Daniel 3:89-90
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
All who worship the Lord, bless the God of gods,
sing praise to him and give thanks to him,
for his mercy endures forever.
Michael picked me up at Harrisburg International Airport and we were off. This was Michael’s turn to show me a bit of his past. Our plan was to spend time with Frank, the eldest Mozdy child and his wife, Diana, in Chambersburg, PA, see a Penn State football game in State College, PA, and spend a week with Michael’s parents in Erie, PA. I have been to Erie several times, but this was my first time in the other parts of the state. Pennsylvania is quite a lovely state!
I arrived late on the first day in Chambersburg, I had a quick bite to eat and went to sleep. I slept for quite some time. We had a relaxing morning, and in the afternoon, we went to Gettysburg National Military Park Museum. This was a very nice museum – we watched a brief documentary on the battle of Gettysburg during the civil war, and we viewed the cyclorama depicting the same battle. After the museum, we ate dinner at the Dobbin House Tavern, which also had a mini museum showing the natural springs which converged under the house and the location where self-liberated black Americans hid from people who wanted to make them slaves again. It was a pretty cool place.
The next day, Frank, Michael and I went on a hike on the Appalachian Trail near Frank’s house. The trail was relatively flat with a rocky climb near the end. I enjoyed the hike. After, we went to Green Castle Coffee Roasters to buy coffee beans and to warm up with a coffee. That evening, Michael made one of his signature autumn dishes, vegetable soup in a pumpkin bowl. It was yummy!
After our quick visit, we said goodbye to Frank and Di, but only for a moment. They would meet back up with us in about a few days in Erie to celebrate Thanksgiving. Michael and I were off to Penn State. But before we got too far out of town, I saw my first Amish buggy, and then my second. The first one went by before I could snap a picture, but I was able to get the second one. This country is so amazingly diverse. I don’t get why we have to be such an angry bunch. Our diversity is what makes this country beautiful. The diverse landscapes, the diverse backgrounds, the diverse cultural beliefs are all magnificent to experience. I am so glad I did.
Our day and a helf at Penn State was mostly walking around seeing Michael’s dorm, the creamery, posing with the Lion, and of course, watching a Nitany Lion football game, WE ARE! We stayed at a cute AirBnB just outside town and had a great farm to table dinner at RE Farm Cafe at Windswept Farm. The days were fun and exhausting. I understand why so many generations go to this school. It has an east coast ivy league look with an approachable vibe, and so many national firsts when it comes to education.
After leaving Penn State we headed to Erie to spend time with Michael’s family over the Thanksgiving week. We turned our odometer over to 200,000 miles during this trip! We spent time with Gregg and Heidi, who recently moved back to Erie from Oregon, Jenny, Tony, and Billy, who also live in Erie. Frank and Diana, who came from Chambersburg and their son Joe with his wife, Emily and very adorable son, Link. Michael made a Thanksgiving meal to remember and a few of us partook in some fine wines that traveled with us from the west coast. After Thanksgiving, Michael’s brother Eric, sister-in-law, Rachel, and goddaughter (and niece) Rebecca with her seven-month-old Charlie, came to celebrate with the family. It was loud and fun, like all Mozdy gatherings. Elaine and Frank, Michael’s parents, were super happy when we took up two pews at St, Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Erie to celebrate the first Sunday in Advent. After mass, Michael and I said goodbye to our trusted four-wheel house and were off to our next adventure via plane.
Family… it is great to be a part of this one!