ROAD TRIP! to Penn State

We had been threatening Ruth for a couple years now - we're gonna drive up and visit you one weekend! And every weekend it just never happened, I had homework, Svetlana had a date, Ruth was coming here, we just never made it. Well now Ruthie's graduating in three weeks, it had to be done!

I have class Saturday mornings so we couldn't leave until Saturday afternoon. Svetlana and I had been informed that the drive to Happy Valley (home of Penn State) was about two and a half hours. Mapquest begged to differ, by about an hour, so I suspect there was some serious speeding going on when Ruth made her estimate. So we slowly crept over the DC line into Maryland (yep, bad traffic on the weekends, too), stopped for some pizza in Hagerstown, and soon were crossing over into Pennsylvania!

This was our route.

We got there a little late and then yours stupidly locked her keys in the car, along with my phone, ID, money, etc. So we had to get it out that night. The locksmith showed up reeking of alcohol, chatting my ear off, and like 45 minutes and $80 later FINALLY got the door open. That's life, I guess, I haven't done it in awhile.

We went out to a college bar/club where I felt a little old, but not THAT old (and honestly, the most I could possibly be is 7 years older than anyone, that's not SO bad), and then walked to a friend of Ruth's apartment to continue hanging out. We girls all chatted for awhile, I offered my couch if anyone wanted to visit DC for free, and then we went out for Denny's!

(At Denny's I got mini burgers which were actually just regular burgers quartered and put on mini buns! I would have been crabby, except they reminded me of White Castle which I might love more than life itself, so it was OK.)

The next morning we had a late brunch and then strolled around campus all afternoon.

Here we are in front of Old Main. You'll note I'm already dressed in Penn State gear.

It's a very pretty campus, and State College is a really cute town, lots of fun little boutiques, restaurants, and pubs.

Svetlana and I hanging all over the Nittany Lion. Ruth said that every student takes a photo next to it when they matriculate, and again on their graduation day.

I intended to get home kind of early so I could really dive into some homework (finals week looms) but naturally I didn't roll in till midnight. It's OK, it'll get done, and it was definitely worth it! I love weekend trips!