From West Point we made it to a Walmart in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This Walmart is on a bluff overlooking the valley and Scranton. Most campgrounds don't have a view like this. We came to Scranton because it is on our way. However, we found an attraction that will surprise everyone. Scranton happens to be a coal mining town. (or was!) The mine here is the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Production here ended in 1966. Coal mined here was anthracite coal, which is harder and cleaner burning than bituminous coal usually found in the western US. The tour was really cool; both interesting and cool, temperature a constant 53 degrees in the mine. The 'car' that took us into the mine was 'lowered' by a cable on a reel in the 'Hoist House'. This is a 'selfie' illustrating the latest in fashion headwear. Into the mine, 250 feet below the surface. Descending. Mine scenes. Notice the wooden posts that appear to be supporting the 'ceiling'. They are not there for support. They are an early warning for a ceiling collapse. If the ceiling begins to sag, the posts will crack audibly and this will signal everyone to go to the exit - or 'flee for your life'. (Click to enlarge) Here is an electric 'mule' that pulled the mine cars, and a personnel car to carry the miners in and out of the mine. Before electric mules, actual live mules were used in the mines to move the cars around. Mules were considered more valuable that people, because people were more easily replaced. When a mule was brought into the mine, he lived his life in the mine and never came out. The handlers were boys around 12 years old. A note about mine 'careers'. This was a mining town, and much like our Sugar Land, Texas, everyone worked for the company (or mine). Boys as young as 7 years old could do some work for the mine, usually starting out above ground. Below is a position a lad as young as 7 could do in the mine. His job is to open and close an 'air-lock' door to allow coal cars to go through. He was called a 'nipper'. About 9 hours down there, all alone. There is a superintendents office down in the mine. This is an area where the coal vein is around 3 feet high. Miners in here were called 'monkeys' because they had to work on their hands and knees (with knee pads). The only light in the mine was from the lights on the helmets, which, in the early days was about the amount of two birthday candles. In the photo below, the two lights on the left are miner's lights. A mine car not fully loaded. The coal needed to be piled in the car to the height of a persons forearm above the rim of the car, or the person responsible would be docked 3 days pay. More than once, he would be fired. This tour really illustrated the conditions under which the miners worked. They were glad to have the work to provide a meager living for their families. But it was a hard life. More fun tomorrow. Well, tomorrow is here. We moved to a campground in Harrisburg, Pa, and jeeped to the neighboring town of Hershey and you can guess what's there! Hershey's Chocolate World Hershey is another company town having been built up around the Hershey Chocolate Company. In addition to making chocolate here, there is a huge amusement park and 'Chocolate World'. 'World' is a fun place with all sorts of Hershey chocolate items for sale, a food court, a 'virtual chocolate tour', a tasting tour, and 'make your own treat'. We did the virtual tour to see something of how chocolate is processed. We rode in little cars past various mock-ups of the process. It certainly didn't take the place of a real tour, because the recorded narration was overshadowed by obnoxious music and interesting details were missed. The second photo below shows large vats of chocolate (dreamy, isn't it?) The last two photos have to do with making and wrapping kisses. We did not visit the amusement park, but it must have been huge. From the streets around the place we counted at least 6-7 roller coasters. This is the Hershey middle school. What a view! To end our stay in Hershey, we had a burger at a Red Robin burger place. Then back to our campground for a nap and some down time. But more coming.
Stay tuned
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Who are we?Chuck and Mary Lou have been traveling in their RV since 2002 and have lately been taking longer, extended trips. This is our way to share our experiences. Trip Reports
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