Heading out of DC to Gettysburg, site of a significant battle in the Civil War and site of the famous address by Lincoln. I had no idea really of the size of the battlefield nor really very much about the actual battle. Shortly after arriving there is a talk on medicine on the battlefield. This was interesting with audience participation wben a man volunteered to have his leg amputated.
Then we participated in a good bit of fun, a talk called Battle in a Box. Ropes were laid on the ground to mark roads, a creek and ridges on the battlefield. We were allocated various divisions of the two armies, shown by labels around our necks and our guide described the three days of battle by moving us around the field. It was a great idea, I for one got a much clearer idea of what unfolded. It also made a great difference as Lauren and I drove around the field on a self guided tour. The monuments and sites we saw had a greater relevance for us. The drive was 24 miles long and all along the route are battle line markers, memorials to the various military units on both sides and State memorials. It is a lot to take in, I left feeling a little overwhelmed.
Over the past couple of days we have been in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The county is known as Amish country, or Pennsylvania Dutch territory. It isn't actually a Dutch but German background and a version of German, known colloquially as Pennsylvania Dutch, is still spoken by many in the area. It is a beautiful region to ride around with much to see.
On our first full day we drove into Lancaster to meet up with Stacey, who leads us out of town on one of her regular riding routes with stops at a local thrift shop, through a covered bridge or two and a dairy that sells very good ice-cream. Ice cream seems to be a staple of riding here, a good one.
We ride past, or are passed by, horse-drawn buggies which is the usual form of transport for the Amish community. They live without electricity or motors, dress simply and farm using old fashioned methods. That does not tell you everything about the life, but is what is most apparent to outsiders. Nor do I think I have finished learning.
Corn is being harvested and various farm implements are drawn by horses, aometimes one or a pair up to six wide. It is fascinating and I try to photograph them without upsetting anyone, as photos of faces are to be avoided.
That night we attend a community restaurant, where everyone is seated comunally at long tables and dinner is a set menu. The food just keeps coming, appetisers, followed by fried chicken, slow cooked pot roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas, corn and a local tradition - noodles in butter sauce. That is followed by cheesecake, cherry pie and another local speciality Shoofly pie. Ice cream is also offered. Will definitely have to work that off tomorrow.
And that is the plan. Lauren has our route worked out, starting with the Bird in Hand Farmers Market where there are plenty of samples and we buy lunch to eat a bit later. We also visit Witmers Quilts where we view some beautiful old quilts andcenjoy talking to the owner about them, and the newer quilts. There are some stunning intricate designs, one has over 1800 pieces in it!
I am not going to check the chronology, we saw a couple more quilt places (yes I bought some fabric, but not much), ate our lunch at the Bird in Hand Bakehouse which sells sweet baked goods, visited an old corn and flour mill and last stop at the Lapp Dairy for a small excellent ice-cream.
Back to the motel, shower and find a light dinner to offset the day's carb loading.
This has indeed been a great place to go riding, undulating hills, little towns dotted throughout and delicious food in abundance. Only drawback is tourists ☺
Over the past couple of days we have been in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The county is known as Amish country, or Pennsylvania Dutch territory. It isn't actually a Dutch but German background and a version of German, known colloquially as Pennsylvania Dutch, is still spoken by many in the area. It is a beautiful region to ride around with much to see.
On our first full day we drove into Lancaster to meet up with Stacey, who leads us out of town on one of her regular riding routes with stops at a local thrift shop, through a covered bridge or two and a dairy that sells very good ice-cream. Ice cream seems to be a staple of riding here, a good one.
Corn is being harvested and various farm implements are drawn by horses, aometimes one or a pair up to six wide. It is fascinating and I try to photograph them without upsetting anyone, as photos of faces are to be avoided.
That night we attend a community restaurant, where everyone is seated comunally at long tables and dinner is a set menu. The food just keeps coming, appetisers, followed by fried chicken, slow cooked pot roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas, corn and a local tradition - noodles in butter sauce. That is followed by cheesecake, cherry pie and another local speciality Shoofly pie. Ice cream is also offered. Will definitely have to work that off tomorrow.
And that is the plan. Lauren has our route worked out, starting with the Bird in Hand Farmers Market where there are plenty of samples and we buy lunch to eat a bit later. We also visit Witmers Quilts where we view some beautiful old quilts andcenjoy talking to the owner about them, and the newer quilts. There are some stunning intricate designs, one has over 1800 pieces in it!
I am not going to check the chronology, we saw a couple more quilt places (yes I bought some fabric, but not much), ate our lunch at the Bird in Hand Bakehouse which sells sweet baked goods, visited an old corn and flour mill and last stop at the Lapp Dairy for a small excellent ice-cream.
Back to the motel, shower and find a light dinner to offset the day's carb loading.
This has indeed been a great place to go riding, undulating hills, little towns dotted throughout and delicious food in abundance. Only drawback is tourists ☺
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