Site # 826; W/E/S/CATV; Great wifi; back-in site
Campground.
It seems that rigs are sent to different loops depending on the size of the RV. We were all alone backed up against an Amish farm pasture - on the low side of a hill so we couldn't see far, but still very pretty and peaceful.
I walked to the top of the hill and snapped a couple photos of the farm.
On a later afternoon, we took a walk in the campground where we saw some cows grazing. I walked close to the electrified fence to take some photos. One, then another, and another saw me and started walking toward me. It really was hilarious as we tried to figure out if they were just curious, were expecting me to feed them, or were warning me to stay away. By their casual demeanor, I think they were just wondering who I was and what I was doing. Some were very interested and stared, others just stood besides the others, and some were licking their neighbors. I then noticed there were bulls and cows. I took photos till the sun went down.
The first one to notice me.
And then they came.
A little different from the rest.
Who's looking at who?
Rubbing necks and...
Kisses.
My favorite shot ! Getting the coy look!!!
As I moved up the field to catch some shots of the sunset, the cattle followed me.
As the sun was setting and I was walking away, I caught this last shot.
Camping Neighbor's Mishap.
Our neighbor in a Rockwood Roo had his awning blow off in the wind on Thursday. We were sitting in our trailer and could feel the wind rattle us from time to time. A big gust came and shook us. At the same time we heard a crash that sounded like our AC unit coming off the roof. I threw on my shoes and ran outside and saw his awning in three pieces between our trailers. Both of the arms that hold the awning had ripped right off the trailer as well as the awning. Twisted metal was at each end. I have not seen what the side of his trailer looks like and am afraid to look.
He said that it was a new awning and that “it wasn't windy” when he set up. I think it was pretty windy most of the day 5-10 mph, and then gusts much higher later in the day. The gust that rocked us must have been 25 mph or more. 35 mph would not have surprised me. It was a one time short gust that moved us in our trailer. Plus, we are in an open field. That doesn't help.
When we checked into this park, campers walking by were talking about the windy day before we got there (we had high winds and rain too in Maryland on that day). They said it was so windy that they brought in one of their slide outs.
Amish Area.
I have mixed feelings about visiting this area. First, I was unprepared for how busy it would be. We were camped on Route 30 which is a two lane road, but the straight shot between Lancaster and metro Philadelphia. It was a very busy road. Roads going off in any direction were markedly less traveled, but proved difficult to take photos because of the narrow roads, lack of shoulders, and traffic.
I only took a couple photos from a great distance so as not to disturb anyone.
Modern enough houses with their carriage.
I just liked this house.
Technology (tower) and Amish farms.
I like the variation of color in this photo at a roadside corner.
As one person told us, get off of route 30 and in 5 miles north or south of it, you will see farms. We did and it was pleasurable, but after about an hour on each of two days, I had seen enough. The farm buildings were very large and modern, looking like very successful farms. The houses were uniformly large and plain as expected. Clothes lines of black or white clothing were as common as silos.
I though that seeing the horse drawn carriages would be uncommon, but just the opposite. Everywhere there was a business, Amish women and older men either working. I can't recall ever seeing an Amish man between 25 and 50 years old. I suspect they are all working the farms.
The only time we saw any younger men were on their scooters particularly at the end of the work day. Around 4 PM the roads would be well covered in horse and buggies as well as men and women riding scooters – which look exactly like a normal old school road bike without pedals. With one foot on a platform between the large wheels, they push off with the other.
At the post office.
Shopping.
Yes there are plenty of shops. Shop shop shop. Shop till you drop. Quilt and local jams and jellies are common. Tried the shoofly pie. Not a fan. I thought it was nothing but batter and molasses. I like molasses, but it was a too doughy for me.
Although, a key to a man's heart...
Our first stop was Stolzfus meats ( https://stoltzfusmeats.com ). This place was crazy! An enormous selection of their sausages and other meats as well as a great selection of cheese, pastries, and other goodies. We went back two more times. Our excuse was to bring home some things for the family. Their home made bologna is like a summer sausage. The sticky buns were terrific too.
For our 30th anniversary I told Sandy that I would take her to Paradise.
We celebrated our anniversary with a diner at the Revere Tavern in Paradise, PA. This stone building was owned by the 15th president James Buchanan from 1841 to 1854. It was cute inside, the service good, the food good ( a great French Onion soup), but my steak was overcooked. As compensation our waitress gave us two coffee mugs. That was different. Despite that we thoroughly enjoyed treating ourselves.
Two more stops to go..
