August 1, 2018 - Elisa Visits The Iron Furnaces, Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Steamtown Historic Site and Tanya's talks vegan desserts and wraps up her visit to Virginia

Elisa's Daily Scoop
Covering Long Island & NYC Boroughs 
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

The Iron Furnaces, Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, & Steamtown Historic Site

GREETINGS FROM SCRANTON! THE ELECTRIC CITY!

Can you believe August is here? My goodness has this summer gone by fast!

Well, here we are, about to enjoy a few more hours of our third Scranton, PA and then back on our way home to New York.

We've had a lovely stay at The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel the past two nights.
In planning our trip to Scranton, I was particularly excited about being a guest at this former railroad station!

Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

the view from a window in the hall outside our room, with the original stained class decorative artches and steel beams from the Lackawanna station (c) travelincousins.com

Gorgeous ceiling of the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

Beautiful Remnants of the Train Station (c) travelincousins.com

And as soon as we drove up on Tuesday afternoon, I knew I had made the right choice.  This place is extremely cool.  Although it is a full-service hotel with all the modern conveniences like wifi, a fitness center and three onsite places to eat, it also maintains a tremendous piece of Lackawanna history as a former railroad station.

About the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel:
The hotel building was originally built as the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Station and office building in 1908.  At the time it was five stories high with a sixth story for offices. 

It was closed in 1970 with the last train leaving the station on January 6th of that same year.

Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 6, 1977, it fell into great disrepair until it was renovated and reopened as a hotel in 1983.

The building retains its original clocks, doors, fountains, stairs, ceilings, walls, and overall appearance.

As a guest, it just has such an ambiance and wonderful feel, and captures the history of the city.

For you fans of The Office...

Steve Carell makes a surprise appearance at 'The Office' wrap party. (Jason Farmer/ Scranton Times & Tribune/ AP Photo)

Actors Phyllis Smith and Ellie Kemper sign autographs outside the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. (Jason Farmer/AP)

The cast stayed at this hotel for the finale in May 2013, and they were greeted by fans big time!!


Moving right along to our second day here in The Electric City, we did more sightseeing, eating and picture taking yesterday!!

First stop was to Scranton's Historic Iron Furnaces.

Our visit first thing this morning to the National Historic site: The Iron Furnaces - what's left of the Scranton ironworks plant (c) travelincousins.com

This historic site captures and represents the early iron industry in the United States. 

The four massive stone blast furnaces are the remnants of a once extensive plant operated by the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company. 

It is both a Historical Landmark as well as being listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The four furnaces is all that remains. (c) travelincousins.com

View from the top of one of the furnaces (c) travelincousins.com

This marker gives a great overview of the Ironmaking industry in Scranton - see below: (c) travelincousins.com

"Scranton was founded as an ironmaking community.  In the late 1830's, the natural resources of the Lackawanna Valley attracted William Henry, Selden Scranton (his brother) George Scranton, Joseph Platt and Joseph H. Scranton (cousin of Selden and George) and their associates.  Nearby they found coal, waterpower, limestone and iron ore - everything needed for making iron.  The Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company built its first blast furnace in 1841, adding four more by 1855; rolling mills and steel mills spread up and down Roaring Brook."

From Atop the Iron Furnace site - view of the brook below. (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

While it was not raining, we were concerned that it might, so we decided to stop by the hotel (only around the corner to the Iron Furnaces) and decided to try Trax Bar & Kitchen located inside the hotel.

​Once again, our food was fantastic!!  

Inside Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel restaurant, Trax Bar & Kitchen (c) travelincousins.com

Kelsey ordered a Waldorf Salad with beets, apples, fennel and dried cranberries and grilled chicken.  Gianna ordered the chicken salad wrap.  Homemade potato chips came on the side and I decided to eat a bit of everything the girls ordered!

I was pretty full, but Gianna had a chocolate craving and ordered the chocolate lava cake.  Kelsey ate her vanilla ice cream as Gianna does not eat dairy anymore.  

Waldorf Salad (c) travelincousins.com

Chicken Salad wrap (c) travelincousins.com

Chocolate Lava Cake (c) travelincousins.com

A quick stop at the room and we were off again, roaming Scranton.  Second on our list for the day was Steamtown National Historic Site

(c) travelincousins.com

Once again, you guys know how much I LOVE museums, so I loved this place and tried to hurry through, reading all about the railroads, the history of the industry and snapping away at these old steam train beauties!

This historic site is very well laid out and easy to navigate.  It runs in a semi circle and set up in such manner that it is no overwhelming. 

Loved seeing the old pictures of the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel from back in the day that were part of the display!!

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

History of the Lackawanna Station - now the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

On the other side of the parking lot is The Trolley Museum, which was a great deal of fun!  
​

(c) travelincousins.com

Inside are numerous trolley cars, which we boarded, as well as a lovely film about the history of Scranton's transportation from walking to horse drawn carriage, and eventually to trolley car.
​
During the 1800's horse drawn carriages were the main method of transportation.  This was true in Scranton as well, however, the terrain in this city was not idea for horses. The invention of the electric trolley car was ideal for Scranton and its use exploded throughout the United States as well as what would be called The Electric City.

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

From 1890 till World War I, trolley cars took over in cities across America.  By the 1890's Scranton was a thriving metropolis, with over 90 miles of trolley car tracks, 170 trolley cars, transporting over 16 million people annually!

With the increased popularity and affordability of the automobile, ownership increased and by World War I, it was becoming very difficult for trolley cars to compete.  Trolley car companies would come up with gimmicks and entertainment events to increase usage on weekends, when the demand was lower than the mid-week commute.

But, by 1954, the demand was too low that Scranton's trolley cars stopped running.

I truly enjoyed this part of Steamtown!!

(c) travelincousins.com

Kelsey making her way on one of the trolley cars (c) travelincousins.com

inside one of the cable cars (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com (can you see two young girls hidden?)

Kiddie Trolley Car (c) travelincousins.com

The Museum is also now home to the John Oliver Train, featured on his HBO television show, Last Week Tonight. 

John Oliver Train - featured on his HBO Show Last Week Tonight (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

We bopped around the city - taking pictures and then, since we were all fairly full - we just grabbed a quick snack at the pub in the hotel.

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

Electric City sign (c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

(c) travelincousins.com

Today, we will be saying goodbye to The Electric City and heading home!

If you are near Scranton this weekend, they will be celebrating the Scranton Jazz Festival!  Didn't realize the event was happening when I booked the trip, or I would have made sure I was here over the weekend!

Have a great day!
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop 
Covering the West Coast & the World
​CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Wrapping up our visit to Virginia

Good day everyone! Today is the last of my greetings from this fun and family filled Virginia trip. 

Later tonight we'll be making our way up to D.C. and then hopping aboard a plane to LAX via a layover in the good ol' windy city of Chicago.

Dave B. better known as Birdwald Ponypants will be making the drive up to LA to pick us up and take us home to the loving albeit sleepy arms of our little fambam. 

I've got word on a couple of occasions as to how much my dear sweet Chaplin misses her big cousin Cosette. That little one cannot wait to give this girly a BIG HUG!!

Chaplin (c)travelincousins.com

Before we head out we are gonna make a stop that I'm quite excited about and that I have been waiting for. We are going to My Vegan Sweet Tooth.

Have you know that we've gone to My Vegan Sweet Tooth during one of our past visits. But little did I know about their award winning cannolis!!!

Credit: Peta.org

Found on PETA’s list of the Top 10 Vegan Sweet Treats. They went though the tough job of analyzing vegan desserts nationwide and these cannolis made the list.

These Delicious, Award-Winning Vegan Desserts Take the Cake

I've indulged my own sweet tooth more than a number of times and have my own list of favorites and best of worldwide, which I'll be sharing with y'all soon, as we are working on the home page and a landing page for all of my vegan recommendations that I look forward to sharing with you.

But in the meantime I have made my way tasting some of these goodies around the country and I have to agree with Peta - they are OMG good!

Peta has named the Best Vegan Sweet Treat being Sublime Restaurant & Bar’s Chocolate Nirvana: chocolate cake with Kahlúa butter crème and dark chocolate ganache. Just thinking about this cake is making me drool and want to plan a trip back to Fort Lauderdale. 
*Too bad Fort Lauderdale isn't close enough to Orlando - which I will be passing through next week.

Vegan Treats Bakery’s (Bethlehem, PA) Peanut Butter Bomb made Peta's list. Which I can attest to as being super decadent and super delish!!

Passion Flour Patisserie and Café (Salt Lake City, UT) also made the top 10, thanks to its Croissant aux Amandes, a croissant dipped in almond syrup, filled with almond cream, topped with candied almonds, and baked again to perfection. Yup this one is sooooo damn good!!!

Cinnaholic also made the list and you know how I feel about these custom made cinnamon rolls...

Cinnaholic - Award Winning Cinnamon Rolls!!!

Another one that made Peta's list is Sweet Ritual’s Banana Split Split sundae. While I've visited the Austin, TX vegan ice cream shop and know that the ice cream is darn good, I guess I need to go back and try the Banana Split!

I better eat this ice cream before it melts (c)travelincousins.com

Back to Eden Bakery in Portland, Oregon, also made their list of sweet treats for its Coconut Cream Pie, a chocolate cream pie topped with a coconut whipped cream. Been there had that (amongst other things) and I continue to go back multiple times during each and every visit. I guess that tells you how much I like the place!

Strong Hearts Cafe in Albany, NY and its 42 milkshakes is also on the list and I'm sure you can guess that we've been there too!!

And the last one on their list that I've tried is Little Pine in Los Angeles. The S’mores Ganache is what is suggested. I have been to Little Pine - only once. I didn't happen to have that dessert - maybe I should go back.

So pretty much the only one I haven't been to one their list is Avalon International Breads—a Detroit bakery— taking home an award, thanks to its Vegan Cass Avenue Carrot Cake. I'll be sure to get over there if I'm ever in Detroit again.

Now finally back to what I was saying...
The kids and I had actually went to My Vegan Sweet Tooth on Saturday (4 days ago), we found out that the cannolis are only made on Wednesdays. So obviously since we are here on a Wednesday we have to go!

As far as yesterday went, it was another day of local fun. The kids and I went to pick up their cousin Kali and we had run a couple of errands. While out and about I wanted to surprise them with a sweet treat. Wow I think my sweet tooth has taken over today's blog!!

Anyhow, I took them to try the Sugar Shack Donuts which were sooooo good I wish we got more.

Happy to get donuts (c)travelincousins.com

Donuts (c)travelincousins.com

Silly kids (c)travelincousins.com

We came back to the house to hang for a bit and then off we went to the bowling alley to meet up with Cosette's friend Abby, her mom, and brother.

It was a family affair as we all bowled away.

Some of the bowlers (c)travelincousins.com

Some more of the bowlers (c)travelincousins.com

Group shot (c)travelincousins.com

Dominic bowling (c)travelincousins.com

Cosette bowling (c)travelincousins.com

Dinner plans turned out to be a huge mess with everything falling through. Being such we're not gonna get to see Lynn or her family once again before our visit ends. Jack and Bea decided that they were tired (although they weren't bowling) and they wanted to go home. Kali needed to do some summer homework and then it was just us four.

Dave had been pushing for a movie ever since he arrived and there was one playing that was gonna start soon, so there really was no time for dinner. 

We stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items to nosh on and headed to the theatre to see Ant-man and The Wasp.

As we drove over, we caught a catchy tune on the radio which is pretty much my theme song!

I'm not much for videos, but I encourage you to listen to the song:

Or at least read the Vacation by Dirty Heads lyrics:

A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day 'cause I love my occupation
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
If you don't like your life, then you should go and change it
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day 'cause I love my occupation
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day-ay
Everybody sour like a lemon tree
I'm just smiling down upon my enemies
Do this shit, I love it on the daily
You say you hate your job, but you'll never leave, never leave
But that ain't gonna be me, that ain't gonna be me
My brother called me up said he saw me on TV
I said, "it wasn't easy, but right now I'm living breezy"
Build this engine from the ground up
Now my hands they ain't so greasy, feel me?
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day 'cause I love my occupation
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day-ay
Illuminate my future bright
So thankful for everything
Rejuvenate my inner light
As I work hard for all I need
Open arms, embracing life
And all of which you gave me
Hard work, it pays off
I'm happy now, it's paying me
Close my eyes sometimes it feels as if I go away
I love the life I live and enjoy the ride along the way
"I make a living out of living, " yeah, that's what I say
I've got one life to live, and I wouldn't live it no other way
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day 'cause I love my occupation
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day-ay
Van Gogh in my earlobe
I can't hear, I'm here though
I may be a weirdo, but this is my year, yo
My life may be crazy
My lack of the lazy has let me do shit that I love on the daily
Daily, daily
Get to do this shit I love upon the daily
Daily, daily
Everybody go and live your daydreams up
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day 'cause I love my occupation
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
If you don't like your life, then you should go and change it
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day 'cause I love my occupation
A-a-aye, I'm on vacation
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day
Every single day, every, every single day-ay

What a perfect song, right?!

So back to the movie. I liked it so much more than expected and the rest of the Marvel loving gang also enjoyed it. 

I've gotta go pack now and I'll be back at ya tomorrow from sunny SoCal.

-Travelin' Tanya