May 31/Jun 1 2012

Thursday May 31^st 2012

·      Drove to Little Red Schoolhouse Amish info centre. Bought a book about Amish

·       On to Shady Maple Grocery store. Size of a Walmart… all groceries. Cheap T-bone steaks .. got some… you get what you pay for!!!!!

·      Picked up wood from Amish family… so lovely .. they were genuinely glad to talk with us … Mom, Dad and sons (and beagle puppies)…. $15 for a huge wheelbarrow full of dry oak.  They were enthralled with our accent. Sent us on our way with a beautiful farewell “Be blessed!”

·      Absorbed sights and sounds of Amish country

·      Back to site.  Relaxed.. Derek strummed, I read cross stitch book outside.

·      4pm … lit the fire and Jack and Didi came over about 5:30.  We joined Passport America (Used them as referral) They stayed til 7:30 pm

·      BBQ’d steak …not great but corn and company was fantastic. …. Awwww!!

·      Burned lots of wood … cos we could !!!!!!!

·      Skyped with both B and G…. lovely staying in touch.

$15 A BIG BARROW LOAD

Friday June 1^st

·      Decided not to go to Dragon Fly market with Jack and Didi as weather was getting ominous. Said goodbye when they left at 8am. Packed and sadly left Spring Gulch… we will be back.

·      Hot spell over … cold enough to use electric fireplace this morning.

·      Left at 9:45 heading for Corning and a ‘cheap’ Passport America campsite.

·      Drove up Rte 15… passing familiar sites and signs along the way… still impressed with this beautiful state. Huge Pennsylvania forested valleys .. magnificent.

·      Drove through Liverpool on the Susquehanna River (not the Mersey)

·      Seemed to keep ahead of the weather as we drove.. a little rain but not the storms that Pennsylvania was expecting.

·      Arrived at Camp Bell in Campbell…. One look and we decided to move on…. We have been spoiled already. Decided to try out Hickory Hill in Bath as there is a Camping World store nearby.  We were glad!! Lovely site. And half of this weekend’s income going to cancer survivors fund..

·      Set up in a mild drizzle. Drove around campground then popped the champagne we bought a couple of days ago… Yum. Cooked supper. Early night.

·      Storming in the evening… hoping for a better day tomorrow as campground hosts a cancer support special fund raising event.

Wednesday May 30th 2012

Coming home for dinner

Wed may 30th 2012

On these roads we sometimes had to wait to pass.
But somehow it didn't seem to matter

Up and out to the Farmer's Market in Bird In Hand Pennsylvania.

SO MUCH HARD WORK

Small food area, lots of gift areas. Enjoyed watching fudge making. Bought some cheese pretzels, Shoofly pie, great coffee, home made sweet/hot mustard. Tasted lots of delicacies!! Went to Strasburg and found a cross-stitch shop... wow... Janice was fascinated and has bought supplies to make a special gift for someone (secret)!!! Gonna be a fun project. We then just drove around the Amish countryside and marveled at how very beautiful it is.
 

I really think they may run into us!!!

Sheesh... thank goodness they turned the corner... great driving!!!

Anoither beautiful farm homestead

Fascinating to watch ... young lad knew what he was doing too

Also noticed young Amish pushing scooters along the road that look like full size bikes with no pedals but with a flat step in the middle to scoot from... quite an interesting setup.  Stopped by at the Lancaster Beer and Wine Gallery (Rumspring Beer and Mount Hope Wine).  Tasted the beer .. not very impressed.. too hoppy! But we did find some lovely plastic wine glasses (look like crystal) for the camper... and we also bought a white wine and a champagne from the winery section after tasting a selection of the wines. (again reds were too light).

 We turned a corner and saw a huge set of horses coming toward us over the brow of a field... they stopped right at the edge in front of us... we thought hey were gonna keep going and run into us.

 Visited the Strasburg railroad... rebuilt and renovated to how it was in 1915... they have trips available on the steam train but we opted just to look around the station etc, and carry on our way. They are doing a great job at the station and the whole area is filled with train museums etc (toy and full size). 

Memories of Rock Ferry Station!!!

 

They had a place in the parking lot of the grocery store for the Amish to park!!!

Back on tour we stopped at a covered bridge at Herr's Mill and looked around the old Mill.  then on back to camp, via another covered bridge that we drove through.

Couldn't have got under this one with the trailer attached... too low!!

 Back at camp we again had a swim and read by the pool.. we were the only ones there. Got invited by a lovely couple we met yesterday, (Jack and Didi Chor) originally from Boston, Mass (now in Florida)).. to have a drink before dinner by their campfire. We then BBQ'd up some chicken and they came over to our campfire and we shared tales of our travels etc.. they told us about Passport America and we joined it then and there.. great discounts at campgrounds across America.
Lovely day and evening all round.
We have not had 'signs of the day for a couple of days... so here are a few signs to inspire and uplift you..... corny but relevant!!!!

Tuesday May 29th 2012 - Intercourse Pennsylvania

Tuesday May 29th 2012 - Intercourse Pennsylvania

Spent most of the day In Intercourse Pennsylvania. There is a little touristy area called "Kitchen Kettle" that has various crafts and homemade preserves etc. It was a bit touristy for us, but we did enjoy the very best Ice Cream ever made by an Amish Farm.... they also made their own potato chips and we had a bag each for a $1 extra with the ice cream.... oh my goodness. Miss Vicky's move over!!!!!

Home made potato chips (crisps to you in UK)

There were some Banjo players that we sat and watched with a Latte in hand and then we took off to explore a bit. Found a great kitchen shop and bought a pot spoon holder. Called Harry .... happy 94th. Explored an great little Amish furniture maker and marvelled at the workmanship... just amazing. He actually made some rocking chairs from the wood/plastic combo (like trex)... sorely tempted but resisted. Went to pick up some groceries and discovered that beer is only sold at bars or at the "Bottle shop" ... so off we went on a hunt. Found the Bottle Shop.... basically a drive through shanty garage filled with cases of beer and a cash register!!! Bought 24 of our now favourite local beer YeungLing dark lager.... MMMM!! 24 for $17.87. They had our favourite UK beer Bass for $33 for 24 beer... amazing price considering how far it has come!!  Headed to the Amish butcher (Stolzfus) and bought a couple of home smoked pork chops and Keilbasa.  
Went to RV dealer looking for a patio mat.. but too expensive for our taste.. so we are still matless!!

Washing everywhere... Amish wash by hand..
one thing that would stop me converting!

Back to camp... went for a swim and read by the pool before BBQing pork.... suddenly the sky went black and the rain came down... thunder and lightening etc... rained mist of the night after that, but Derek did manage to finish BBQ under the canopy and it was amazing... earlyish night. Some photos from the day and instead of a sign of the day I took pictures of some great signs I saw while browsing through the Kitchen Kettle stores.

But oh how peaceful it all looks... but HARD work!!

The Amish in this area all have grey topped wagons..
This one was all grey. Cute little calf on its way to a new home...

 

BEST EVER ICE CREAM. (and chips)

Entrance to Kitchen Kettle Area

Lovely relaxing day .. watching music, drinking Latte

 

So many Amish buggies... gotta stop taking photos

Old order Amish are home schooled... these must be modern Amish children... or they are at a strict Amish school

Mon May 28th - Conewego to Spring Gulch Campground, New Holland

Monday May 28^th 2012 - Conewego to Spring Gulch Campground, New Holland

Up and out to rivers edge with tea and watched some serious early morning fishing : 

Across from our site - early morning

And again

Kids fishing

One on the Hook

Landed a big one

Proud moment

Very Large Catfish.... another guy took it to cook later.

o   Decided to leave Conewego Isle and and get into the Lancaster area. Found campground in Woodall's guide. Arrived at spring Gulch Campground in New Holland close to Intercourse Pennsylvania.

o   We chose a site on upper level and are blown away by  the size and privacy of the sites…. We are in #1587. What a difference from Conewego. 2 lakes, 2 pools, WiFi, store… (even a spa)….

o   Set up and headed for the pool and read our books, chatted from other campers (always good to get the scoop on other good sites etc etc.

o   Had dinner, chatted with Braden on Skyoe lit a fire and relaxed.

o   Slow day and totally enjoyed it. Hot and sunny all day. 

We saw a train of about 20-30 Amish Buggies - Memorial day

More buggies - Memorial day

Camped and off to the pool

Aaahhh ---- LOVELY!!!

Great food

Great site - Spring Gulch Campground #1587 .. New Holland PA.

Sunday May 27th 2012 - Gettysburg Day

·      Today was Gettysburg day for us. Memorial weekend here in the US.

·      Straight to Gettysburg historic site and museum.

·      Started off with a movie narrated by Morgan Freeman which summarized the events leading up, the reasons for and the chronology of the American Civil War 1861 -1865. Basically it found it’s beginnings in the election of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861. He wanted to end slavery and prevent it’s spread westward as the United States grew. South Carolina seceded from the union and sparked a confederation with 5 other southern states. They appointed Jefferson Davis as their first President and so America had 2 sitting presidents. Robert E Lee headed up the Confederate Army and General Meade the Union army. When the Confederates threatened to take Pennsylvania by force, the Union Army (USA) decided to fight back and thus began the three day conflict in July 1863 in Gettysburg.

·      Gettysburg saw about 50,000 casualties (about 8,000 deaths) The rest Injured or missing.

·      We headed up to a ‘Cyclorama’ which was painted in the 1888’s…. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING…  It was refurbished in 2002 for a cost of $5million. Inch by inch using razor blades and Qtips.  The detail was astonishing. 

·      Bought a 3 cd set of an auto tour and set off for about 4 1/2 hours around the battlefield. To stop and read all of the 1400 monuments would be days !!!!

·      To relate all the heart-renching details and stories would be too much. But we  would recommend anyone to do this tour. Some highlights:

o   Confederates attacked from Seminary Ridge against the union army on Cemetery Ridge (known as Pickett’s charge)

o   Highest loss of life in any single day in American history.

o   Brothers fought against brothers, friends against friends

o   If Stonewall Jackson (under Robert E Lee) had not been killed before Gettysburg, one wonders if the result would have been different and hence life as we know it in North America.

o   One of the key success factors for the Union was the recruitment of freed black slaves into military service a much need boost to the numbers .

o   Attacks and counter attacks were numerous (especially at Little Round Top, a strategic  high spot that the confederates tried to take and failed.

o   Only one civilian casualty (a woman, Jenny Wade who was baking in her kitchen at the time)

o   Gettysburg was the pivotal point in the civil war, yet it continued on for 2 more years.

·      Derek and I were moved by this day of immersing ourselves in the American Civil War. We knew little about it before but came away almost exhausted, yet enthralled by the enormity of the event. 

Some Photos from the day:

The spot Where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.. (inscribed on righthand panel)

the Etrenal Flame

Sally., the regimental dog who stayed with dead member of Pennsylvania regiment until the remaining members returend and found her almost starved... she refused to leave them behgind.

Untion cannons on Cemetery Hill.. aimed at Seminary Hill

Derek on phone to UK Derek from Little Round Top

Please step away from the phone.... or else!!!!!

On top of Little Round Top.... Rccks that have quite a story (UK Derek?????)

general Robert E Lee atop his hore Traveller

The famous rocks from Little Round Top (Devils Glen?)

Trostle Fsrm- (with Cannon ball hole in roof preserved (saw original photo with dead animals in front.

Big Round Top... Not as strategic beacuse of tree coverage.

Pennsylvania monument to soldiers

 Culps Hill Look out over battlefields (Confedereate hill)

On Top of Culps hill Lookout tower

Waiting patiently at Culps hill.

Ready, Aim..... Fire

Derek once again in line of fire

·      Back to camp and BBQ’d some chicken we bought earlier in the day … delicious.  And then the heavens opened…. What a quick storm… we saw the guy across the way folding up his awning and pulling in his pushouts… turned out he had an advanced weather warning system phone app… must get that!!!!