Much Needed Trip To Erie

 

Hello, my good friends!

I hope you all are blessed, healthy, and doing well!

I am on vacation!  It's a good feeling!  I have been looking forward to this for a bit.  Oddly enough, my sister and I planned for the same vacation week but not on purpose.  

Last week was a little crazy.  Someone in the family, not naming names, decided to throw their back out.  Guess it's just a sign that someone is getting old lol.  At work, it was also the Employee Family Fall Picnic.  It was so nice seeing everyone gathered again for the first time since before Covid.  And guess what?, they also had a Nacho Bar!  Freaking awesome!  And then, while my vacation was supposed to start at 3:30 Friday afternoon, I decided to work an extra 12 hours.  4 hours Friday evening, and then a full daylight shift on Saturday.  The schedulers even tried to get me to work Sunday, and I had to kindly tell them that I was on vacation and would be out of town.

I had been looking forward to this overnight trip for a little bit.  Last month, my Aunt Karen and I talked about how we had been wanting to do something together for quite some time.  We actually started taking about doing something way back in 2019, but didn't get around to it due to that stupid Covid 19. 

Time is short, do the things.  And what a better time to do something than in October when the colors are so beautiful.  After texting with my aunt for a little bit, we decided we would go to Erie.  For me, it's about a 2 hour drive.  For my Aunt, in a semi different direction, it is about a 3 hour drive.  What I love about Erie is that it's far enough to feel like I am getting away, but I am not sitting in a car all day.  

We never finalized a time to meet in Erie, so I texted her that I was heading up Sunday morning, but she didn't need to rush.  Right as I was getting to my favorite bookstore in Erie (Werner Books), I get a message back from her that she was in Erie.  After shopping for a few minutes and finding a couple of books, I headed her way.  She was in a little coffee shop up from the hotel.  We chatted for a bit there, until it was time to check in at the hotel.  Unfortunately, our rooms weren't quite ready, so we just hung out in the lobby talking about serial killers and documentaries (my favorite topics of late).  

After we got our rooms, I quickly changed and we went across the road to Sloppy Duck to grab some dinner.  I love the atmosphere of this place, but my options were limited.  I basically had a couple of appetizers and a veggie wrap to choose from (I chose the wrap).  

My aunt had never really been to Erie before, other than a graduation years back.  We drove to the land lighthouse, which I had also never been to.  It was cool to see, but tours were over for the day and weeds/small trees blocked to view from the lake.  If any officials in Erie are reading this, please cut the overgrowth down so that people can actually see what is probably an amazing view of the lake.

Since it was getting close to 6 pm and I could tell the sunset was going to be pretty, I recommended that we drive to Presque Isle.  I could tell my aunt wasn't overly impressed at first.  As you're driving up Presque Isle, there isn't much of a view of the lake.  There are trees/hills of sand blocking most of the view.  At a certain point, she decides to head back down the road and I think pretty much decides that she may as well get out and see the lake.  And then BAM...... She sees the view as we get out of the car and get a view.  The sun was just starting to set and get in the golden hour.  As we start to see the water, the wind slams us in the face.  It was weird.  There was pretty much no wind until we walk on to the beach.  This was the windiest I had ever seen it.   The waves were also the biggest that I had seen.  I could feel the san pelting me in the face.  However, the view was beautiful.  And my aunt was in awe.  I was so happy to see her in that moment.  While the whole trip was amazing, this moment made it all worth it.

We both got some nice pics.  I quickly played around with editing some of them, and I look forward to playing with more pictures to pull out the color.  

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was a little after 7 and I think we both were ready just to settle in to rooms at that point.  It was an especially long day for my aunt, I believe she worked her night turn shift the night before.

The next morning, we were both excited to try to chocolate place we saw the day before.  Oh my yummy goodness.  Romolo Chocolates smelled amazing the moment we walked in the door.  Everything looked amazing.  After a semi quick walk around the place, I decided to get a few things.  I had to stop looking, I kept seeing tasty treats that sounded wonderful.  (I'll be trying to melt-a-ways next time).  I left with some peanut butter cups, caramel chocolates, and some chocolate sponge (didn't know what it was, but I guess their's is really good).

On our way back, we met up the Grove City Outlets, and we both got a few things.  A lot of the stores had some good sales, and you know I love my Under Armor gear.  And this is where we parted ways.  

I can't tell you guys how much this trip made my heart smile.  Seeing my aunt so happy was amazing.  While this trip was way too short, I think we both are looking forward to the next one.  And who knows, maybe Mommy Pants will also be coming along.