Mini Adventures
Mini Adventures
This is a space for quiet reflection and shared experiences
June 25, 2026
Dear Friend:
Driving into Chocolate Town USA, you could smell the chocolate from the Hershey Chocolate Factory. Yum. The entire town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, smelled like chocolate. Being a chocoholic, just smelling the chocolate everywhere was a treat. We always looked forward to the factory tour and the chocolate candy bar at the end.
Then we would head to Hershey Park. A personal favorite was the Turnpike, where you could drive your own mini sports car. Other favorite rides included the Aero Jet, the twin Ferris wheels, and the classic wooden roller coaster, the Comet. My mother would not allow us to ride the Comet because she was afraid of roller coasters. Back then, you paid for each ride individually.
One summer, we took a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo. I loved seeing animals in person that I had only read about: elephants, monkeys, lions, tigers, and bears. One popular attraction was the Zoo Keys. We would purchase the keys and insert them into audio stations located throughout the zoo. A recording would then tell us interesting facts about the animals. One of my sisters especially loved the monkeys, while I have always loved the cats. My mom's favorite stop was the bird house. Before long, we would be tired from all the walking and fall asleep in the car on the way home to Lancaster.
There were also trips to the Strasburg Rail Road, America's oldest continuously operating railroad. The train ride through the Lancaster County Amish countryside was pulled by a historic steam locomotive. As the train rolled through the countryside, we would look out the windows at the beautiful farms and fields stretching into the distance. There was something peaceful about watching Amish farmers working in their fields while the old steam locomotive carried us through the countryside.
There was something special about those mini adventures. We didn't have to travel across the country or spend a lot of money to create wonderful memories. Sometimes all it took was a day trip, a train ride, a trip to the zoo, or a visit to an amusement park.
Looking back, I realize those little adventures gave us something far more valuable than entertainment. They gave us time together as a family and memories that have lasted a lifetime.
No summer would have been complete without those mini adventures.
What are some of the day trips or mini adventures you remember from your childhood?
I would love to hear your stories.
Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.
Be well,
Emma
Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, a blog dedicated to honest conversations about life in later years. She writes about everyday challenges, meaningful decisions, and the importance of staying connected.