61 days in a car?!

I have to admit, I actually enjoyed myself at the America on Wheels Museum. It was pretty cool considering cars aren't that interesting to me. But actually, I found that there was a lot of history of the U.S. preserved in the cars and photos that the museum displayed.

One of the most interesting facts that I learned was that in 1919, before the national interstate highway system was designed and constructed, it took President Dwight Eisenhower 61 days straight to cross the U.S. by car. Now that's a long time to be in a car. At the time, Eisenhower was serving in the Army, but during his presidency, that experience led to his support of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.

So I'll add that fun fact to my repertoire of random information, and maybe I'll consider going back to the museum when its rotating exhibit changes. I was surprised by my interest in the information there, and I would guess that the Valley has many other places that would do the same.

Here's a few photos we took!

 I LOVE photo ops!

 Car colors were so much prettier back then!

Feeling a little bit adventurous for a Thursday

So my boyfriend Shawn and I will be celebrating our sixth anniversary next weekend, on March 3. I've been looking around for something fun and interesting to do that's local and somewhat inexpensive. While I was surfing Discover Lehigh Valley, I found the America on Wheels museum is right in Allentown. While I'm no car buff (Shawn totally is though), I thought it would be an interesting place to visit with Shawn.

Right now in the changing exhibit gallery, the museum has a display titled "100 Years of Chevrolet," which seems fitting since Shawn owns an atomic orange 1977 Corvette. I'll be taking him there today, since it's only 15 minutes from Lehigh's campus and $7 for general admission. Despite my somewhat lack of interest in cars, I do enjoy going to museums and art exhibits, and I'm sure it will be something Shawn will enjoy and appreciate.

It's not hard to find a museum, gallery or exhibit in the Lehigh Valley. The area is overflowing with them in fact. Allentown has the Museum of Indian Culture, The Liberty Bell Shrine, The Mack Trucks Historical Museum, the Allentown Art Museum. In Bethlehem there's Lehigh University's art galleries, the Banana Factory, The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, The National Museum of Industrial History. And Easton has the National Canal Museum, Abbey Hill Art Gallery and The Crayola Factory (Yes, I'm 20, but I went there a few weeks ago with my family, and we had a blast!). And there are so many more that this area has to offer.

There's so much culture and history preserved in art galleries and museums. I've always enjoyed going on tours or just wandering around for myself. It's always so interesting to see what other people are working on or have done, and I love seeing exhibits or displays that are something my mind could have never thought up. That insight into someone else's thought processes is something I find so fascinating.

It's important to take advantage of what these historical places have behind their walls. You can learn so much about the history of the Leigh Valley and the people behind it. And besides the fact that these places are learning experiences, they are also new, exciting and fun things to do! And since they're usually fairly inexpensive, why not get out there and experience them?

Last November I traveled to New York City to see an art exhibit at Bard College that was centered around hats. I'm not really a hat person, but to see some of the ideas designers and artists come up with was so cool. Whether it was using obscure materials to create their designs or the shapes and patterns of a veil or mask, every display case had something new and interesting. There was even some history preserved in the exhibit, which included hats from historical and famous figures (Like one of Andy Warhol's wigs and Babe Ruth's baseball cap). I wasn't expecting to see so much in that tiny exhibit, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Now that I've done a little research, I know the Lehigh Valley has all that to offer its residents too. You don't have to travel to New York or any other major cities to find interesting museums and exhibits to go to. And, chances are the ones you find locally are probably cheaper than paying an admission fare in the city.

Well, I'm off to America on Wheels now. If they let me take photos, I'll post some later tonight!

restaurant week is back!

The only thing better than being served a full course meal is being served a full course meal at a fraction of the cost.

This past Sunday, Jan. 22, marked the beginning of Restaurant Week in Easton. Eleven eateries are offering lunch for $8 and three-course dinners for $30. This weeks offers locals the opportunity to eat great food for a great price, while also helping out the local restaurants. Sette Luna, Mangia Italian Restaurant, Colonial Pizza & Pub, Ocean, Mex Tex Trio, River Grille, The Standard Restaurant, Vintage, Widows Tavern & Grille, Phoenicia Middle Eastern Cuisine and Porters' Pub will be offering tasty food for a lower price through Saturday.

Also, you can enter to win four tickets to "Shrek the Musical" at the State Theatre in Easton while dining at any of the restaurants participating in Easton's Restaurant Week. Maybe not a show you would normally opt to go to, but hey, if you win free tickets, you gotta go!

I'm always looking for the good deals or specials, and when it comes to eating out, Restaurant Week is just about the cheapest way to get quality dishes for less.

So the best part of Restaurant Week is that it is coming to Bethlehem next week, beginning on Sunday, Jan. 29. With varying price points, 32 restaurants will offer breakfast, lunch and/or dinner menus all week long. Some participants are Apollo Grill, Blue Grillhouse and Winebar, Burger's and More by Emeril, Mama Nina’s Foccacheria, The Melting Pot, Starters Riverport and many more. For a full listing of the restaurants, and links to their menus, visit the Downtown Bethlehem Association's Bethlehem Restaurant Week page. An added bonus: when you dine at any participating restaurant, fill out a entry form for their gift card drawing. Five winners will be awarded gift cards for two to every participating restaurant.

Restaurant Week can also be a time to try out new foods or new restaurants. Since the prices are considerably lowered, maybe try a new appetizer or entree, or a whole new eatery altogether (Might I suggest Blue, one of my favorite places to go in the area).

So start planning now because the deals are only here for a short time. And make sure to take advantage of all the food and sweepstakes opportunities.

the age-old college student dilemma

"But I'm a poor college student."

We've all heard that excuse before. And as a full-time college student who is working two jobs, I know that situation all too well. Despite my lack of funds from time to time, I've made it my goal to always find new and exciting things to do that fit my budget. When I'm at Lehigh, my schedule is so jam-packed that it's hard to find time to slow down and relax. Ironically enough though, whenever that time comes around, I'm bored. So why am I ignoring all the possibilities the Lehigh Valley has to offer?

During my summers, when I'm not working, I'm always on the lookout for fun ways to spend my hard-earned cash. Whether it's new activities, local events or places to go, I keep my eyes and ears peeled for anything that might be entertaining, but also inexpensive.

I've never really done this at Lehigh though. Bethlehem, and the greater Lehigh Valley, is a place billowing with things to do. Not all of them are budget-conscious, but many are. And I want to take advantage of that while I'm still here.

I know the Lehigh Valley has more to offer us. So, I'm making it my personal goal to not only find what's going on in the Lehigh Valley, but to make sure college students low on dough have the information to take advantage of all the less-expensive opportunities the Valley has to offer too.

So to get started, here are a few links that always have ideas for fun and affordable ways to fill your free time:

• Downtown Bethlehem Association:From First Fridays to craft shows to town clean-up days, the DBA's calendar is always packed with fun, interesting and exciting ways to not only get involved in the community, but also to have a great time.


• Discover Lehigh Valley: Offering many ways to "play, stay, eat, save and discover," this organization encourages community members to embrace experiences in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.


• Local newspaper sites: The Express Times and The Morning Call both offer their readers interactive community calendars that allows them to browse events by date or by a search bar.