The Farm that Time Forgot

Where next? Back in time!  Well, sort of but not really.  We headed out of Delaware to Lancaster county in Pennsylvania.  A land filled with picturesque farms, rolling hills, farm animals, and horse and buggy rides.  Picture post card perfect! The roads are winding, the farms immaculate and meticulously maintained.  Sigh.  Screech! These same winding two lanes roads are shared by a billion or so automobiles dodging horse carriages.  Yes, we were in the not so rural countryside where a large community of Amish and Mennonites call home.  So beautiful but turns out it has turned into a big tourist destination.  Bus loads of folks visiting to see how life was in a simpler time.  Visiting the many shops filled with crafty home décor, stopping at roadside farm stands, taking carriage rides.  I began to wonder how much was genuine and how much was show.  I have mixed feelings about the area.  Plus, the Amish and Mennonites were not overly friendly and always seemed surprise when I would say hello or ask a question at one of those many farm stands.  I guess it is to be expected if your lifestyle and religious choices were paraded as a tourist attraction.

We stayed in Intercourse, PA in a little RV park called Beacon Hill right in town.  Pretty enough but the sites were tight and staggered on a steep hill.  It was right across from a working Mennonite farm.  It was fun to watch the workings of the farm.  The field would light up with lightening bugs ( you may call them fireflies) at night bringing back wonderful childhood memories.  We do not have lightening bugs in New Mexico.  It was magical.  

The traffic became wearing after a few days.  These roads are narrow and not meant for being shared by both automobiles and horse carriages often making for harrowing near collisions. Plus, getting anywhere was confusing.  You never quite had a real sense of direction, even our GPS systems seemed to whack out.  We often drove right by our destinations never realizing it because nothing was marked.  One day we visited the Mascot Roller Mill and Ressler Home.  It was very interesting and worth getting lost.  It was of one of those places we drove by twice!  And the Lapp Family farm (we missed the turn three times for this one) has a dairy store where you can get wonderful homemade ice cream in a homemade waffle cone.   The cows are right there along with where they make the ice cream and butter.   They allow you to walk along the grounds but ask that women dress respectfully – no shorts or low cut tops if you want to watch them milk the cows.    I felt judged.

The town of Hershey was also nearby, that Mecca of chocolate making.  It was free to visit the store. It was not what I was expecting.  It was much more like Disney Theme Park than a factory tour complete with singing robot cows and an amusement park which is not free.   I'd recommend passing on this unless you have small children.   It is very much a tourist trap and crazy crowded.  Another day we visited the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania   in nearby Strasburg.  It was impressive and worth a visit whether or not you are a train buff.  Across the street is the Strasburg Railroad offering a train ride in the nearby countryside.  Jack and I did not do this,  but it did look like it would be  fun to do especially with children.

We ended staying here longer than expected due to our dog Wodi needing the removal of a benign tumor on his eyelid. He is doing well and fully recovered.  We had to switch RV parks  mid stay because no availability at Beacon Hill.  The second park was larger and sites more level but had an odd vibe.  Or maybe it was me and I was ready to move on, but  it was next to one of those farm stands. Hmmmm, I smell fresh baked bread.   Maybe I'll get some of that bread first.