Today’s journey was a relatively short mileage traveled but couldn’t be much further apart on a scale of seriousness. We left the hotel after a less than satisfying sampling of their “free” breakfast. It’s free for a reason. No body would really pay for it but it was all we really had time for. Onward and upward.

The first stop of the day was a large grassy area where a memorial has been built to the brave heroes of Flight 93. This was part of the terrorist attacks which occurred on September 11, 2001. As I toured through this beautiful tribute, I went through a wide range of emotions. At times I was angry, sad, and proud. The visitors present this morning were very respectful of others. They talked in hushed tones. That is until 2 bus loads of teenagers showed up bringing the chaos you would expect from 75 young people that were freed of adult oversight. The displays inside the visitor’s center were very moving. It really is something everyone should experience for themself. No pictures are allowed inside the visitor center so there Is nothing visual I can share from there. I thought my son had a terrific comment after he walked through. “Don’t let hate be your driving force.” Those truly are words to live by.

The ranger we talked to informed us that the black walkway that leads from the parking lot to the visitor’s center represents the flight path of the plane. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane was inverted, about 1,000 feet off of the ground when it suddenly dove straight into the ground at over 350 miles per hour. I am not proficient enough to describe this memorial. You really need to go there yourself. Just search for “Flight 93 Memorial” for more information and directions.

Not far from this memorial is the home of a famous rodent who is definitely the worst weather forecaster in the world. He has his own day and it turns out that he only “works” that one day a year – Groundhog Day (part of the slogan is “there is no ‘s’ in groundhog). The newsworthy event takes place on February 2 in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The Groundhog is of course, Punxsutawney Phil.”

Phil lives a life of leisure in an area in the town library.

Unfortunately for visitors, Phil’s abode is protected by very reflective plexiglas panels make photos from the exterior difficult. It is possible to go into the library and try to spot Phil from the small viewing area located there. The entire town is decorated with large replicas of Phil (see one of them in the picture below). There are at least 2 gift shops in town selling groundhog paraphernalia. This pudgy rodent is serios business in Punxsatawney. I just had problems seeing this as serious after the visit to the Flight 93 Memorial. We decided to eat lunch at The Burrow. (good food, great service).

We spent the rest of the afternoon exiting Pennsylvania and ended up in Morgantown, West Virginia. It appears to me that in Pennsylvania not many people actually work. Those that do work are making road repairs. Anyone not working, gets in their cars and drives up and down the streets of their hometown. Traffic is bad.