Groundhog Day 2011

 For several years now, I've sworn I was going to take the Heathens to see the Groundhog.  And every year, it just doesn't happen.  This year it finally did!

The night of February 1, 2011, I packed the Heathens into the car around 8 pm and we headed for DuBois (it was the closest hotel I could find!).  At the hotel, we were greeted with crayons and groundhog-themed coloring books for the Heathens.  We arrived there around 10 pm and I let the boys buy a movie to watch on TV since we were having one of our "grand adventures."  After the movie ended and lots of sleeping arrangement changes, we finally crashed around 2 am.

At 4 am the alarm rang!  Normally, waking the Heathens is similar to trying to raise the dead.  For once, they were up and ready quickly!  The first huge hit of the day was the continental breakfast that was included with our room.  We made waffles and had fruit salad.  Then it was back into the car for the half-hour drive to Punxsy.

We were able to find parking at one of the shuttle stops and boarded our shuttle for Gobbler's Knob.  It was still dark.  As we pulled up to Gobbler's Know, the fireworks started!

  



Early arrival at Gobbler's Knob: approximately 6 am.



Because of the predicted snowstorm, there were only a few thousand people there to see the groundhog.  The Heathens and I were able to get very close to the front and had a great view.

And for once, Phil predicted an early spring!  (The link takes a minute to load, but it's great!  And we were there cheering and chanting with the rest of the crazies!)

After the predictions, we stayed to have our picture taken with Phil.  The boys had a great time playing in the snow waiting for our turn at pictures.



Bill Deeley is the President of the Inner Circle



Punxsutawney Phil!

After we had met Phil and had our photo shoot, we headed back into town for food!  We ate breakfast at Punxsy Phil's Cakes and Steaks.  At the restaurant, we finally found some good groundhog hats and we were able to buy some!  After breakfast, the boys wanted to walk around Punxsy and see all of the groundhog statues - so we did! 

Our favorite statue was the coal miner!



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Our groundhog hats!



The Heathens made me promise to take their photo in front of this building.



We visited Phil at his home in the library.

 The Heathens had a fantastic time!  As we were driving home later that afternoon, the Heathens were already discussing about wanting to go again next year and what they wanted to see while they were there.  Overall, it was a very successful day!