Phew... What a week!

This is going to be a photolicious post, so be ready.

This past week was my week off between terms, and boy was it an eventful week.  It all started last Saturday when we made an excursion to Atlantic city.

First we played on the beach.

Then we explored the boardwalk and other such famous Atlantic City sights.  

One of our favorite spots was in the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.  The inside of the casino had an Old Havana theme-- Cuba.  So we happened upon these 2 restaurants side by side- P.F. Changs (where we decided to eat- yummy!)- China- and Red Square- Russia- which had a giant statue of Lenin outside.  We thought the whole Communist theme was hilarious.  Good times. 

 It was a fun day, but was exhausting after the train ride there, the day packed with fun and over 10 miles of walking, and the bus ride home.  I know I slept well that night.

On Monday, we, along with Zack's parents, embarked on the 4 or so hour drive to a little town in upstate New York called Auburn, where Zack's mom was working for the week.  On the way, we got to stop for lunch in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Yes, the very one.  And if you don't know what I am talking about, shame on your for choosing not to participate in an important aspect of today's cultural tradition. 

On Tuesday, we took the drive out the the church history sights in nearby Palmyra.  We saw the Hill Cumorah

the Erie canal (whoop dee doo), the sacred grove, the Smith farm and houses, and the Palmyra temple.  Although we didn't get the chance to do a session there, I learned that the Celestial Room in the temple has a window that looks to the outside.  You can look out and see the sacred grove.  Isn't that awesome?  Well I like it.  What a beautiful place Palmyra was, and it was so fun to get to see those sights.

Wednesday brought a trip to Cooperstown, NY and the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Zack has been longing to go, and I think he really enjoyed it.  There was a Philly Phanatic outfit there so you can get a look at it- coolest mascot ever.

Thursday we took it easy by staying in Auburn itself.  Sound boring?  Nope.  Willam Seward, secretary of state under President Lincoln, lived in Auburn.  He was an awesome guy.  So we went and saw his house. 

It was fabulous. His family and posterity recognized that he was an important figure in his time and in history, so they preserved his house and his things very well.  Most of the items in the house actually belonged to him or his posterity.  It wasn't filled with period pieces and recreations, as so many historical sights are.  Harriet Tubman also lived in Auburn, but we didn't go see her house.

Friday may have been the busiest of all.  We got up and started the long drive back to Philly. On the way home, we stopped to explore Valley Forge, just 20 or so miles north of Philadelphia.

Also awesome, but we didn't get too much time there as we had to hurry home to see a Phillies game. 

It actually wasn't a very good game.  The LA Angels of Aneheim (what a stupid name) won 7-1. On a happy note, I did get to see the incredibly good-looking Chase Utley. 

Unfortunately, he's been playing like crap.  In fact, he was benched for the game tonight.  But he played yesterday, and he is so cute.  He could use a haircut, but when his hat is on, boy oh boy.

Here I am at the end of my week off, longing for a vacation from my vacation.  It was so fun, but I am tired.

Thanks to Zack's parents for making our trip possible.  Sorry to those that I ignored this week, sometimes inadvertently, due to the cell phone confusion... which reminds me- my phone number is back to the usual one so go ahead and catch me there.

Toodles.