Hershey, PA
was our destination this morning. We got
to Chocolate Town pretty early, I thought, but it was already starting to get
crowded and it just got worse as the day went on. We opted for the “Chocolate Expert” package
which included a tour that gave you the feel of moving through the Hershey
factory as we rode in little rail cars, a Chocolate Tasting Experience and a
trolley car tour of the town.
The tour was
one of the best I’ve seen, it explained the process of making chocolate from
the cacao pods to the wrapping of the candy bar. And, we got a sample chocolate bar at the end
of the tour.
The
Chocolate Tasting Experience told us how chocolate was discovered and enjoyed
through the ages. Then we learned how to
taste chocolate (no chewing allowed). We
tasted five different varieties and then we got a sample chocolate bar at the
end of the class.
The Trolley
tour through town was really interesting, unfortunately my camera batteries were low so I didn't get any pictures worth posting.
There were a couple of young tour guides that kept the kids entertained
by playing different characters. During
the tour we got three more sample chocolates – as did the kids on the bus. Families with small children are not prepared
for this much chocolate!! When that last
candy bar came around we looked at each other and just stuck it in our pocket,
we were done.
We learned
that Milton Hershey failed in the candy business, I think six times before he
was successful in Hershey, PA. Right
before the great depression Hershey had great success with sugar cane in
Cuba. He spent the money he made off of
the sugar cane to build businesses in Hershey – as a result no one in Hershey
lost their jobs during the depression.
Hershey and his wife couldn’t have children so they started a school for
boys who were orphans to provide them a home, an education and a trade (usually
dairy farming). That school has now
grown to provide a home for 1800 boys and girls in need. The children no longer have to be orphans,
but they didn’t really go into what the requirements were. The children live full time at the school
from K-12. The funding comes from the
Hershey Foundation. This school
intrigues me, I’ll have to find out more.
We did stop
by the gift shop to pick up some chocolate to bring home, but trust me, we
weren’t tempted to get into it tonight.
Since U guys are getting close - Newburg NY is home to Orange County Cycles (U probably knew that) -- a KOA campground is located north of town, its a ride up a 2 lane from town - campground has a small sign at their cut off -- campground is very wooded and has a shuttle into NYC camp roads are paved but U go slow -- we enjoyed it a lot OCC now has a huge new facility with a great display -- there's also a great farmers market type store near OCC you'd enjoy
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