A Weekend in Hershey

In July, we spent a glorious weekend visiting the Jurgensmeiers in Hershey, PA. Linsy and Darin had a weekend full of fun planned. We started off hiking up Mt. Gretna on Saturday. 

At the top is a lookout tower, which Spencer and Emma climbed independently. Fireman John needed a bit of assistance but gave the ladder a go every now and again.

The view from the top was definitely worth the climb, and Linsy had a water bottle for each of our pint-sized hikers to keep them hydrated and entertained. Nevermind that Spencer is sucking on his in the picture below. 

After the hike, we stopped in "The Jigger Shop," an ice cream parlor straight off a movie set, located in the midst of a plethora of darling homes and summer cabins. It made me think of Lake Almanor; my mom would LOVE it.

Here we are indulging in the good stuff.

Right by the Jigger Shop was a fairy garden. There are all sorts of little tea sets, coins, jewels, beads, and knickknacks to explore. Quite enchanting.

While some of us took a post-hike nap, others took advantage of Darin's ingenuity, the product of which was a GIANT slip 'n slide down the backyard hill. It was the longest of its kind I've ever seen.

That evening, Linsy and Darin presented each child with a personalized shirt so we could go on a Hershey Scavenger Hunt. 

Here's a close-up of John's shirt. 

We counted wrapped and unwrapped Hershey Kiss light posts in downtown Hershey and listened closely during the Chocolate World ride to answer all the questions in the scavenger hunt. 

To top it all off, Linsy and Darin had arranged for a babysitter to take care of our combined brood so we could all go out to dinner and take a walking tour of Hershey in the evening light. We paused to take a picture by this idyllic lamppost, which was relocated due to some road repairs. 

Thank you, Jurgensmeiers, for being such wonderful, CREATIVE hosts. 
We love Hershey!