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This post is about my solo road trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Do you know about the theme park and spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania? I added the trip to Hershey to my bucket list. I woke up early Saturday morning and mapped out my entire solo road trip in three hours.
My first stop was Canton, Ohio. I used 17,500 Marriott Bonvoy points to book at Residence Inn Marriott. When I left Canton, I drove to the Courtyard by Marriott Hershey. I would stay here for two days; one day at Hershey Park and the next at The Spa at the Hershey Hotel. When I checked my Amex membership rewards points, I did not have enough to cover the entire stay. I used 10,000 points plus cash to book the first night. For the second night, I used my e-certificate from Marriott Bonvoy. Finally, I needed to get back home. I would stop in Canton again, but I booked at Hyatt Place for 2,500 World of Hyatt points and cash.
In addition to booking rooms, I had to make reservations for Hersheypark and The Spa at The Hotel Hershey. Each place had a limit on the number of guests. Therefore, I purchased my ticket online for the theme park and reserved my day. Even though I had to call to make an appointment for my services at the spa, I would pay when I arrived. Of course, I had to leave a credit card on file. I did not make a reservation for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Because I gassed up the night before, I had a full tank. I threw some clothes in a suitcase and loaded my cooler with snacks and water. As a School Counselor, it was great seeing colleges and universities my students have applied to as I drove through Indiana. I stayed on the road for six hours and never stopped.
The front desk clerk was professional but not friendly. The room was clean, and I would only be there for one night. In the morning, I grabbed a yogurt, cereal, and milk. My first stop was the gas station. The drive was just over five hours. As soon as I saw the sign for Pennsylvania, I knew taking this solo road trip to Hershey was a good idea. However, when I headed toward the hills, I became nervous. Up next, I saw the sign for Hershey, Pennsylvania. I instantly smelled chocolate. Because I had two separate reservations, I asked the clerk if I could remain in the first room. I did not have to move. Of course, I wiped down the high-touch areas. I grabbed my keys and drove to Hersheypark. Social distancing was hard to maintain in the water park.
As I waited for my spa service, I sipped hot chocolate. Although I love dark chocolate, the muffin was pure chocolate. My first appointment was at 10:15AM. I enjoyed the chocolate sugar exfoliation and chocolate mask for my feet. As I waited for my next service, I used the facility to relax in the steam, aromatherapy, and quiet rooms. I scheduled the Cocoa Massage at 1:00PM. It was relaxing, and the smell of chocolate for 50 minutes was great. If you purchase three 50-minute services, you are allowed access to the pool. I did not schedule a third service. The pool at the Marriott was available to guests. I stopped by Tanger Outlets before going back to the hotel.
My nail technician suggested I try one of the breweries in the area. I discovered a brewery near the Marriott. If I had felt adventurous, I could have walked. Sometimes the décor in a brewery can be hit or miss. As soon as I walked into this brewery, I knew this place would be a hit. My server was energetic and ready to be of service. When I asked for recommendations, she was happy to offer her honest opinion. I ordered Brussels sprouts, fish and chips, and a chocolate martini. The portions were huge, the food tasty, and I enjoyed the ambiance. For dessert, I ordered a pretzel. Of course, it was huge.
Before I drove back to the hotel, I filled my gas tank. I spent the rest of the night watching the Chi. Because I wanted to be in Ohio by at least 2:00PM, I got up early and hit the road. I checked into Hyatt Place Canton, dropped off my suitcase, and drove to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I learned a lot about the history of the game. Expect to spend at least 90 minutes reading, watching videos, and sitting in some of the special exhibits. After a quick stop at T.J.Maxx and Home Goods, I walked to a local brewery in the same strip mall.
This place was huge. There was plenty of room for indoor and outdoor dining. I chose to dine indoors. My server handed me a card with QR codes to access the menus. This time, I started my meal with a chocolate beer. My server recommended the cheesesteak and fresh-cut fries. It was more than enough food. After dinner, I headed back to Hyatt Place for the night. I checked out, grabbed my breakfast, and hit the road. After running into long lines on the tollway, I exited near Hammond, Indiana, and took the scenic route home.
I made it home safely, and I enjoyed my solo road trip. It was relaxing, and I had enough reward points to cover the hotel costs. I also felt good about contributing to the domestic economy during the pandemic. There was a mask requirement at every place I visited, and hand sanitizer was readily available. Two days after returning home, I noticed a crack in my windshield. There were a lot of trucks on the highway. It has been 14 days, and no signs of coronavirus symptoms. 33% of the respondents who took my one-question survey on FB indicated they would take a road trip. I hope this post will inspire you to grab your keys and make it happen. Visit my website if you are inspired.
Safe Travels
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