Top Ten Throwbacks #5

You know how much Ryan and I adore our little vacations (and our big ones too, but there are many more little ones than big ones). Did you know that I didn't even go on my first real grown-up vacation until 2009? It's true! Ten years ago at this time, I hadn't taken a vacation apart from tagging along with my parents.

Why? Well, mostly I couldn't afford it. (I simply can't express to you without actual numbers how small my income was at the start of my working life!) Add to that the lack of a travel companion and you have all the reasons why I didn't travel!

But in 2009, I saved my pennies and headed out on a trip with my friend Amber! She and I were both single and poor, so this seemed like the best way to have fun while working within our limitations. We had the best time. We went to Hershey, Pennsylvania and loved every minute of it.

(I would actually love to go back with Ryan. I think he'd adore it. Bonus? One of my high school classmates works in the upper ranks for Hershey. I bet she could tell us everything we need to know for the best Hershey trip ever!)

Since this was a pre-Ryan trip, it's not featured in the "Our Travels and Tours" tab on the blogaroo, so I thought I'd share it with you here! You might need a virtual vacation to get you into your weekend, right?

* Where in the world was Bekah? - Let the record show (as this post records) this was a pre-GPS kind of trip. MapQuest all the way, baby! Remember following actual maps and looking at exit numbers to get you to your destination?

* Headed to Hershey - And according to this post, when I came home, I printed 262 pictures. Oh my, how times have changed in the last nine years! (No more developing pictures, and also, now 262 would be my picture tally from day ONE!)

* Our hotel - Apparently my first experience making my own waffles on a continental breakfast bar. Yeah, I'm a pro at that now. In fact, does anyone have a waffle maker handy???

* Macro Settings - Amber and I went to the Hershey Botanical Gardens (GO, GO, GO if you ever visit there. They are BEAUTIFUL!) and that was the day Amber the artist taught me to use the macro setting on my camera. I became obsessed. (I said I was obsessed, not a pro, so give grace!)

* The Weeping Tree - Apparently back in those days I did a separate post for every little thing I saw. So here's a peek at an enormous weeping tree. I don't know if it's still standing out there, but if it is and you go for a visit, you should definitely go roam around under it. You could build a whole hidden house under there!

* The Children's Garden - I was an overgrown toddler, even then, so of course we went to see the children's section of these gardens. They had a whole area devoted to teaching fractions using brick Hershey bars. Now if my actual teachers had used chocolate to teach me, I might have picked up math a bit better!

* Garden beauty - It was so pretty out there, even though we had an overcast day. (That was the day I learned that your pictures often turn out better if it's NOT so bright.)

* Chocolate Tasting - Amber and I still talk about this part of our trip and how much we loved it. It's like a wine tasting (I mean I assume...I've never done that) but you taste various kinds of liquid/melted chocolate. It's not healthy, but it is both fun and delicious. She and I actually shared one and still left stuffed! If you ever go, DO THIS!!!!

* The Museum - I roll my eyes at myself now because I stated in the post that I was bored with the regular museum exhibits, but I enjoyed the interactive parts. I have a feeling now I would enjoy BOTH. 

* Visiting the Chocolate Lab - Not a dog. An actual lab! I loved this part and would absolutely do it again if we ever go. We learned about how to make chocolate and actually made a few things. (And got to wear a hairnet, so there's that gem...)

* Shopping at Chocolate World - I won't lie. I'd go back for this part TODAY!

* The Bake Shoppe Store - I think if I did go back, I'd do the activities I skipped last time! (I'm sure I skipped them due to lack of funds. Sounds like me.)

* Our Chocolate Lunch - I would do this again too. So. Worth. It. 

* The Chocolate Ride Tour - It had singing cows! What's not to love about that? :) Also...I see I'm wearing blue nail polish. A foreshadowing of my wedding nail polish! (Well, at least on my tootsies. I went nice and traditional on my hands.) 

All in all - a delightful first vacation. Loved it!!!!! If you've never been, I realize these posts aren't my best travel writing, but hopefully they give you enough of a glimpse to know that this is a fun place to go and worth the trip planning! Definitely hope Ryan and I can make it a stop at some point! 

Thanks for traveling on a virtual vacation with me. Now go get yourself some chocolate!