Tuesday morning
After packing the car up, I was ready to embark on a long trip. The destination: A beautiful beach town I’d been to before, but not since before social distancing became a household name. I had been looking forward to getting back, and getting away for a few days.
I took the Pennsylvania Turnpike on a nice Fall morning to head to Somerset. There I’d meet my aunt to reach the beautiful beach town I hadn’t seen in years. I got there around 9am, and we left not too long after that. We drove nonstop until we were hungry for lunch. Breezewood and Sideling Hill have acted like that first break on past trips. This time we stopped in Mechanicsburg at the Cracker Barrel. After eating up, it was time to make our way through Philadelphia. We survived the horrendous rush hour traffic and eventually got on to the Atlantic City Expressway. Philadelphia is five times the size of Pittsburgh and the Schuylkill Expressway is just as bad as the Parkway.
When we reached the Garden State Parkway, we knew we were getting close.
We got to the Grand Hotel around 4:30pm. I got a cart for us to put our stuff on. My room wasn’t near my aunt’s and on another floor, but I made it work. Exhausted from the long trip, we took it easy Tuesday night. We ate dinner at Hemingway’s, which is the restaurant located inside the hotel.
Thus, our first full day lay ahead.
Wednesday morning
I woke up at 7am. Looking out the window of my hotel room, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise reflecting off the hotel. I got some pictures later on during the day. While watching the local CBS affiliate, I saw one of the old reporters from KDKA who landed in Philly. He was one of my Mom’s favorites and mine too. During a winter storm just before Thanksgiving in 2024, “Chili” did a live report from the Sheetz in Donegal. At the end he made a snow angel in the parking lot. I still think about that to this day, even as I drive past that Sheetz en route to Somerset or home.
Breakfast took us to Uncle Bill’s. This definitely made up for Tuesday night’s meal. As I walked into the restaurant, I saw a promo for Pumpkin Pancakes. Seeing how popular Gilmore Girls made this dish, I had to try those Pumpkin Pancakes for myself. They did not fail to impress.
After breakfast at Uncle Bill’s, we took a drive to the lighthouse. We drove around Sunset Beach before that, however. In the past, it was one of our traditions to visit there in the evening. I went into the lighthouse and walked the stairs all the way up to the top.
I spent some time at the indoor pool and hot tub, while also checking out the heated outdoor pool. Do you see anyone in Pennsylvania swimming outside in the middle of October?
This summer-like day took me back to that time when I spent Spring Break in Panama City Beach. I even listened to some praise and worship music as I walked along the beach and had my feet in the water. I posted a video of the ocean on one of my Instagram stories and got a few likes and clicks on that as well. That walk changed my whole outlook on the week and steered the trip towards being more of a success. Feeling the sand beneath my toes felt very therapeutic.
My shoes almost went out with the waves as well. As I raised my hands in worship, I probably got some attention. I didn’t care though.
My dinner plans were set as I made my way back to the Grand. We were looking forward to some seafood at Lobster House.
