The Amish Country...

We took a day out from visiting with family and visited the towns of Lancaster and Ronks about 30 miles to our west, Amish Country. We shared the road with horse-drawn buggies and young boys riding scooters on the side of the road. We visited a place called The Amish Village in Ronks and took a tour and learned about Amish life. I wanted to take a buggy ride through the country, but Jack felt it was too cold and promised we would do it next time. I plan to hold him to it! We finished out our day with dinner at an Amish buffet, Dienner's Country Restaurant. The food was homemade and wonderful...especially the meatloaf, mashed potatoes and Éclair Pie! We saw several local Amish couples eating there...a sure sign I wasn't the only one who though it was good!

If it seems as though we ate well in Pennsylvania, it is because we did!

A Few Facts We Learned...

Marriages are not arranged. People meet, fall in love, and choose to marry. There is no divorce and remarriage but one may remarry if a spouse dies. Weddings are all held in November and December because this is when the crops are in and they have time to go to weddings. The wedding is held at the bride's home and they usually have 350 - 400 guests! It is an all day affair, starting with church at 8:30AM, vows around 11, a large meal, opening gifts while the children sing from around 2 -4:30, then another large meal and more singing, finally ending around 9PM.

Churches have 26 families. When that number is reached a new church is formed. They attend church every other Sunday and each family is required to have church in their home once a year. Children are baptized by choice once they reach adulthood. Most choose to be baptized, but not all.

They do no work on Sunday. Meals for that day are prepared ahead of time.

They do not own or drive cars, but can hire them and ride in them. They do not have telephones in their homes...no utility lines or wires going to the home, but they can use cell phones in business or at the end of their property.

Typical Amish home...

Refrigerator is gas powered, lights are propane. The stove in the foreground is from previous times; the stove in the background is more modern and is also gas powered.

  

Clothes are made at home. Little boys wear dresses until they learn to walk, then short pants until they are older. Their clothes are black and jackets fasten with hook and eye closures, no buttons. They do not wear belts, but use suspenders to hold up their pants. Girls always wear dresses. Girls' and women's clothes are fastened with straight pins! I would think that would make you move rather carefully!

Girls wear dresses as seen in these photos. They may be any color but red or yellow, and solids only, no plaids or prints, so as not to draw attention to oneself. A girl will wear one of these dresses with a white apron over it on her wedding day. Once married, she will wear a black apron over her dress. The white apron is put away until her death when she will wear it once again, as she will be buried all in white.




Washing machine is gasoline powered. These are refurbished for Amish use. Yes, there really are Amish Maytag repairmen!

An Amish Schoolhouse...

Signs over the entrance and exit to the schoolhouse...

Children's art work...

Sign in front of classroom...



Education in the Amish community ends at the eighth grade. There is no higher education thus there are no professionals. If they need to see a doctor or other professional, they go outside the community to what they call "The English" - meaning us!

Blacksmith Shop

I think our Amish Country visit was a favorite for me!

Pennsylvania Family, Part 2...

 My sister Amy lives halfway between Brandywine Creek Campground and Philadelphia. We spent Sunday October 20th with Amy touring Historic Philadelphia. We toured Independence Hall, saw the Liberty Bell, visited Ben Franklin's Grave, walked the Historic area, and ended our day with a delicious Italian dinner at Panini's Trattoria on Market Street in the Old City.

Independence Hall and the room where our nation was born...

George Washington actually sat in the tall chair seen at the back of this room.

Some of the architecture in Independence Hall, which was known as the Pennsylvania State House at the time the Declaration of Independence was written and signed.

Standing outside Independence Hall...

 




Some of the beautiful scenery seen walking in Historic Philadelphia.

 

Ben Franklin's Grave

  

  Jack and Amy waiting to see the Liberty Bell. 

Monday we visit The Amish Country...

Visiting Pennsylvania Family...

We headed East from Gettysburg to Brandywine Creek Campground to visit family in the area. It is a nice campground with comfortable, level sites, but long and winding roads lead to it. Be sure to follow the directions listed on their website if you visit...your GPS will take you to a one lane bridge!

My niece Laura, her husband Martin, and their two boys John and Eric live in Glenmoore, only three miles from the campground, and we spent much time visiting and eating! It was also the first time Jack met my Pennsylvania family. We enjoyed Friday night dinner at Ludwig's Grille and Oyster Bar, a Saturday lunch at The Pour House and an Italian dinner at Allegria Ristorante Italiano. It was a fun and tasty visit!

 John, holding Katara, Eric with Shorty, Laura and Martin

John and Katara, Eric and Shorty, Gail and Jack

Martin, Laura, Gail, Jack

Eric and Aunt Gail with Blue Bear and Red Bird at Allegria Ristorante Italiano.

John, Martin and Laura took a turn posing with Blue Bear and Red Bird to say hello to Katie and Jackson!.

This was our last night before we headed for West Virginia and a visit with my son Michael. We had a great visit!



During our visit, we made an unscheduled stop at Premier Urgent Care in Exton for some antibiotics for Jack's ear infection. We were very pleased with the care he received there.

Next up...Philadelphia