Destination 18
Harrisburg, PA
The View
Our last overnight stop, and for only one night, was Harrisburg, PA. I originally intended to drive home directly from Virginia. However, Johnny wisely recalled the difficulty and stress of Sunday travel in the Northeast in the summer (lots of hostile drivers traveling home to the cities from the beach and other weekend destinations), and so he scheduled a final overnight in Harrisburg, about half-way between our Blue Ridge Mountain stay, and the Bronx.
We arrived at our bed and breakfast in late afternoon, went out for a meal and a walk in the immediate neighborhood, and then got a good night's sleep before our final drive home. Harrisburg has a lot to offer, including a renowned state capitol building, museums and proximity to Gettysburg and numerous other historic sites, so we would like to make a trip back at some point.
The Drive Home
My desire to stay off the interstate took us through Easton, PA, where we had lunch in the historic downtown. Right across the town square, with its impressive Soldiers and Sailors Monument, is the Crayola Experience, a great place to visit with children.
It was surprisingly easy to get lost on our way out of Easton, but we eventually found our way through small towns and farms to Interstate 80, the George Washington Bridge, and home.
The Room
Manor on Front. This newly-renovated mansion facing the Susquehanna River sunset (above) was the perfect location for our final night on the road - luxurious, quiet (even though on what seemed to be a busy street), and in the historic and peaceful Uptown neighborhood. The staff was friendly and helpful, and our hot breakfast in the common formal dining room (blueberry french toast for me, quiche for Johnny) was delicious and substantial.
Dinner and a Walk in Harrisburg
We took a walk for dinner at Millworks, within a renovated warehouse, now home to an artist studio/gallery community. The food was great, especially the vanilla bean custard with a shortbread cookie we shared for dessert. Before heading out, we visited the galleries, which were still open on a Sunday evening.
Our post-dinner walk around Uptown led us to the Italian Lake and Park, an enchanting place for a stroll or picnic, past beautiful homes of all styles, and even to the Zembo Shrine Oasis, an Egyptian-inspired structure which is the historic home of the Shriner organization in Harrisburg. (Read more about their unique history and culture here.)
