On this episode of Aimlessly Wandering, we're excited to be finally taking the car back down to North East Pennsylvania (locally known as NEPA) for the first time since the US Government lifted the Coronavirus Covid-19 land border restrictions.

Prior to the pandemic, it was not uncommon for Adrienne and me to drive down to NEPA frequently, but once the US/Canada land borders closed down, it became challenging to come back to a place that I consider an adopted home. We missed the natural beauty, and all the great memories we have made in NEPA over the years.

So, we were thrilled when the borders reopened and we were able to make the trip again.

On our trip to NEPA, we couldn't resist the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the fictional home of the beloved TV show, The Office. As fans of the show, we had always appreciated visiting Scranton, the real-life town that served as the inspiration for the show's setting.

We explored the Steamtown Mall, which served as the exterior for the Scranton Mall on the show, and the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, which was actually a local office supply store.

We also had the chance to visit some of the other iconic locations from the show, including Cooper’s Sea Food.

After visiting some familiar sites, we took a brief detour to check out the house that Joe Biden once called home in a charming Scranton Neighbourhood.

Our next stop was The Strange and Unusual in Kingston, Pennsylvania. This unique shop is known for its wide selection of unusual and hard-to-find items, and we were excited to see what treasures we might find.

As we walked through the shop, we were amazed by the wide variety of strange items on offer. From taxidermy to vintage curiosities, there was something for everyone. We spent some time browsing the shelves and chatting with the friendly staff, and we even found a few items to take home with us.

The next stop on our trip was a real treat for Adrienne, and that was a floral pink wonderland called Matterns Floral Cafe, located in Kingston, just around the corner from The Strange and Unusual.

As soon as we arrived at Matterns, we were struck by the colorful and Instagram-worthy decor. The cafe was filled with pink flowers and plants, and it was truly a sight to behold. We couldn't wait to sit down and enjoy a drink in this magical setting.

We ordered some drinks and sat down to take in the atmosphere. The cafe was filled with cozy and welcoming energy, and we had a great time chatting and relaxing. It also helped that the drinks were delicious.

Other highlights from our trip to NEPA included getting yet another covid test to cross the border, and riding quads around my in-laws' farm. Not to mention the reason that we came down there - to celebrate Thanksgiving with my American family.

Riding quads around my in-laws' farm was a thrilling and fun experience. We had a great time exploring the trails and taking in the beautiful natural surroundings. It was a great opportunity to relax and have some fun.

Overall, it was nice to be back in NEPA after such a long break due to the pandemic. I was grateful to see my family once again, to celebrate Thanksgiving, and for the opportunity to explore this beautiful and welcoming region.