We Are...

Sending our children off to college is difficult yes, BUT, it comes with perks... Visiting our children at college!

Our older daughter, Alyssa, attends Penn State University. The campus is gorgeous. The attending student body kind and helpful and the surrounding city is full of stuff to do.

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Usually, my visits at school with Alyssa are a bit rushed. I typically just spend one night with her and there is always organizing, repairing and shopping to do. I am tired and sweaty by the time we crawl into bed. (I know what you're thinking, how is that different from any other night?)

Well, it's different because  Alyssa is returning to her off campus place of residence, not moving in for the first time. There was still the doing and such that accompanies a parent visit; but, we got it done on the day I arrived! Our second day together was spent being tourists and discovering the area as two, relaxed friends. It was glorious! It was as if a perfect day was given as a treasure.

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 We awoke, leisurely to a clear, blue sky with only puffy clouds and humidity to remind us we were in the East. We  began with good, strong coffee (as ALL good days should) and headed out to the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center just a few miles off campus. Next, onto The Arboretum at Penn State where we saw this guy in the photo and many of his cousins. (Yes, I believe this Monarch Butterfly is a male because he has visible wing spots but we were not formally introduced. Lets just call him, Jeff.)

After playing with Jeff, we went to the Centre County Historical Society to tour the Furnace Mansion and learn about the who, what, where, when and why of Penn State. It was fabulous!

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All that walking and exploring built up our appetites and, since I pushed us a past our lunchtime, a bit cranky,  so on to Alyssa's favorite sushi and ramen restaurant before heading to the mall for some retail therapy. (We wanted to visit the Palmer Museum of Art but it is closed for renovations so that and the winery will have to wait for my next visit.)

All that shopping made us crave ice cream so we went to Meyer Creamery for Cookies and Cream ice cream because you cannot leave Happy Valley without eating ice cream!

We are mother and daughter. We are companions. I am blessed to proudly say , we are friends.

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