Bill and Barb … where to next?

All of these pictures were taken this week in our friends Tracey & Fran’s gardens. . .

What a beautiful couple.  What a beautiful life.  Thank you for showing us love always prevails.            We love you both!

Today we all went to “Root’s Market” in Manheim.  There was fresh produce at LOW prices as well as a flea market of everything you could imagine!! We did pick up some fresh raspberries, some corn for suppah and … of course Bill had to get some whoopee pies!  It was a perfect day! Had a great visit with Tracey & Fran. Going to be hard to depart tomorrow. Thank you for EVERYTHING!

Tomorrow … Connecticut!

I bet our grandkids have no idea what this is! Hmmmmm…..

See all you CT family and friends soon!!

 

 

A common sight in Amish country is the “phone booth”.  It was permitted beginning in the 1950s, when more Amish were forced to go into businesses and to use phones for emergency purposes and to contact doctors, dentists, veterinarians and food dealers. This community phone building, which often resembles an outhouse, is typically built at the end of a farm lane and shared by several neighboring families. The phone is not in the house and the number is unlisted and is used essentially for necessary outgoing calls, not socializing.

An uncommon sight are Amish cemeteries.  They usually are hidden plots of land amongst the farmland surrounded  by simple white fences.

 

The Amish believe that the person is gone, with God. Visiting their grave would show earthly attachment, and a lack of faith that the deceased is with God. The Amish believe that the person is gone, with God. Visiting their grave would show earthly attachment, and a lack of faith that the deceased is with God; therefore, they do not visit after burial.

Ok, that’s it for more of our Amish knowledge…

 

Tonight Tracey and Fran took us to “Brady’s Pub” in New Holland.  This is a great traditional pub with great food and great prices.  The corn chowder and the wings were awsome!  Chef Mike is a great cook. Enjoyed meeting their friends Al and Chris.  Good time.  Definitely a “revisit” in our future travels to this area!

 Tomorrow… our last day in PA.  Off to Root’s Market!

Our day started with getting new tires for Melo Yelo.  Yay! No more helicopter-sounding noise! Unfortunately this model of the Ford Focus has issues with tire wear and we don’t get more than 20,000 – 30,000 miles on tires.  Towing behind the RV may be impacting as well… although we do get alignments a couple times a year.

This afternoon we went to “Mount Hope Wine Gallery and Rumspringa Brewery” to pick up some Blueberry Honey Mead wine. Sooooooo good!

They had this awsome bottle/candle tree on display there.  Thinking we should pick up one for Dave B. What ya think?

Now, for a lesson for the amish word “rumspringa” … in many communities, Rumspringa is a period when some Amish youth, boys more than girls, experience greater freedom. They are no longer under the control of their parents on weekends and, because they are not baptized, they are not yet under the authority of the church.   This usually occurs at age 16 when some amish experiment with “worldly” activities—buying a car, going to movies, wearing non-Amish clothes, buying a television or cell phone.  Those that purchase cars often have to park them away from their farms.  It’s not unusual to see cars or pickups parked near cornfields. Some rent buildings for parties, or go to bars and nightclubs in nearby towns.

A fling with worldliness reminds Amish youth that they have a choice regarding church membership; however, most of the forces of Amish life funnel them toward church membership. Knowing they have a choice likely strengthens their willingness to obey church standards and, in the long run, the authority of the church itself.

Surprisingly, the higher percentage will choose to return to the church and be baptized leaving their wild times behind.  The minority that remain with English influences are shunned by their families and church and can’t return.

Interesting huh?

Tonight we went to a neighborhood area garage sale that was from 6 – 9 pm in Manheim Township. Strange time, but fun walking around.  Tomorrow is calling for the possibility of more severe storms. Time to hunker down again.

 We walked over to “Kitchen Kettle’ today and listened to “Banjo Jimmy”.  He’s been strumming and entertaining visitors for 35 years.  People come now just to see him, and, as Jimmy puts it, he “babysits all the husbands” who get comfy in the center courtyard while their wives shop.

We also took a ride to Ronks and visited the “Red Caboose Motel”.  This is an old amish motel consisting of old train cabooses as rooms to rent.  They had one from New Haven Railroad (where Bill’s dad worked) and one from Maine Central Railroad (where my dad worked).

They have a small petting zoo there and … Bill even made a new friend!

 

“I spy with my little eye …..”

….. Bill on top of the silo waving hi!

We love just driving on back roads and seeing the amish farms and the unique way the amish men work the fields.

Love finding craft and vintage shops along the way … which is your sign?

A special memory today was meeting the artist “Esther O’Hara”.  She makes original clay art of amish.  It was a pleasure talking with her.

Tomorrow is ….. replace the tires on “Melo Yelo”.  Plus an alignment.        Ugh !! $$ !!

We haven’t been posting much the last couple days as taking it slow and enjoying the simple life of being in amish country.

We did find a “Re-Uzit” Shop. You could find anything and everything imaginable! Debbie … you’d have loved it!

Also went to the “John Wright” company in Wrightsville.  In the past we had always gone there to find cast iron treasures; however, we found that they had closed the building. Disappointing.

Went to a favorite place to get a warm soft pretzel (with honey mustard).  They have a craft store as well as a few farm animals.

Of course … what’s a trip to PA without visiting “Shady Maples Smorgasboard”!  This is the largest and most rewarding buffet you could ever find.  Bill claimed the whip cream button stuck on his dessert…. ya, likely story!  Everyone should visit here. “Www.shady-maple.com”.

We have had a couple of afternoon storms here…. nothing too serious.

Meanwhile ….. enjoying my friends!

 

Yesterday was a stay at home… do laundry… watch the storm kinda day.  Fortunately we escaped any damage or severe weather here.

Today started out by Bill having an unscheduled dental appointment for a tooth issue.  We called White Family Dental in New Holland and was able to be seen right away.  Bill was very impressed with them all.  They were friendly, helpful, concerned, understanding and the facilities were very clean.  He really appreciated the attention and ,,, the goody bag given on check out. It even included a coffee cup with hersey kisses inside! What dentist does that?? Love ’em!

From New Holland, we had to head east to Exton.  This was where the closest Bank of America was located … 28 miles away! Strange there aren’t alot of them in PA. Wonder why?  While there, had a nice lunch at “Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches”.

Riding back to Intercourse, we passed by alot of farms, amish, cows, ninny’s and buggies.

… and then we see this

CAMELS!! Eating grass and rolling in the dirt.  Who knew we’d see this in Pennsylvania!  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings ….

 

Yesterday we drove to York in PA to see the street rod cars parade. NSRA East is an annual event in York. Lots of neat cars !!  This was their 43rd year !

A few miles from the Kitchen Kettle is a little Amish run grocery store. It sells some bulk baking items and snacks, spices, grains and sugars. There are canned foods and typical grocery store items.  I like to buy bulk walnuts there and Bill enjoys zag nut candies.

Today was a quiet day for R & R.  My knee is acting up so didn’t want to do a lot of walking.  Tracey mowed the lawn and Bill did some weed spraying while I kept Fran company doing weeding.We did go to an amish yard sale and picked up some barbeque chicken they were also selling for suppah.

We are enjoying this area and our time with Tracey and Fran.  We can sit on their porch and watch the amish pass by in their buggies and bikes.

      

Life is simple.. life is good.

Yesterday was our travel day. We left VA and are now in Intercourse, PA (heart of Amish country).  We are staying with our dear friends Tracey & Fran.

Bill & Tracey grew up in the same neighborhood.  They were reunited for Bill’s 60th birthday and have remained in touch since.

Today we visited “Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum”. It portrays some of the history of the Pennsylvania Germans (or Pennsylvania Dutch).  There are alot of buildings depicting life as it was back in the eighteenth & nineteenth centuries.

After lunch we took a walk to Kitchen Kettle Village.

Kitchen Kettle offers authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Country shopping, homemade food, specialty shops and,,, alot more.

While there, Bill discovered how he came to be …

After suppah, we went to “Lapps Dairy Farm” for an ice cream and ,,, to see …

                     LOVE ‘EM!

Great day, great friends…. life is good!

 

Today we went to visit my 94 year young Aunt Helen in McLean, VA.  It’s an annual event for us and always rewarding.  We met at my cousin Stan’s home which was a double reward. He has the softest, greenest, thickest grass I know. My shoes were off before getting out of the car so I could feel it barefoot!

We stopped at Tysons Corner to the food trucks to pick her up a Maine lobstah roll at the Red Hook Lobstah truck.  Bill and I chose filly sandwiches which were delicious.  She loved the roll!

We were greeted by Stan’s pup “Hope”. Such a sweet girl!

Hope’s friend “Thor” was also there (Sean’s girlfriends pup).

Had a great visit. Stan showed us some old slides of Aunt Helen and Uncle Bob which was a nice surprise.  Uncle Bob played “Josephine” which Stan still has.

He also showed us some pics of his camping trip last weekend which looked like a lot of fun. We vowed to go camping together next visit!

The highway (267) has a railway that runs between 8 lanes of traffic in the center. It is used to commute workers into Washington. Tried to get some pics of it.

 

Back at the RV, we took a walk and found this flower. No idea what it is but unique.  

 

Thanks for being you Aunt Helen. Stay happy, stay healthy, stay young. Love you.