The Amish are not like the Colonials in Williamsburg. They are REAL.
Location: still Macungie
Miles: about 600
Music: sultry Fiona Apple
The view from Speedblazer's throne
After the museum, we walked just across the street to Penn Square to the Farmer's Market. We got lunch, fruit, and a bag of oats for camping breakfasts. Everything was extremely good and extremely cheap. That's exactly what we want for this trip!
Once done with the farmer's market, we realized we had seen pretty much all of Lancaster (it's not exactly big) and headed off to drive through more of Amish country. It was so nice to see all the farms, people in buggies, more farmer's markets, etc. We also were amused by the names of all of the towns: Intercourse, Bird-in-hand, Paradise, Virginville, Maiden's Creek. I don't even know what to say about those towns, except that we took a lot of pictures of things with the town's name on the sign and giggled a lot. I was praying for the town of Intercourse's church to be named "Church of Intercourse" but, alas, we never found it. Oh well. Probably better not to indulge my 12 year-old humor so much.
The drive around Amish country turned into a we-got-lost-in-Amish-country drive, which proved just as fun and beautiful as when we were on the map. We took some pictures of the Amish on their horse and buggy rides, not remembering until we got home that they don't like their picture taken. Hrm. Anyhow, we found our way back home, due to some excellent navigating by Paul and maybe a handful of luck, in time for dinner with Richie and Leslie. We provided dessert: a shoo-fly pie that we had bought at one of the farmer's markets. The main ingredients are molassas, brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. It was delicious. After dinner, there was a hot, highly competetive game of trivial pursuit after dinner, girls against boys. I was not very good at reading the clues to the other team, as I often followed the card with a clue.
"Was it Reagan?" -- the boys, musing
"No." -- me, giving a very subtle hint
Despite my clues (I really need to learn how to be competetive...) Leslie and I beat Paul and Richie like it was our job. Leslie has an amazing stock of pop culture knowledge.
The four of us went out for Mexican food that night. One other reason that I love Pennsylvania is its BYOB policy. We brought a bottle of tequila and margarita mix, which seriously helped keep the bill low (although Rich and Leslie ended up buying us dinner, which was so nice.) Good food, good conversation, and good phone call for me (I got to hear from Australia!) We headed back to Rich and Leslie's for their quasi house warming party. Honestly, folks, you'd think that Paul and I -- being the youngest, fresh out of college -- would be the hardest partiers. Not true. In fact, we were the first to bed. It was a great party and everyone was nice and interesting. I ended up spending a long time talking to their neighbor about raising chickens. Apparently after a few glasses of wine, I think I'm destined to be a farmer?
I woke up early this morning despite the later evening and finished up dishes and Paul's and my laundry. Now, we're just waiting around for Rich and Leslie to wake up so we can give an appropriate farewell before heading off for a day of hiking and camping. My feet are ready for it!
love,
Alina
Tony -- Probably the best dog in the world.
Miles: about 600
Music: sultry Fiona Apple
The view from Speedblazer's throne Pennsylvania is beautiful. Paul and I drove down to Lancaster, the heart of Amish country. We enjoyed the free cultural museum, where we learned a lot! For example, the reasons that the Amish do not have their photos taken are because 1) pictures of individuals can lead to self-admiration/vanity, which detracts from the whole communal thing they've got going on 2) there shouldn't be any pictures/images of God and man is created in God's image. We also learned how to weave. Well, kind of.
I was even more confused than I look
I was even more confused than I lookAfter the museum, we walked just across the street to Penn Square to the Farmer's Market. We got lunch, fruit, and a bag of oats for camping breakfasts. Everything was extremely good and extremely cheap. That's exactly what we want for this trip!
Once done with the farmer's market, we realized we had seen pretty much all of Lancaster (it's not exactly big) and headed off to drive through more of Amish country. It was so nice to see all the farms, people in buggies, more farmer's markets, etc. We also were amused by the names of all of the towns: Intercourse, Bird-in-hand, Paradise, Virginville, Maiden's Creek. I don't even know what to say about those towns, except that we took a lot of pictures of things with the town's name on the sign and giggled a lot. I was praying for the town of Intercourse's church to be named "Church of Intercourse" but, alas, we never found it. Oh well. Probably better not to indulge my 12 year-old humor so much.
An image of God. Or, rather, an image of an image of God
The drive around Amish country turned into a we-got-lost-in-Amish-country drive, which proved just as fun and beautiful as when we were on the map. We took some pictures of the Amish on their horse and buggy rides, not remembering until we got home that they don't like their picture taken. Hrm. Anyhow, we found our way back home, due to some excellent navigating by Paul and maybe a handful of luck, in time for dinner with Richie and Leslie. We provided dessert: a shoo-fly pie that we had bought at one of the farmer's markets. The main ingredients are molassas, brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. It was delicious. After dinner, there was a hot, highly competetive game of trivial pursuit after dinner, girls against boys. I was not very good at reading the clues to the other team, as I often followed the card with a clue.
"Was it Reagan?" -- the boys, musing
"No." -- me, giving a very subtle hint
Despite my clues (I really need to learn how to be competetive...) Leslie and I beat Paul and Richie like it was our job. Leslie has an amazing stock of pop culture knowledge.
The next day was nice and relaxing. We went to check out an Indian festival, just down the road. The festival was neat, but Paul and I are holding out till the Southwest for buying our crafts and mocs. The drum circle was good, but the dancing was somewhat... subdued. Meaning, there was really only one dancer. And some kids.
He had Tweety wristbands on
The four of us went out for Mexican food that night. One other reason that I love Pennsylvania is its BYOB policy. We brought a bottle of tequila and margarita mix, which seriously helped keep the bill low (although Rich and Leslie ended up buying us dinner, which was so nice.) Good food, good conversation, and good phone call for me (I got to hear from Australia!) We headed back to Rich and Leslie's for their quasi house warming party. Honestly, folks, you'd think that Paul and I -- being the youngest, fresh out of college -- would be the hardest partiers. Not true. In fact, we were the first to bed. It was a great party and everyone was nice and interesting. I ended up spending a long time talking to their neighbor about raising chickens. Apparently after a few glasses of wine, I think I'm destined to be a farmer?
I woke up early this morning despite the later evening and finished up dishes and Paul's and my laundry. Now, we're just waiting around for Rich and Leslie to wake up so we can give an appropriate farewell before heading off for a day of hiking and camping. My feet are ready for it!
love,
Alina
Tony -- Probably the best dog in the world.
posted by Paul at 9:19 AM
4 Comments:
Guacamole and Ringo are very hurt by that last comment! We'll just pretend like that was never said! Zach and I were in Amish country too last week, in Grantsville, MD. It's like a different world, isn't it?...
There is no way that Tony is the best dog in the world. Tokay was very insulted!
Well, my CATS could kick all of the aforementioned dogs tails-ha ha. We miss you and are glad to hear you are having fun. Let us know when you are going to be in MT so we can give Pam a rough idea. Love and kisses, G and J
how many times have you listened to Chamillionaire's "Ridin'"...I'd say at least once a day would be sufficient for a road trip.
hope everything is going well :)
-shelley
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