Sue_Serio's Blog

Some days, the planets seem to align perfectly, and when it's over, you marvel at how wonderful it was.

That's how it was for our One Tank Trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.   It began with a gorgeous sunrise:

A trip to Rehoboth and back from Philly is 121 miles and uses only a half-tank of gas, there and back.    When you get there, you'll meet plenty of folks from Baltimore and D.C., since it's just a two-hour drive for them, too.   In fact, Rehoboth has been called the "Nation's Summer Capitol," because so many people flock there from Washington.

We found out during the trip that "Rehoboth" means "room for all."  As you can see in this view from the water's edge,  there's plenty of space on the beach for you:

The boardwalk at Rehoboth is a mile long, and Reader's Digest named it "America's Best."   Here's a view of the hub of the Boardwalk that we weren't able to show you during our broadcast on Good Day.

Thanks to our generous and helpful hosts, including Ed Fornalt from the Royal Treat Breakfast and Ice Cream Parlor on Wilmington Avenue.   When you're there, make sure you ask him about the history of the building.   And try to get a spot on the porch.  It's the best!

We were also happy to welcome Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head  Brewery, a popular spot for fans of fine ale.

Summer is running out, so if your last-minute getaway includes a drive to the First State, check out the Delaware Tourism web site for lots of ideas.

A trip to my hometown will only use up a quarter tank of gas.    Of course, I'm going to tell you that it's worth it. 

Standing on the deck of the USS Constellation, which has been docked at Baltimore's Inner Harbor since before I was born (and that's a long, long time) was a surreal experience for me.

When I was a child, that area of town was no more a tourist attraction than a trip to the dump.   It was a gritty, dirty working harbor, and my mother would tell us to lock our doors whenever we drove by in the car.

While I was in high school, I became aware that Baltimore was in the midst of  an amazing transformation.  The Inner Harbor was cleaned up, paved, and made beautiful.  For a city with an inferiority complex, living in the shadow of D.C., it was stunning  to see how our city changed.   My most amazing memory of that early time was when the Tall Ships came to town in the summer of 1976.   I actually felt proud to be from Baltimore, and that feeling has never gone away.

Take a look at what I'm talking about, in this view of the Harbor from the deck of the Constellation.  

Check out this video: One Tank Trip to Baltimore

We didn't have time during our broadcast to talk about one of the highlights of a trip to Baltimore, a visit to the National Aquarium, so here's more about the place with the cool dolphins:

 Check out this video: One Tank Trip - National Aquarium in Baltimore

The best part of our One Tank Trip for me, of course, was the fact that my whole family got up early and came to see me!   It meant more to me than I can say.

Here is my daughter Nia, along with  nephew Luke, niece Morgan, nephew Jake and   Macy, 5, giving us a tour below the deck of the Constellation, which first sailed in the 1850s.   They were amazed that even I wasn't alive then!    Take this virtual tour and then go visit in person...............

Check out this video: A Tour of the Constellation

If you've already been to Baltimore, please let me know, in the comment section below,  your favorite thing about the city.   Gotta go now.   There's a crab cake waiting with my name on it................................

What a fun time my daughter and I had last week at the Tyler Arboretum in Media!

They have an awesome exhibit of treehouses spread throughout their 650 acres called Totally Terrific Treehouses.   (although I can assure you, we didn't walk that far!) 

Sixteen different artistic interpretations of a celebration of trees, and each one is completely different from the others.   From a giant bird's nest hanging from lofty branches, to a house for hobbits (the photo above is from that one), it was really magical.

I thought Nia would be bored, but instead, she asked to return the next day.  You'll see her in some of these views of just a few of these works of art.    I want you to go and see them for yourself......

Check out this video: Tyler Arboretum Treehouse

Check out this video: Tyler Treehouse

Check out this video: A Treehouse With A View

One thing about spending a summer afternoon in an arboretum:   Plenty of shade!

Make sure you stop by with the kids before Totally Terrific Treehouses go away.

The exhibit runs through September 28th.

As I write this, it's been more than three hours since I descended from the harrowing and exciting experience of riding "Voodoo,"  the newest coaster at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.   As you'll see,  Voodoo  rises at a 90-degree angle, and goes 70 mph!     My knees are still a bit weak, and my head is still a bit dizzy.    I'll never forget the experience, and they tell me it was great TV.   If you're crazy about coasters,  this one's for you:

Check out this video: One Tank Trip - Dorney Park Voodoo

The One Tank Trip to Dorney was just one way to have fun in the Lehigh Valley.   And it only took us a quarter tank of gas to get there from Philly!    Tracey Werner from the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau tells us about The Crayola Factory,  The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail,  and the newest game in town,  Major League Baseball, with the Phillies' AAA team, the Iron Pigs.

 We also had the chance to meet some fun folks from the area's professional women's softball team.   What's that?   You didn't know there was a pro team in the area?  Neither did we, so we are happy to tell you all about the fierce ladies of the Philadelphia Force.

Check out this video: Philadelphia Force

No excuse to be bored with all these wonderful things to do.   Click on the links above for even more ideas and ....have fun!!!!

We had a cool time on a hot, hot day on our One Tank Trip to Camelbeach in the Poconos.

In case you never heard of the place,  it's known as Camelback Mountain most of the year.   For the last decade, they've been cooling people off in the summer with an amazing waterpark.

Check out this video: Camelbeach - One Tank Trip

Here's where we spent the morning on Good Day:  The newest attraction, called Pharoh's Phortress.  They found a way to keep that "Camel" theme going....

Check out this video: One Tank Trip to Camelbeach

Here's one of the coolest things we saw while exploring the park after the show:

It's called the ultimate surfing ride, the FlowRider.   I didn't try it, but I have a feeling that it's not as easy as it looks.   On second thought, it doesn't even look easy!

Check out this video: Flow Rider at Camelbeach

A few more things about Camelbeach, before you take out a second mortgage to gas up the car:

In addition to the 30 waterslides and the FlowRider, there's a Wave Pool, the Adventure Rider, Bumper Boats, Scenic Chairlift Ride, Mini Golf and Rock Climbing.

There are special nights for concerts and something they call "Camel-oke."

Plenty of special Steals and Deals (that means discounts!) can be found on their web site.

Last one in is a rotten camel!

It's Wednesday, July 16, and we're live this morning with the Girl Scouts at  Shelley Ridge Day Camp.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania operates ten day and sleepover camps.   You don't have to be a member of the Girl Scouts to come to camp, but you do have to be a girl.   They have programs for girls grades 1 - 10.

A morning like this brings back so many summertime memories.    We'd like to hear yours.....and find out from you if there are any cool camps out there that still have openings, either day camps or sleepaway camps......

Pass the sunscreen....and the bug spray!

We enjoyed the sultry Saturday afternoon at the WXPN XPoNential Music Festival this past weekend.     

 One of my favorite places, the Camden Children's Garden, hosted the Kids' Corner stage,  with some of the most talented and clever perfomers around.   Our daughter was cranky because of the heat,  but the Phillie Phanatic and the song about  Monkeys in the House made her smile.  

It was wonderful to see my old pal Kathy O'Connell again. She's the award-winning host of Kids Corner.    I love how she has carved such a niche for herself in the radio world.    She never, ever talks down to her young listeners.    She's clever and funny, and  works hard to keep the young ones entertained and challenged every evening.  

And she's been at it for twenty years now!

Listen to the story of how it all began....

Check out this video: Kathy OConnell

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So, if your kids are old enough to understand English, introduce them to  Kids Corner,  Mondays through Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. on WXPN, 88.5 FM.

I promise you.....you'll have as much fun listening (or more) as the short people do.

Happy Anniversary!

On vacation in the land of golf and Calabash seafood buffets last week, I found an unexpected treat:  a genuine, good  Philadelphia cheesesteak....in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Philly House, on Kings Highway at 2nd Street,  was founded by a guy who left Philly after a divorce in the mid 90s to get a fresh start in a new town and raise his triplets.... yes, triplets...on his own.  Nick Papagiannis worked hard, and it paid off.   He moved to a larger location on the "Grand Strand,"  and is putting his son and daughters through college.

But he told me his heart remains in the City of .....well, you know the rest:

And now, the taste test: 

Check out this video: Sue finds Philly in Myrtle Beach

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All through the years, Nick  made sure to get his rolls straight from Philly.....there's always an Amoroso's truck going to or from his place.   Nick and his family are really nice people, and it's so sweet to hear him say he's done it all for his kids.    He promised to visit next time he's in town.    

Meanwhile, the rest of my family's taste of  Philly was to their own tastes.  Check out Billy V's incognito look:

Check out this video: Sue Serios family in Myrtle Beach

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This is the blog I posted last year for Father's Day.    It is still true today, and ever will be.   

This is for those of us who will be fatherless on  Father's Day.  

I knew when my father passed away suddenly on April 29, 1994, that it would take a while to get over the shock.   I also knew that the void in my life would never, ever be filled.   Both of the above came to pass.

But there is a legacy:

People say I'm funny.   That's because of Daddy.

I struggle every day with my weight and self-esteem.   Those are his genes.

Joe Serio's love for his family was fierce.   It still is for his four kids.

Daddy didn't deny his Italian temper.  I got some of that, too.

My father was far from perfect, but he was mine.  

His constant questions about every little aspect of my life could be annoying.   Now I miss how much he cared about what happened to me.   I guess that's what I miss most: the security of unconditional love.

 I wish he could have known my daughter...and all of the grandchildren he never lived to meet.    I wish he could have seen me on the billboard.  He would have been proud. 

I wish he was still here to debate about sports with my husband,   to tease me when I make a mistake on the air, and to scold me for letting friendships lapse.

I am sure that my father, wherever his essence is now, is grateful that he won't be getting another tie or pair of socks from me this Sunday.    What I can do, Daddy, is use this forum to thank you for the love and support which I somehow still feel from you.  

All this writing just made me  realize that my first sentence was wrong.    I'll never really be fatherless...on Father's Day...or ever. 

My last posting was about all the gratitude I felt on Mother's Day. All that still stands.

Lately, I find myself particularly bummed out by this situation with gas prices. I know I'm preaching to the choir, if you're reading this and you drive an automobile. It's just so depressing.

I can't even bear to look at the price when I fill up my tank. I've started filling it up when it's half full instead of when it's empty, but now that price is the same as it was to fill the whole thing a few months ago.

When will this end?

I think I know the answer to that. Not in the forseeable future.

I'm starting to change my habits, like so many of us, and cutting back on other things.

It's the feeling of being so powerless that's the most frustrating of all.

Any ideas? Any positivity? Should I try to ride a bike from Delaware County at three in the morning???

Thanks.

After a very busy Mother's Day weekend, with company at our house Friday, Saturday, and Sunday  (which I was sure would make me Miss Cranky Pants today),  I find myself  unexpectedly filled with gratitude.

I'm grateful that my daughter's birthday sleepover ended with a happy Nia,  girlfriends who got along, and my house still standing.   And I got to be 'crafty mom,' when we decorated flip flops at the party.   They have a few pair left at Michael's, I think.

I'm grateful for  family.   We introduced the local relatives to our new doggie Rufus on Saturday night, and it was wonderful for all of us to hang out together and eat what Billy had charred on the grill.   The aunts, uncles, and grannies were very generous to my daughter, too.  

The kid's eleventh birthday was Tuesday, and it's been a festival ever since.   I have to admit that she's spoiled, but so far, not a brat.   In fact, she made me a Mother's Day card and put some of her birthday money in it for me.   Quite the sacrifice for a kid her age.  And again, I'm grateful.  

I'm grateful to my sister Beverly for bringing my mother to my house yesterday.   I really wanted to spend the day with my Mommy (yes, I still call her that) but was too exhausted to drive to Baltimore.     We spent a low-key afternoon together, and it was so nice.

I'm grateful to my husband.  First of all, for making me a mother in the first place, and for the generous mother of pearl (get it?) bracelet he gave me yesterday.  

Finally, I'm grateful to have this forum to express the gratitude for which I am grateful.

Time to take a nap.....

I spent the morning (Tuesday, February 19) with a lovely group of women who live together in retirement and spend time engaging in their favorite hobby.

The best part about this group from Frederick, PA, is that they are doing more than stitching and gossiping.   They are knitting with a purpose:   Blankets, bibs, hats and gloves for those who really need them.  

Inspired?

If you knit or crochet, here are a few links to get you started:

Stitches of Love

Knitting for Charity

The Daily Knitter

Warm Woolies

Get those needles clacking!   I'll pass along more links as I get them.

After my daughter was born, I realized that the time I had always had to sit down and read a good book had evaporated.   I missed reading.   The most I could manage was turning the pages of a magazine while I dried my hair.

Then, one day about a decade ago, I found the Books On Tape section at the library.   Not to be dramatic, but it kind of changed my life.   The first book I chose was Bridget Jones' Diary, by Helen Fielding, narrated by Tracie Bennett.

I found myself actually looking forward to the drive home from work, to hear more of the story.

For that first book, I often laughed out loud.  A traffic jam?  No problem.  Once, when I was listening to The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown, I sat in the car for half an hour after I had arrived home. 

Here's why I love Books on Tape, and a few tips:

-I don't care how old we are, there is still pleasure in having someone read to us.  We've been doing it since she was a baby, and my husband and I still read to our ten-year-old every night.  She still loves it.   And we turn the tables sometimes.   I love hearing her invent different voices for the characters.

-If you're choosing your first audiobook, make sure it's a good story.   Self-help books are fine, but somehow are not as captivating as what is, in print, a real page-turner.   For a real treat, get a mystery novel by Lisa Scottoline.   They're all great, and they're all set in the Philadelphia area.

-Beware of authors who narrate their own books.   Unless it's a biography of a famous actor,  or a title by the amazing Garrison Keillor, chances are the experience will be less than captivating.    A bad narrator can ruin a good audiobook.

-Try to get the unabridged version of the book.  I think it's best to hear the whole story the way the author wrote it, if possible.

My vote for best audiobook ever?    The Harry Potter series, narrated by Jim Dale.  He is an amazing talent.  These books are riveting for everyone, not just children.   The Jim Dale experience can make a long drive to the shore just fly by.   I heard that he does more than 120 different voices over the course of the seven books, and each one is spot on (as they say in Britain).

Even though I used it in the title of this blog, the term Books on Tape is actually becoming obsolete, since CD is now the preferred medium.  Most automobiles don't even have cassette players anymore. 

I've recently discovered that my library is making audiobooks available for download from the internet, and they're free with a library card!   So, now I can put a book on my mp3 player and listen while I'm doing something boring, like cleaning or exercising.

I still have fun listening to music in the car or on the mp3, but there's nothing like a good story to take you outside of your own life for a while.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, and of course, your suggestions for a good audiobook.