Christmas Past Part One

Christmas is over. A week ago we, all seven of us, were driving to Hershey PA in the big silver rental minivan, Ray at the wheel and braving the rain, Dennis riding shotgun, Devon and I in the second row Captain's chairs(although we did very little captaining, a little first mating, mostly nannying), the three kids bringing up the rear, Rachael asking for "a mint," Ariel passed out from a viral illness, Trevor supervising everyone. On and on, through Frederick, MD, the Pennsylvania countryside, the temperature rising with every mile we traveled north. We had decided to go because the "really bad" rain wasn't supposed to start until 4, and staying home on a rainy day in a townhouse with a slightly sick baby and two children antsy for Santa to come did not appeal to any of us. Besides, Ray had volunteered to drive. After an amazingly short time, time spent eating Grandpa's stock of Wintogreen life savers and Grandma's leftover white cheddar popcorn ("ew, that popcorn STINKS"), and listening to "Enter the Haggis," we arrived at Hershey Park. We were surprised at the number of tourists who had braved the weather two days before Christmas to tour Chocolate land. Like us. First stop was lunch at the food court, then we were off on the bus tour of the town. The bus was designed as an old fashioned trolley and decorated with garland and other seasonal stuff. A peppy tour guide dressed in nineteenth century caroler's garb gave us the low down on the Hershey family and how chocolate came to be King in the PA heartland. Then we all sang carols, led by a recurring player who showed up at the bus door as a factory worker, Mr. Hershey's mom, and even as the Jolly Old Elf himself! Rachael, who was glommed onto her Grandma, refused the offer of REAL jingle bells to play, but was happy to take the tree ornament, kazoo and free candy. The adults had some difficulty remembering the intracacies of kazoo playing (which end to you blow into? you don't blow, you HUM. oh. Ray was good at this :)

Back at the park, we next went into the 3-D movie about, yes, CHOCOLATE, and it was FUN. And even a bit SCARY, with spiders and webs and things thumping over your feet. Rachael and Trevor looked through the glasses only sporadically, but no one cried, a first for us. Then we were out the theatre door and into BUY CANDY land, which we did. I bought green tea kisses which are either delicious or gross, the jury is still out on that one. The bittersweet chocolate with cinnamon is also an acquired taste. The kids loved the peppermint kisses that their mom bought. And the jolly ranchers in little acrylic houses with scoops their Gma bought. Then on to the ride through the factory, with "boats" like Disney World, and singing cows. Rachael, still stuck to me, loved that ride the best, and wanted to go again. Grandpa, who NEVER buys anything, bought the picture snapped at the end of the ride without any prodding . It was a GOOD day.(Actually, it was his idea to rent the minivan, too, but I think he wanted it mainly for the comfort of his dog.)We tried to tour the actual park, outdoors, after Ray bought us all hot coffees and lovely blue ponchos for the rain, but the rules had changed and now they wanted to charge us forty dollars to walk around in the rain. So we politely declined , Ray fetched the Christmasmobile, and after a quick meal at Bob Evans and several false alarms regarding Ari's tummy, Ray gallantly took the wheel again and got us all home safely through the monsoon.