Candle Shoppe of the Pocono's

We went to see this candle shop.  It is supposed to also be haunted!  This entrance is just for the "museum" basement section with the main entrance on an upper level around to the right.  They wanted $13 per person to see a laboratory and an "actual monkey cage".  We didn't go.  But we did see the candles.  They advertised a 31' (yes) carved candle that I had to see.  I've seen big candles before but not bigger than 3-4'.

 Dr. William Redwood Fisher built the home for his family in 1897.  The home was built over a cemetery.  He was trying to find a cure for Small Pox and Yellow Fever.  He performed many valuable experiments, using animals for testing, particularly spider monkeys in the very early 1900's.  It is said the" basement is full of restless spirits of monkeys".

 The candles occupied every room of the entire house.  Lots of colors, smells, shapes, styles and sizes that you can imagine.  Every room I kept looking for the carved candle.  Since I didn't see it I was going to ask someone where it was before we left.  Maybe in the haunted basement?  I forgot to ask by the time we left.

 I had to have my picture taken on this giant chair that's located at the front of the candle shop.

Driving by a few days later I found the so-called 30 foot carved candle in the front of main entrance to the Candle Shoppe of the Pocono's.  Can you see it?  Now, also check just to the upper right of the castle picture above.    

Martin Guitar Factory Tour

Martin Guitar, established 1833 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.  This tour was part of a ride I took during this years PA state Harley Owner Group Rally, July 2013.

Entrance to the historical museum inside the main entrance to Martin.

This is the 1 millionth Martin Guitar.  They have a master at pearl inlay who did the work.  It's Amazing!

I was surprised to see that Martin still has many hours of hand work into every Martin guitar made.  About 200 finished guitars are shipped every day.  But there are thousands in various processes at any one time.

We couldn't go down into this part of the factory.  There are 600 employees working here in basically only 1 shift.   Although non-union their turnover is very low due to the super benefits that everyone gets. 

There are 7 layers of spray coating that takes days to complete as there is a huge drying period in between each application.

Who knows who wrote these lyrics and where it is from?
The song:  The Joker by Steve Miller, Steve Miller Band  from the album The Joker released in 1973.  Back when I had an extensive collection of vinyl I owned all of his records.  Bought 'em when they first came out.

Buskill Falls, The "Niagara of Pennsylvania"

Charles E. Peters first opened Bushkill Falls to the public in 1904, with a single path and a swinging bridge over the head of the main falls. Bushkill Falls is still owned by the Peters family.  We paid senior rate of $11.50 each.

You buy your tickets and enter actually a different place.  This building houses a souvenir shop

There are three long walkways to the falls.  Some of which were posted for experienced and fit hikers. 

Cathy is enjoying the view of the falls at the base.

Here is the route we took.  It is rated the easiest.  As you can see there is an extensive system of wooden walkways to get you to the bottom of the falls.

However, what goes down, must climb up.  I think there were 4 million steps (not actually, just seemed like it)

Super green and and a great waterfall to see.

There is a smallish but none the less interesting Native American Museum to see.

We've Arrived in the Pocono's

At the entrance to our Summer camp host position.  Four Seasons Campground in Scotrun Pennsylvania.
On the left is a badminton net, kids jungle-jim, swings, tether ball, pool and shuffle board.  On the right is a big grass field where the baseball field and horse shoes are located.  However, no one can get in if they don't belong as a magnetic key card is required.  It also has a security camera focused on it from the office/store building in the back left so new comers can be let in to get checked in.  No one new can get in after 8pm.

 Our site

 We took a guided tour on the trolley.  And were informed about the Native Americans and the early settlers of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  We crossed the Appalachian trail in two different places.

Lots of trees and waterways.

Can you see the Chief's face with headdress?  The Indian Head Legend:  The Indian Profile Rock on Mt. Tammany 1650 ft. Once upon a time a daring Chief was killed in battle upon this very spot. In commemoration of his bravery, the remainder of his tribe carved this monument in stone. This famous Indian Head is located on Mt. Tammany, New Jersey side of the Delaware River at Delaware Water Gap, Pa.

We stopped at this diner for lunch and really likes the giant utensils up on the wall.

When was the last time you saw a sign for midwives?

This "church" was sold and is now a private residence.  We thought it might be an interesting place to own.

Cool Stroudsburg fire station No 1

Stroudsburg City office building in the distance center

And there also is a World War I memorial in a small park directly in front of it.  There are cannon's and bronze sculptures of army figures as centerpieces.

Had to stop at the local Harley dealership:  Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson

Nice trike called "Wells Cargo"  Everyone wanted a look and picture of it

Too cute!  For the next grandchild perhaps?

The Minor Flaws of Traveling

We are en-route to Pennsylvania and stopped for the night at a rest stop along the freeway

So walking back to the coach I see this.  I wonder how long I've been towing the car with only one wheel strapped down?  I do have safety chains wrapped around the front axels that you can't see.  Same thing happened about a year ago.  That time we were driving through Salt Lake City and people kept driving past pointing back.  I kept wondering what the heck people were trying to tell us.  Then I finally pulled over.  OH!

 Sun rise.  I have no idea why we were up that early.

The fun never stops.  We've also been dragging the rear rock guard.  Half of it had torn through the bolts that connect it to the back.  Here I am fixing that!

 When we saw this sign I felt like driving over and giving Punxsutawney Phil "what for"!  Did you know that Punxsutawney Phil Sowerby is a groundhog resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2 of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog with a festive atmosphere of music and food.

Check that out.  Naw.... it's not the Jersey Shore.  This Jersey Shore is  a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

Trip to Branson, MO from Ft Worth, TX

 View from the freeway.

 Here's an interesting rock formation.  Not sure how they got stacked on the ridge like that.

 Really cool 50's theme restaurant a half block from our campsite.  It's just as fun inside too.  There were signs not to touch or climb on the taxi that's displayed in front.  So I absolutely did not climb into the front seat.  The doors were locked anyway.

 Downtown Branson has a strip of theme buildings.

 Cathy is standing at the base of the rooster's legs.  Guess what this restaurants speciality dish is?

 We ate there so this is a shot of the inside.  Good chicken is served here.  Flavor-full throughout the meat.

 We sent to the dinner show of Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.  This horse was amazing to see.

 And the horse's name is Nico.

Cathy is modeling a cowgirl hat inside of the gift shop there.  The doo-dad on the top part of the hat lights up!

 Branson has an old school five-and-dime store.  You can spend hours and hours inside here.

We went to the National Tiger Sanctuary in Chestnutridge/Saddlebrooke, MO.  That's how you feed a big tiger a single chicken wing.  The chicken is donated by Walmart.  She is using an FDA approved feeding trough.  It looked like a vinyl rain gutter to me.

The black panther climbs the cage for a chicken wing.  We went on the feeding tour.  Love this place.