The Philadelphia Story - Completed 2/18 About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

More great updates guys (and great pictures Marie)

You're all having such a great time More please

[joyful1nh]

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WE WANT PICTURES!

WE WANT PICTURES!!

WE WANT PICTURES!!!

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Love the trip report, btw! I notice no one has posted pics of the moose yet -- I'm flying out of MHT week after next to FLL & I promise to take moose pics. I'll have my laptop with me, so if all goes well you'll see them posted here around the 26th unless someone else beats me to it.

I must confess that I'm 6' -- so I too missed out on noticing certain parts of the moose's anatomy -- guess I'll have to have my 7 year old take the photo to give us the right perspective!

[elbug10]

Just catching up with this fantastic TR! Sounds like you all had a BLAST together! Loving all the different points of view, and the pics are great, too! Next PP meet let me know; I"m only a train ride away from NY or Boston, and it's probably not much farther to Philly.

Nancy, I know what you mean about feeling weird about getting into a "stranger's" car at the Airport; I did the same thing in November when I met Tara at WDW. It should've been awkward, but we felt like we'd always known each other, and I didn't have any hesitation about getting into a car w/ someone I'd never met (says the girl who's never heard from again! Don't worry, I only do that with Passporters!). Other people don't understand that though, and I'm still hearing "you did WHAT???" from friends...

Philly sounds like lots of fun and a beautiful city. Would love to try a mushroom cheesesteak wit' cheez whiz at Pat's So sorry Tara got "the flu" or, since it was Coronas, Montezuma's Revenge?

Okay, next segment, please!

[BostonTeaParty]

THE ALLENTOWN PASSPORTER MEET!!!

The day of the big meet has finally arrived. (Hard to believe we've been in Philly less than 24 hours.) Marie, who must be the quietest showerer and dresser alive, was already up and out for coffee when Janine and I woke up. We showered and dressed quickly, and by then Marie had returned. She had been out looking for the Sunday paper and couldn't find one anywhere. How strange. We all peeked in on poor Tara, who by this time was feeling better, but was moving slowly. We decided to head downstairs for a quick bite to eat. We would meet up with Tara and Lynn after, and it would give them time to get ready. There was a small cafeteria-style cafe off the lobby, where we got juice and bagels. Marie and I were sporting our Patriots shirts, since it was also Superbowl Sunday! We had been watching CNN earlier, and the coverage of the Philly fans had us a wee bit nervous. We were wearing our jackets over our tees, but Marie decided that she would take whatever anyone dished out to her and took off her jacket. I was more chicken, and only unzipped my jacket. Of course no one even noticed in the hotel, so it wasn't an issue. After breakfast we met up with Tara and Lynn for checkout. Tara's car was brought around and we were off to pick up Joan and her daughter Rachel at the train station. The one thing that stands out in my mind about the train station is the incredible Greek style columns out front. They are massive! Joan and Rachel were waiting for us, and greetings were exchanged all around. We were finally on the road to Allentown! Rachel had an incessant cough, and we decided to stop at a CVS so Joan could get her some cough drops. Tara's original plan was to pick up some pantyhose, as she forgot them and was wearing a skirt. By the time we reached the CVS, Tara had changed her plan. Since she lived nearby, she decided to just stop by the house for a quick change of clothes. Next stop - Tara's house! The most notable thing about Tara's neighborhood is the numerous brick houses. Brick houses are my second favorite style home, after cedar shingle style. It was very pretty to drive past and look at these houses. We all got out at Tara's to stretch our legs. She invited us in, but it was such an unusually beautiful February day, everyone opted to breath in the fresh air and sunshine. We did glimpse Celery the infamous attack cat, as he made a mad dash for the shrubs in front of the house. Muffin also made a brief appearance at the front door when Tara emerged from the house. We all called out a greeting to him. I wonder if it's similar to what celebrities feel, when total strangers call out greetings to them on the street.

So, mission accomplished, we all piled back into the Suburban - onward with our mission! We did make one more stop, and I don't recall if it was before Tara's or after, but we finally made a pit stop at Starbucks. We all got something to drink - I tried their newest offering - Chantico! Chantico
Simply put, this was the most wonderfully rich hot chocolate I've ever had, bar none. When the girls saw what I was getting, they all wanted a taste. The guy behind the counter offered free samples to everyone! Woohoo! And he assured us it was low-fat, and low-carb (wink, wink). Back on the road now, everyone settled in and the gabfest began. Honestly, the drive felt like it went by in 15 minutes. We discussed just about everything under the sun. Some of the topics can't be mentioned here because "what happens in Allentown stays in Allentown." Not really, it's just I can't remember everything - but it sounded good didn't it?

What I do remember is discussing Moose! Marie had a lot to say on that subject, and I remember the infamous "spa massage" discussion. It started out as a discussion about the all girls May trip and spa treatments available at the Grand Floridian. Some of us were in agreement that massages were not our thing, the idea of a stranger touching us was too uncomfortable. Then, I think it was Joan, mentioned that she did enjoy pedicures. Somehow that lead to a discussion of old men's feet, and how even though it was a good thing for them to get their toenails trimmed, the thought of their long, curled, yellow toenails, with all the bacteria underneath was absolutely disgusting! This led to uncontrolled giggling. Then Tara said something like "bacteria is everywhere" (good nurse), but there is bacteria, and then there is old man toenail bacteria. I'll let the others fill you in on their recollections of our conversations on the road to Allentown.

Next Up: GREGORY'S

[loobyoxlip]

Thanks, Nancy

[GoofyMom]

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...but there is bacteria, and then there is old man toenail bacteria.

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You have no idea how badly I needed a laugh like that after the pre-Valentine's rush at work.... Thank you!

Keep it comin' Gals!

[LizardCop]

I'm certainly glad you all avoided that dreadful attack cat!!!!

MORE!!!

[chezp]

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I'm certainly glad you all avoided that dreadful attack cat!!!!

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I was just going to say that... !

[Tara O'Hara]

Ohhh! You guys, Celery is really a nice cat!! !!! Honest!!

[JoanW]

Well, to be honest, we really only saw a glance of Celery, as he was skulking in the bushes, probably hunting down something. Or maybe looking for Mark.

I'm trying to remember all the FFTKT's we talked about (Fun Facts To Know And Tell), such as Yacco's Hot Dogs is owned by Lee Ioccoca's brother and the various rides and coasters at Hershey Park and Dorney Park. And cf course Gross Pedicure stories and hands raised for Who's Had a Massage. We also discussed Famous Passporters and Passporters We Love We discussed Trip Report Writing and Favorite Trip Reports We Have Read.

I have to say that the ride to Allentown was a whole lotta fun. Had it been the summer, we could have easily taken a detour and driven to the shore and sat in sand chairs and equally laughed, ate and gabbed the whole afternoon, got back in the car and drive back to Philly. Like we do this all the time!

And our music for the ride: Off Kilter. Lynn filled us in on All Things Off Kilter. How could I have missed this group when we were there???

[chezp]

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Well, to be honest, we really only saw a glance of Celery, as he was skulking in the bushes, probably hunting down something. Or maybe looking for Mark.

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Probably!

[BostonTeaParty]

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And our music for the ride: Off Kilter. Lynn filled us in on All Things Off Kilter. How could I have missed this group when we were there???

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This is why I'm counting on everyone to chime in with their POV. I totally forgot about the music....and Lynn was playing it for me!! We had been discussing Off Kilter up in the hotel room, and I mentioned that I had never heard them and would very much like to. Lynn told me that she had their CD with her (YESsssss), and would play it for me/us on the drive down to Allentown. It was great stuff! I remember hearing "Amazing Grace" and it brought me back to my father's funeral. We had a bagpiper play it at the cemetary and it was very moving. But, the ride to Allentown was fun! It was like being on the bus ride to summer camp, except the bus was full of Passporters.

[BostonTeaParty]

So we finally reached our destination - Gregory's! A small, unassuming place with a quaint charm to it, Gregory's seemed the perfect spot for a Passporter meet. It was virtually empty inside, maybe a table or two with dining patrons, and an entire room for us! We were seated at a long rectangular table. Seated next to me was Marie, then Tara, Lynn, Janine, Sue, Evie, Crystal, Debbie and her daughter Becca, and last but not least, seated across from me was Joan and her daughter Rachel. (Hope I got that right everyone!)

We had a great waitress. Even though she was training a new girl, she took the time to chat with us and she was a lot of fun. She got our orders right and managed to keep water glasses full - there are no complaints on that end. The food however, was another matter; at best it was mediocre. I remember Marie saying they overcooked her meat to the point it was inedible. Maybe I don't have that 100 percent correct. I know that I ordered my steak medium rare, and it was maybe a bit pink in the center - definitely overcooked. It's not like the cook was overburdened - we were practically the only ones in the entire place. Nothing about the food was especially bad, it was just eh. But it really didn't matter because the food was secondary to the company! I made my way down to the other end of the table to make sure I got a chance to chat with Sue and Evie. They are such fun ladies! I had a great chat with them. And Debbie's little daughter Becca was so sweet. She was so well-behaved and seemed to really enjoy herself. Got a chance to chat a bit with Crystal too - she's very . There were so many conversations going on, it would be impossible for me to do justice to it. The one thing that does stand out was our phone call to Tina! Tara decided it was time to play "let's torture another passporter who couldn't make it to the meet." Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to personally talk to Tina , but once again we did a group shout out of "HI TINA!!!!!!" Too funny! The other thing that stands out were the fantastic cookies Lynn brought for everyone. They were chocolate chip Mickeys that she made for everyone. Some were sugar cookies too, I think. They were great. And Debbie and Becca brought the coolest Disney keychains for everyone. We all got to pick which kind we wanted. I chose Tinkerbell and I love it! Thanks Debbie and Becca! All too soon it was time to go. We headed out to the parking lot where amidst hugs and promises to get together again, we bid each other a fond farewell. The Passporter Bus was leaving so we climbed back into the trusty suburban for our final ride of the weekend, back to Philly.

Next Up: UH-OH JANINE'S NOT FEELING WELL.....

[loobyoxlip]

Another great installment, Nancy. But it sounds like it coming to an end Y'know had Jalen not been sick that day and I had stayed home from work I would have missed your phone call! Too bad the food was only OK, but I guess the company more than made up for it!

[chezp]

Such a shame it's coming to an end - and I don't like the sound of the next installment.