Ricketts Glen State Park

It's starting to look very fall-ish out here in PA! Eli and I spent all day yesterday at Ricketts Glen State Park. The park is about an hour drive east of us. It was such a nice drive, we drove through a few farm towns that were cute and the fall colors were really coming out. We joked that on the drive home it got even more fall-ish. Lots of reds and oranges, very pretty. The day started off a little cool and cloudy, perfect for hiking. Ricketts Glen is known for having 20 or so natural waterfalls. We took part of a trail that went by several of them--the tallest one was 94 feet! The hiking was pretty intense, you are literally climbing down rock stairs right next to the falls. There was a family of like six in front of us that had to take a picture at every.single.one. We finally skirted around them so it was just us on the trail--it was so fun and relaxing. I love the sound of running water. We're going to go back again after the leaves start changing because the experience will be totally different. Honestly, the waterfalls were so big and beautiful you forgot you were in PA--it felt more like Hawaii (minus the coconut trees) 

My first night shift went well--although I remember why I switched to days. I work another one tomorrow, but then I don't work nights for the entire next schedule. Eli and I are starting to get excited because next week we head on our first overnight trip to Delaware. (Eli on top of the falls, Us by the 94 foot-er, Liz giving the waterfall sass, Us on the beach)

PA Grand Canyon and a Late Night

I'm feeling SO much better--two days of sleeping and drinking tea did the trick! Wednesday Eli and I decided to take a trip out of Williamsport and explore the Grand Canyon of PA. It's a huge gorge surrounded by mountains--it's about 45 minutes away. The drive was beautiful, when the leaves start changing it'll be amazing. Eli picked a trail that had a few waterfalls on it. We kept saying it was a mystical looking forest because as we got farther down in the gorge it got quieter and the colors became more extreme. Looking up the gorge it was almost blue (kind of creepy) and down by the stream was this awesome shade of green. It was very fun, we're excited to go back later in the fall. I headed back to work today, and honestly it's been pretty good. Everyone has been nice. Then I work tomorrow night, so Eli and I are sitting here drinking french press coffee and keeping each other awake. Tomorrow is my first night shift in almost three years and I'm a little excited although I'm missing my night crew from back home (shout out to my St Es peeps!). Then I have a nice four day break--not too shabby! (Us in 'The PA Grand Canyon', waterfall, creepy color change)

Rough Weekend

I worked this past weekend, it was my first full shifts on my own. It would have been great except for the fact that I've been sick the past few days. Being sick and away from home makes it rough. We're making crock pot chicken noodle soup today--hopefully that makes everything feel better. I got a ton of suggestions from another traveler at work about things to do while we're here so I'm looking forward to feeling better so Eli and I can start exploring.

The Sweetest Place on Earth and Indian Echo Cavern

Today we took our first day trip! We headed to Hershey (wahooo!!!) where the Hershey Chocolate Factory is/ was started as well as Indian Echo Cavern. Hershey is a little over two hours away so we got up early(ish) and hit the road. We rolled into Chocolate World, and it's like a little kids dream--chocolate and candy EVERYWHERE! We took a free 'tour' of how chocolate is made--there were singing cows. The ride kind of reminded me of a Pirates of the Carribean-esque ride. It was pretty cheesy, but I'm glad we took it. While we were leaving one of the staff approached Eli asking his age etc and guess what?! He got to test out some new chocolate! I didn't fit the demographic, but he gave me half his samples. At the end we got a hershey bar. We also did a little chocolate tasting where we learned some history about chocolate--and of course tasted more. By the time we left we were on overload and in need of protein. We hit up Hershey Pantry for lunch and had yummy sandwiches.

After lunch we went to Indian Echo Cavern. It was a very small tour--there were only four of us. It was neat seeing the different rooms in the cavern, but I think we both prefer cave systems. It was an easy tour--our tour guide was wearing flip flops. None the less, it was fun! There's a cold front moving through tonight so tomorrow is supposed to be nice and cool. We're planning on doing some hiking tomorrow. (Us at Chocolate World, Entrance to Chocolate World, Entrance to Indian Echo Caverns)

Who Needs an Orientation?

I completed my first two days! Let me say, this hospital just wants you to jump right on in. I got eight hours of floor orientation and then I was on my own. I'll be totally fine, but had I had no experience with their computer system I'd be in trouble. The nurses seem very nice and it's fun to meet the other travelers on the floor. The hospital is set up very confusingly though so hopefully the more time I'm there the more I can figure out the layout of the building. I'm definitely getting a range in the hospitals I work, which I wanted. I was talking with Eli this morning saying it's pretty cool that after two days of work I have three days off and get to sleep in until 8 on a Wednesday! Kind of funny, everyone here is remarking how 'hot it is'--people, it's like 90 degrees!!! I told them I came from 100s and weeks of heat!  Today Eli and I are going to get my fingerprinting done and we're going to go by Verizon to look at smart phones for me--I feel a little left out when my sisters/friends are face timing--I want to be in on the action! I think we'll try and take a trip (I'm pulling for going to Hershey) in the next few days! (Our functional washing machine!)

The Drive and The Apartment

We arrived!!! The drive out here to PA was so much easier than the drive to Washington. Eli and I did not get as many pictures because the scenery didn't really change that much. Of course we took pictures of all the state signs. So there are tons of toll roads on the way out here--we paid over 20 dollars in tolls!   We rolled into our hotel pretty late Friday night and got a late start Saturday morning. We had a short drive into PA--we kicked my b-day morning off right with sausage egg biscuits from McDonalds (my not-so-secret indulgence) and Starbucks! First impression of PA--LOTS of trees, it's going to be absolutely gorgeous this fall.

The apartment is nice albeit a little dated. We're on the top floor--which I love. And it's so quiet. The whole town is pretty quiet, we've seen people in the grocery store, but it seems like not really anywhere else! The doors in the apartment are solid wood so when I close them I can't hear anything going on in the living room, it should be nice for the night shifts I work. The kitchen is pretty small, but hey Eli and I have used smaller. Oh, and our washer is leaking, but if that's the only problem I'm not complaining. Tomorrow is my first day at the hospital, I'm not feeling any anxiety, just ready to see what it'll be like the next 13 weeks! (PA state sign, living room, kitchen, bedroom)

PA Bucket List

The Bucket List in Washington helped make sure Eli and I got out and experienced the area. There's quite a bit to do in Pennsylvania so we've narrowed it down to the top 5--

1. Do at least two leaf tours, one driving and one hiking.

2. Visit Hershey Pennsylvania

3. Visit Philly and get a philly cheese steak

4. Take a weekend to visit the coast

5. Canoe trip to see the fall colors

 

We have a bunch of other things we want to do, but we need to get my schedule to see if we have time first. My first day is on Monday. We found out where we're living today, which is exciting! The first official day of the road trip is tomorrow, so we're getting the camera  charged up today and planning our route.