The plan for my first full day of vacation was to go to Fort Ligonier Days, after a laid back Friday afternoon. After working seven straight nights leading up to my vacation, I needed some time to recover. I went to the gym a few times during the week and a few days I walked outside to meet my exercise goals. Sometimes, you have to take advantage of those opportunities when the timing is right.
We had pizza from Domino’s and later on, enjoyed The Great British Bake Off. The signature actually drove my choice of dessert on Saturday when I ordered from the Sand Hill Berries booth at Fort Ligonier Days. I felt a big difference in my attitude between Friday and Saturday, as I kepy my phone at bay while watching the Penn State game.
I got the bus at Ligonier Valley High School and came into town just after 11. It was an understatement to say the whole town was packed. No one was getting through town on Saturday. That’s why my GPS sent me up PA 259. If I didn’t want to go to the high school, there was another pickup spot at Laurel Valley Golf Course.
The sights, sounds, and smells sucked me on Saturday. As I walked into town, I got to see the parade already in progress, I didn’t miss seeing Hempfield’s band marching down the parade route. I thought to myself that it won’t be long before Annabelle is part of that wonderful event known as Fort Ligonier Days. All the bands sounded good and I enjoyed the Shriners in their little cars. That was up at the Diamond. The smells of the food trucks forced me to make a difficult decision. What do I eat?
I got the Chicken Strips and Fries with a bottled water. It wasn’t too bad of a choice and tasted like Kennywood. However, I knew I could have done better by walking down Main St. to the Pickled Chef’s food truck. I had grilled cheese from them at one of the Greensburg night markets and it was to die for. The line of vendors stretched from Town Hall all the way down to the old Railroad Station. I returned to the Diamond for a slice of cheesecake with raspberries and whipped cream. Where did I get this culinary delight? The Sand Hill Berries booth. It took me to my last Fort Ligonier Days five years ago. That right there was a win win. Planning for this event would have made the day even better.
