from Maunel about Mom. She was to stay in the hospital for a few days. I called Seymore’s sister, Patsy, and talked to Laura. She told me the reason they hadn’t come back the night before was that they both got sick and went to bed. They didn’t even get to swim, which is the one thing they wanted to do. Laura said no one had called her about Mom, so she called home. We were to meet up with them in Baltimore on Wednesday. We were going to meet Swishy (aka Mary Butler) also!
    After I hung up, Pup and I talked some more as we downloaded all the pictures I had taken that day from my digital camera. Soon I was nodding off and fell asleep before Pup did.
    I thought I would get up later than I usually did, but I guess my body timer said no. I started to get up and walk into the bathroom to get ready for the day’s events, when I saw Pup. She was already up and dressed! I don’t think she EVER sleeps! LOL! I quickly showered and got dressed while Pup checked our messages. It’s an hour later in PA then it is in Indiana. Something that irritates Pup and I to no end! There were no messages from home, so I assumed everything was all right.
    Pup and I went out to McDonald’s for a quick drive through breakfast. And soon we were off to a flea market called Silver Springs. It was hot, but not so much as the week before. We walked all over the place looking for anything with JD on it. Just as we thought we weren’t going to find ANYTHING, I spotted a BRAND NEW Hard Rock Café Aspen hat! WAY COOL! Unfortunately, they only had one cap. I asked Pup if she wanted it and she told me to keep it. I also bought a touch tone lamp with glass panes & wolf decals on them. I thought Ellie and Lee would like it in their new home. Already I was thinking about Christmas.
    We left the flea market and headed to a warehouse filled with nothing but flowers and crafts. When we pulled up I couldn’t believe my eyes! The place was huge! Manuel and I are going to renew our wedding vows in Aspen this Oct. and I wanted to buy flowers at a discount. We are also sharing our Renewal with a couple (Sue & Gary Smith) from England! Sue and I had decided to go with white daisies (we had them at our wedding), Columbines, and Aspen leaves. Although the warehouse was full of so many different types of flowers, they did not have Columbines. Pup was so helpful in choosing the flowers. I couldn’t have done it without her! Choices are not one of my strong points. I thought I would have to spend a small fortune. But when we were done and got up to the checkout counter, I was shocked at how much we got for prices! We saved a ton of money!
    We went over to Pup’s parents' house in Lititz, PA. MAN! If you are a Nascar fan, you should see their basement! It looks like a museum! They even have a big screen t.v. and bar. It’s something to see! They could charge admission! I love Pup’s family. They are truly nice people. I can see why Pup is so giving and loving. Her dad, Jim, and her mom, Jean, treated me like family. I had met them last year in Aspen. They thanked me for taking care of and being friends with Pup. They needn’t have. I am and always will have a bond with their daughter. I met her sister, Deb, and JP and Justin, Pup’s youngest nephews.
    We had made arrangements to go see a folk singer named Tom Chapin (Harry Chapin’s brother) at a park near Pup’s parents. We had packed a cooler and some sandwiches. We were off!
    The park is a very nice one sprawled out around a lake. Pup showed me where the PA Friends Of John Denver had planted a memorial tree for John. I took a picture of it, but I can’t find it! I stood in front of the tree and reflected a little about him and how this place was so fitting. Traffic was beginning and I knew we had to find a place to park and sit our lawn chairs. We were to meet Hummingbird (Eileen Stein) and her family.
    We found very good seats (placement of our lawn chairs) and Pup went to see if Hum was there yet. She came back after a few minutes and told me she hadn’t spotted them. The sun was setting and the air was getting cooler, much to our relief! Just when we thought Hum wasn’t going to show up, she comes up behind us! Her family decided to stay home, so she was alone. She set up her lawn chair behind us and we talked until the concert began. Although I loved Tom’s music, I felt a little sad, sorta like I did at the John McCutcheon concert in Indiana (for more information, see the Fiddler's Gathering story under Family Fun). Sad because it wasn’t John up there singing. But I KNOW he was watching from above. Tom sings folk songs with messages, much like JD did. He also does children’s songs.

Tom Chapin with band members, Michael & John

    Hum got up at intermission and checked out the table set up with his CD’s and things. She hurried back to me and said that he had a tape/storybook named Yellowstone and it was about the wolves! Well, as some of you know, that got my attention in a “New York minute!" Turned out it was the last one. Hum and Pup had to order one if they wanted one. As I was browsing, I noticed something else that got my attention. A CD with Tom Chapin and John McCutcheon! Hmmm…think someone was telling me something???
    After the concert, Tom and his band members offered to sign autographs and answer questions anyone might have. I was the only one to buy anything, but Hum and Pup both had a hunger pamplet that they wanted signed. Pup took the chairs and cooler back to the car while I waited patiently. I allowed some children to go ahead of me. I knew that they probably needed to be in bed anyway! I think Tom noticed this because I saw him smile at me a few times. Hum and Pup joined me as the crowd was thinning. When it was our turn, I let Hum go first. After her things were signed it was my turn, Tom asked me what my name was…guess what I said?! You bet I said, “Yellowstone Wolf!” He looked up at me as if he didn’t believe me, but my sister and daughter were there to back me up!
    He smiled and wrote in the book, “Yellowstone Wolf, This one’s for you! Tom Chapin”. I was thrilled! Hum suggested taking Pup and my picture with him and his band and so he said SURE! Soon we were saying our “see ya laters", as we were joining Hum and her family on Wednesday at Hershey Park.
    When we got back home (my home away from home), we worked on installing a CD in Pup’s computer. I had brought a disc of clip art for Pup to have since she is the webmistress of this website. She also downloaded some pix off my digital camera.
    I tried to stay awake, but I was beat. I curled up with my teddy bear and fell asleep on my JD pillow….
    I thought I would sleep in a few minutes longer the next day, but again I only managed about a ½ hour longer. Today we were going to pick up tix for Hershey Park, go to a trading post and then to my surprise, Texas Roadhouse for a belated birthday dinner! After a breakfast of bagels while we downloaded more pix, we headed to Pup’s workplace. It’s a naval base outside of New Cumberland, called the Naval Supply Systems Command. She is a program analyst and works with presentation silver that was given to ships during their commissioning. We went to pick up discount tickets for Hershey Park and also get some money to run on. Plus the money order to send to NWF with the total, $515.00, from the JDSC silent auction.
    From there we headed to the post office to mail some packages to friends and the money order. Then onto Jake’s Trading Post. It’s a store with lots of Native American items in it. We had stopped at one on the way to Waterloo, where I bought my great nephew, Nick, a dream catcher. I had also bought some moccasins for the Renewal (which I later gave to Pup’s sister, Deb). I talked Pup into getting a beautiful watch with turquoise on the band. I told her I would pay ½ if she did. So she bought it and she loved it.
    Next stop…Pup wanted to take me out for a belated (July 27th) birthday lunch. She wouldn’t, however, tell me where she was taking me! I asked for a hint, and nothing. Not even a clue! Until finally, we pulled into a parking lot with a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant! I had to laugh! When she came out to visit me, I had taken her to one here! I guess she must have liked it. She even treated me to a strawberry margarita! After a delicious meal, we headed to a craft store called AC Moore. We still needed to find the Columbines! No luck at AC…so we headed back home in New Cumberland, making a detour to Ben Franklin. We found some blue ones there that were perfect. Last stop was Ames to find some transfers for t-shirts. But they didn’t have any we liked.
    We headed back to Pup’s place and watched a video, and “dined” on rolls & cinnamon butter left over from Texas Roadhouse. Soon, with our bellies full, we had to call it a night. We were beat.
    After I showered and dressed the next morning I called Manuel at work. He said that Mom was doing OK, but if I wanted to know more, to call Ellie (she works nights). So I did, she told me that Mom was improving. She told me that she had talked to the nurse handling Mom’s case. Ellie had asked if we should come home and the nurse told her that she didn’t think so. I was relieved after that and I could enjoy my visit more.
    Today we were going to Hershey Park and meet up with Hum and her family. Pup doesn’t live but 15 minutes from there. We got there early. Chocolate World, a “factory” owned and operated by Hershey, opens up at 9:00 and the Park doesn’t open until 10:00. We sat out at the picnic table and waited for Hum and her family. They soon arrived and introductions were made. I met Jeremy (age 16), Amy (9) and Josh (14). I also met Hum’s hubby Lance (but I won’t tell how old his is! LOL!) I think we all got along great! We took a tour (more like a ride at Walt Disney World) where they showed us how they make Hershey’s chocolate. At the end of the tour they took our picture and they gave us small Hershey candy bars. We browsed around the stores, conveniently located, and then left to enter Hershey Park itself. Hum and her family wanted to visit the water park area, and Pup & I wanted to check out some rides and shows. So we decided to split up and meet back for lunch at a place called the Country Grill. We agreed and we were on our way.
    Pup and I found John’s star on the WALK OF FAME, I tried taking pix of it, but the sun was in the wrong place, casting a shadow. Pup and I decided to go to a dolphin show, but when we found it, we had to wait about a ½ hour. So we ventured into the ZooAmerica of Hershey Park, but we couldn’t see a whole lot of animals. Either there weren’t any in pens, or the ones we did see, were sleeping. It was a hot day. We wound our way back through the zoo and stood in line for the dolphin show. We really enjoyed the antics of the sea lions as well as the dolphins.

    After the show ended, we strolled back to where we were to meet Hum and her family. As we passed the archway and the Walk Of Fame, I tried again to take a picture of John’s hand print. It was still too shadowy to get a good shot. Oh, well, I was bound to get a shot SOMETIME that day!

    We got to the Country Grill as the show was almost over, but we were early for the next show soon to begin in about a ½ hour. We stood for a few minutes and after the show, when people began to leave, we found a very large table near the front and sat down to wait on Hum and her family. They soon arrived. They loved the waterpark and had rode the rapids several times. We told them we wanted to do that later on. Pup ordered our meal. Hum talked to Lance and he and the kids decided they wanted to eat somewhere else. They wanted tacos instead of chicken, imagine that! LOL! Anyway, we agreed to meet them back at 4:00. After the country show, Hum went on rides with Pup and me. All to soon 4:00 arrived and we met up with Lance and the kids who told us all about riding the big roller coasters. I’m not one to ride rides like that, last one I did was at Walt Disney World in Florida and it was Space Mountain! NEVER AGAIN!
    We then headed to the White River Canyon ride. We had to stand in line for about 45 minutes, but that was okay. It seemed to move very quickly. Soon it was Hum, Pup and me in one raft, Lance and the kids in the other. Hum had boasted earlier to us that she hadn’t gotten very wet…well, her luck was just about ready to change! You guessed it, she got drenched! Pup and I got wet, but nothing like Hum did! We had such a great time!
    We wanted to take in another show after the ride and then go get something to eat. We didn’t realize that they had on the AIR CONDITIONING! Pup, Hum and I were frozen! But it was a cute show about Love Songs throughout the years. However no JD! How dare they! LOL! We met up with Lance and the kids again and the kids wanted something different than us “grown ups”, so Lance went with them. Hum, Pup and I went to another café and ate chicken sandwiches. We met back up with the others and took a ride up on the Kissing Tower. It’s shaped like a giant Hershey Kiss and goes up in the air. It’s all enclosed and revolves so that you can see the whole park. Since it was getting pretty near closing time, it was the last ride we rode on.
    We stopped in some of the shops for some last minute treats to take home, and then it was our final “see ya laters.” Final hugs were given and promises of emails and ICQ chats were made.
    We got home and checked on emails, and Pup started putting pix that we took with my digital camera, into the computer. We had also picked up photocopy paper for running off pictures for a memory book that we were going to start on Thursday. Soon we were so tired, we couldn’t hold up our heads. So we hugged and said our goodnights.
    We arose early again on Wednesday. Today we were going to meet Laura, Seymore, Patsy (Seymore’s sister) & Swishy (a JD sister aka Becky Butler) at Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Md.

Inner Harbor Skyline

    Pup had gotten tix for us for the Baltimore Aquarium and we had to be there by 9. It was about a 1 ½ hour drive. We stopped at McD’s and got drive through (hmm…I see a pattern! Pup doesn’t want to cook! No, I’m teasing, we just didn’t ever have time - we were on the go so much!), and were on our way.
    We arrived at Inner Harbor around 9:30. We drove around trying to find a place to park close to Balt. Aqua. We soon found a parking lot close to not only the Aquarium, but also the Hard Rock Café (it was right next to it!). We parked the car, unloaded our things and walked the short distance. We went up to the window at the Aquarium and showed the teller our tickets. We asked when the next dolphin show was and she informed us it started around 11:30. We were to meet everyone at the Hard Rock at 12:00. We walked around the 3 stories of the building and saw all the beautiful fish and sea animals. We ventured into a re-creation of a tropical rain forest. It was hot and muggy in there so we left. We saw divers feeding stingrays by hand and marveled at the antics of some penguins. Soon it was time to make our way down the dolphin show. We quickly found seats beside 2 women. Pup had worn her JD t-shirt and one of the women exclaimed she LOVED John! WOW! Pup and I gave her the url for not only my website, but also the GP. She thanked us and we settled down to watch the show. We laughed at the sea lions as they clowned around for the audience. The dolphins were great also! They were better, IMO, than at Hershey Park! The speaker was giving us information about the different kinds of dolphins and how to tell them apart. It was very informative. The show only lasted about 30 mins. and we thanked our new found friends and left to walk the short distance over to the Hard Rock Café.
    By the time we had got there, we were late, or so we thought. We walked around outside Hard Rock and down to the ESPN building. It was a huge building filled with video games! I can just see my son Jeremy now! He would have thought he had died and gone to Heaven! LOL!
    Pup and I went into the Hard Rock to buy t-shirts for my family back home, and a teddy bear (I collect them) for me. Just as I was trying to decide which t-shirts to buy, a lady walked up to me and said, “Hi, Diana!” I was taken back for a few seconds and then it registered, it was SWISHY! Oh, wow! Another new JD sister! FAR OUT! I made my purchase and we walked outside. Pup had bought her adopted Dad (Manuel, my hubby) a black t-shirt. I told her she didn’t have to, but she wanted to.
    We sat outside and ordered drinks, non alcoholic, at a little bar. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed talking and getting to know each other. Laura, Seymore and Pasty hadn’t arrived yet.
    Pup and I very seldom go anywhere without bringing gifts. And this was no exception. Pup had told me the other day that it was Friendship Day. We had bought Hum a candle & plaque for her friendship gift, and we also gave Swishy a candle and plaque. She was just as thrilled as Hum had been, which made Pup and I feel great!

Me giving Swishy her gifts

    No sooner had we given Swishy her gifts, than our party showed up. Introductions were made and we went into the Hard Rock for some lunch. Seymore and his sister, Pasty kept us entertained throughout the meal and we laughed so hard, we cried!

Swishy, Pup, Me, Patsy, Laura, Seymore

    They were going to Atlantic City the next day to gamble on the slot machines. I gave Laura $10.00 and asked her to win me some money. After we finished our meals, we all hugged and went on our way. Swishy, Pup and I went to find her 2 sons who were busy at the ESPN center. We then decided to take a “water taxi” around the harbor. First stop was by a mall that had a Discovery Channel Store. Swishy spotted Laura and gang (standing on the pier) and we yelled at them to come join us. We all laughed at each other and had a very nice time. We decided to get off where we had found my sister and her party. We went into the mall and looked around. Laura had gone somewhere and she came back to tell me she had just came from the Discovery Channel Store. I didn’t think I could afford anything in there. Pup and I had glanced around and saw the high prices so we left. BUT Laura had indeed found something she thought we would be interested in. She showed us a video called Wolves At Our Door by Jim Dutcher! We had seen him on t.v. and I had always wanted that tape! I bought it and hurried out. Swishy and the boys had gone in search of a paper to find out where the Baseball Hall of Fame was. They were to have a special opening of a JD exhibit. John had always sang, Thank God I’m a Country Boy at the 7th inning stretch. Soon it was time for Swishy and her sons to leave. One of the boys wasn’t feeling well so she felt it was best to take them home. Hugs were exchanged all around and we told her we would see her online when we got home. We walked over to where there were a couple of musicians getting ready to perform outside. Laura told us she had heard them and they were quite good. We sat and listened to them for awhile. Laura told us they had to get back to Pasty’s house and so we reluctantly said our “see ya laters.” And hugs were given all around.

    Pup and I sat on a half wall and listened to the entertainers for a few more minutes before we decided it was time to head home ourselves. We had a bit of trouble finding the right road, and for awhile, we weren’t sure where we were! But we found our way and got home all right. Pup made more tapes and we entered the pictures we took with my digital camera into Pup’s computer. After we ate some rolls (left over from Texas Roadhouse), we checked our messages and then Pup printed out some pictures of the JDSC for a memory book we were going to start on the next day. We gathered all the things we would need for the memory book and then turned in for the night. I know it probably sounds like we went to sleep early, but I assure you, that was NOT the case! LOL!
    Thursday we got up around 7 and ate cereal. I must tell you guys, Pup is such a good hostess. She made sure that I had my coffee in the mornings (even though she doesn’t drink it herself) and made sure I had plenty of Diet Coke. She was always asking me if I wanted this or that. She’s one in a million.
    Today we are going to take it easy. Stay at home and not get rushed by anything. This was the day to start working on the memory book for Ellen Stapenhorst of the Ohio John Denver Summer Celebration….
    Pup printed out some more pix of the JDSC for the book. And dowloaded the rest of the pix we had taken on Wednesday. It took up most of the morning just doing that! We then went to a Chinese restaurant called Evergreen Chinese Buffet. The food was good, but we got there kinda late so there wasn’t a whole lot left. Then I decided we HAD to go to Walmart! I took Pup to the electronics and told her I wanted to buy her 2 things…a cordless phone because I was sick and tired of rushing out to the living room when the phone rang. We got that and also an answering machine. As you may know, Pup is hearing impaired (she detests the term deaf although she is legally) and she told me she couldn’t hear the answering machines in the past. I told her this was PROOF I would be back! She was so worried I wouldn’t ever visit her again! I wish I had gotten the answering machine when I first got to her house because I was afraid I would miss a call about Mom. We headed home and plugged in phone and answering machine. We had to let the cordless phone charge overnight. But I left a message on the answering machine and wanted to see if Pup could hear it. We even had Pup's sister, Lori, call her and leave a message. Pup could hear her! We spent the rest of the night working on the memory book. Pup showed me what to do and I did it. I had never made one in my life but it was kinda neat to do! I can’t wait to do one for Aspen! Would you believe we worked on that book until 1 a.m.?! Then it was off to lullaby land…..
    Friday was another busy day for us. We stopped at Micky D’s for breakfast on the run. Then went to Chocolate World again. We took the tour and I wanted to get some personalized chocolate bars to take home with me for my family. Jeremy, my son, wanted me to bring him some Kit Kats. We went back to Pup’s parents' house (which is about 45 minutes from Pup's) and put the candy in the fridge before going to the local post office to mail the memory book to Ellen and the videos to people.

What a pretzel?!

    Pup took me to the Lititz Pretzel House and I got to make my own pretzel! It was fun and interesting to see how pretzels are made.

Making pretzels

    We needed some more flowers for the renewal so it was back to the flower warehouse. One could spend the whole day in that HUGE place! Lori wanted us to stop by her house to say hello. She was just recovering from surgery and couldn’t move around much. She is such a nice lady. Last Dec. she lost her husband and it has been rough on her ever since.
    Pup was having difficulties with the flower bouquets and Lori suggested we try the basket warehouse. I never knew so many warehouses existed! LOL! That place was a big as the flower warehouse!
    The only thing the flower warehouse didn’t have was columbines. But Ben Franklin did as we discovered! We also looked at t-shirt transfers, but didn’t see any we liked.
    Next stop back to Pup’s parents house to get the chocolate. Pup had a cooler so we wrapped the chocolate up and put it in there. We again dined on Chinese cuisine at a place called New Forest. The food was better and there was more on the buffet, which we liked. After supper and sitting and talking about the week so far, we decided to head over to the local Baskin Robbins store. We both had yogurt and then headed home.
    Sat. was a sad time for us. Laura had told me that Seymore and she would be stopping to pick me up and spend the night in Pa. What I didn’t realize (and to both of our delights - Pup and mine) was that they were coming from Maryland. Stop over in Pa. meant that they were going to get a room near Pup’s house for the night and we were to head out the next morning!
    Anyway, getting ahead of myself….Pup & I went to a flea market where we thought we were going to meet Pauletti and Doc, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It was a miscommunication all the way around. After sitting in the parking lot (the flea market we learned wasn’t open until 4 that afternoon) for about 3-4 hours we decided to go on home. On the way back, we stopped at an AC Moore store (like Michael’s Nursery and Crafts) to look around.
    As I explained earlier, we thought I was going home that evening, and as we sat at Pup’s house and I got all my stuff together, we didn’t speak much. I called Patsy to find out if Laura and Seymore had left her house yet, and she said that they had, which made things even worse. Ten minutes later, they pulled into the driveway. They came in and I said I was ready to go. They looked at me funny and told me that we weren’t leaving until the following day! Yippee! One more day to spend with “my daughter”! They were starved so we went out to a place Pup had suggested called Rascals. It was yummy! We decided to go to a mall afterwards to see if we might find something for Pup to wear for the Renewal. We couldn’t find anything and it was getting late, so we headed back to Pup’s house. Laura and Seymore said that they would call the next morning to let me know they were on their way. We all hugged and they left for their motel. Again Pup and I talked long into the evening hours as we searched for a wayward sock or something. We had hugs and tears and tears and hugs. But I assured Pup that it wouldn’t be long before we were together again when she flew here to join “Dad” and me on our journey to Aspen.
    I didn’t sleep very well that night. Mostly realizing that this was my last morning to be with Pup. She felt it too. We both got up and took our showers and dressed. She felt bad because she hadn’t fixed me any meals. I told her that was ok, cuz we were always on the go. Besides she hadn’t stopped at the store to buy food! LOL! I told her not to worry about it because next time we wouldn’t be so rushed.
    Suddenly the phone rang, it was Laura telling me they would be there in about 10 mins. Pup looked at me in a way I was afraid she was going to cry! If she had, I would have too! Ten minutes really flies when you don’t want it to. Seymore pulled into the driveway in what seems like 2 minutes! We loaded up everything and gave out one last hug. I climbed into the van and shut the door.
    We hadn’t gotten more than a block before I realized I had forgotten the chocolate! Seymore was nice enough to turn around and let me get it. Pup’s mouth flew open when she saw us! I explained I had forgotten the candy that she had put in her freezer!
    She went and got it for me. AGAIN, another hug and this time we were headed back home again. An adventure I will NEVER forget thanks in part to Laura and Seymore, but mostly because of my JD family and my daughter, Susan aka WolfPup.

Watch for our Great Outdoor Aspen Adventures coming soon!
See More Pix!
Waterloo and Tom Chapin
Hershey Park
Baltimore Inner Harbor
Pretzel Factory Tour

Related links:
Waterloo Village
Tom Chapin
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Visit Hershey, PA
First Pretzel Factory in America

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