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The Big Mac Museum

For sandwich enthusiasts and fans of McDonald’s, the Big Mac Museum is a must see. Other mainstays of American culture such as baseball and rock and roll have their own museums, so why not the legendary sandwich that has become so iconic over the decades?

Believe it or not, the Big Mac was not always part of the McDonald’s menu. In fact, it was introduced in 1967 by franchise operator Jim Delligatti at his Uniontown, Pennsylvania location, and this was only after two years of development. To honor the occasion of the Big Mac’s 40th birthday, Mr. Delligatti opened the Big Mac Museum in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania (less than an hour from Hidden Valley) in August of 2007. Quite unlike other boring institutions, this museum is also a fully functioning McDonald’s restaurant and Play Place.

In addition to collections of McDonald’s memorabilia from the last half century, visitors will find multiple flat-screen television sets playing McDonald’s commercials that have aired over the years. The centerpiece of the restaurant, however, would be the museum’s 14 foot tall Big Mac replica, which comes complete with two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions, all on a sesame seed bun. Also of interest is an exhibit on the various types of packaging used by McDonald’s over the years, ranging from paper wrappers, to the styrofoam cartons of the 1980s and 1990s, and the current environmentally friendly containers. The museum has a number of other exhibits that are sure to intrigue and delight fast food enthusiasts.

The Big Mac Museum is located at 9051 Route 30 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. It is open from 4:30am to Midnight on weekdays, 4:30am to 1:00am on Saturdays, and 5:00am to 11:00pm on Sundays. Visitors should bring their appetites.

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Furnishing Your Vacation Home

There are many local stores that cater to the mountain home look. Lots of wood and animal heads, some are really nice and others are out of control. When you’re furnishing your Hidden Valley Resort vacation rental, it’s usually most effective to pay extra for durability and quality. Tough furniture will withstand the rigors of rentals far longer than low-cost alternatives. Carpeting should be carefully selected for ‘heavy use’ and pre-treated for stain resistance.

The higher cost of durability is usually recovered in labor saved chasing down replacements, longer product life, and in quality-related goodwill and return bookings of your rental clients. Yards sales can also lead to some great furnishing finds. Remember that your home will have to stand up to people of all size. Also think about how many beds you can fit in. The more beds the better in my experience.

Also consider buying the old furnishing from the past owner. We got our home totally furnished for $2000 extra on the sale price. Now we did replace a lot of it but much is still in use. Having the place furnished from the start also allows you to rent your unit out from day one.

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Rental Agreements

To protect both you and your renters, owners should use a , straightforward rental agreement that is ultimately signed by both owner and renter. Every owner should have at least 3 rental agreements. One, for short term renters, people staying only a night or two. One, for long term renters such as families renting for a week or longer. And another for seasonal rentals. Which would include anyone renting for longer that a two months. Include this info:

• 1. Agreed upon dates, including arrival and departure times.
• 2. Never surprise your renters with hidden charges! Total price, showing your rate plus any additional items such as cleaning fees, taxes, non-refundable deposits, fees
  for additional persons, etc.
• 3. Fully describe your cancellation policy.
• 4. Specify reservation and security deposits.
• 5. List extra policies for children, pets, smoking, etc.
• 6. Let the potential renter know if maintenance workers may come in for routine tasks while they occupy the property.

Remember to charge your seasonal tenant for utilities. I find the best way to handle utilities during a seasonal rental is to have the renter’s put as many of them in their name possible. Also don’t overlook the cost of firewood. Supplying the renter with the local firewood delivery companies number is also a great way to go. But make sure your renter know what you will be supplying and what they need to take care of.

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Idlewild Amusement Park

If you are visiting Hidden Valley this summer make sure you make a trip to Idlewild park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.From the PA Turnpike (I-76), take state route 711 north to route 30. Turn left onto route 30 west and the park is about 3 miles ahead on the left. The park is geared somewhat more for children but has quite a few rides for teens and adults. The park is owned and operated by Kennywood amusement. Idlewild Park, third oldest amusement park in the United States. Idlewild Park came into existence when William Darlington, owner of the property, gave “the right and privilege to occupy his land for picnic purposes or pleasure grounds” to Judge Thomas Mellon, owner of the Ligonier Valley Railroad. The date was May 1, 1878. The park is mainly for families but there is something for everyone to enjoy. Mister Rogers’s neighborhood is Idlewild’s signature attraction.

Idlewild & SoakZone is the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and third oldest in America. In addition, it’s rated the second best kids park in the world by Amusement Today magazine and one of the top five family amusement parks in the world by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.