Fort Indiantown Gap, or FIG, has a nice recreation area of its own called Marquette Lake. It offers picnic areas and great fishing. The Fort's flight facility is usually a center of activity and worth a look. The day I was there, Blackhawk, Chinook, and Huey helicopters were all flying and practicing maneuvers around the airstrip.

The Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is between the I-81 FIG exit and the post on Route 934. It is immaculately maintained and equates to an emotionally intense visit, especially if a funeral is being conducted. The Pennsylvania Veteran's Memorial there is also impressive. Visit the cemetery’s website at http://www.cem.va.gov/nchp/indiantowngap.htm.

Other local attractions worth seeing are Hershey's Chocolate World, Penn National Race Track, and Memorial Lake State Park. ${QuickSuggestions} The Commissary and Post Exchange are both small, but the military-clothing store is well stocked. There are no clubs serving food on post, so for a meal, go to Funck's Chicken immediately outside the gate on Route 934. They have excellent food at decent prices. Beware, though, as the chicken dinner includes four pieces of fried chicken and two side dishes—it may require a post-lunch nap.

Stay at the Holiday Inn off I-81's exit 80 (717/469-0661). It has a decent restaurant and a lively country-music line-dancing bar, Winner's Circle Saloon, that’s fun and always packed. ${BestWay} A car is the only practical way to get around in this rural area.

From journal A FIG more than Chocolate