September 11th

At some point during my sleep last night, I started to feel like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz". I was ready to go home. Bill agreed with me, so after another nice breakfast we packed up and headed home. We can finish our final camping stop another time.  We've been reflecting on our trip and it truly was an excellent adventure! We've enjoyed nature -- beautiful waterfalls, magnificent mountains, delightful lakes, and beaches, stunning gardens, and some very nice camping spots. We learned (or re-learned) our country's history with some very interesting tours and trips to historic sites and past leader's homes. We've been able to put ourselves in other people's shoes, from religious sects like the Shakers or the Amish with their "simple life" beliefs to the good folks who grew up with Andy Griffith. And most importantly,  we have been lucky enough to visit 4 very special people who we don't get to see often enough.  We loved staying with Max and Sierra-- two amazing young people who are living such a focused, positive, and happy life together. The love and respect they have for each other is touching and makes my heart swell with love for them. We also loved spending time with Paul and Reba. Our 3 days together were wonderfully fun and I so enjoyed reconnecting with my big brother in his new and lovely home with his new and lovely wife. I had met Reba before but we really didn't have a chance to get to know one another.  Now I can see why Paul is so happy -- she's a sweet, caring, and generous person and I am so glad she is my new sister. 

 

This adventure has truly been a gift and I am grateful beyond words that my most amazing husband and I shared it together!

And now to unpack and face a mountain of laundry and mail! 

Thanks for following along with us!

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!

September 10th

Well, in some ways we didn't plan this trip very well! The City of Brotherly Love was awash with policemen today in preparation for the presidential debate and on alert for the violence that seems to be a part of American life now. We visited the Betsy Ross house and learned about the risks she took to make our first flag. We also saw the Liberty Bell which is a sign of the freedoms that have been hard won for so many different people within our country and a symbol of America as a whole. Somehow these things give me hope that our present divides can be overcome.  I think as we get older we tend to become more cynical and fearful for the future, but for me, this trip has been a reaffirmation. Bill and I have met a lot of nice people on our journey -- politics aside, deep down I think most of us are the same. We love our families, we hope for peace, we want to be comfortable in our lives and livelihoods, we want to be safe, and we want to have some fun in our lives.

Speaking of fun, we went to a very cool place this afternoon called Reading Terminal Market. It's a huge marketplace that includes many specialty restaurants,  butcher shop booths, produce shops, bakeries, honey and oil/ vinegar stores, etc.

Bill finally tried a cheesesteak (not completely thrilled), and I had a (GF) fried dough for the first time in ages (completely thrilled!)

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!

September 9th

We're in Philadelphia and staying at a B&B. It's a huge Victorian structure built to be a guest house and has been since the mid-1800s. It is certainly a "period piece" -- it feels like you've entered your great-grandmother's home stuffed full of knickknacks and fabulous antiques. We took a trolley into the city center -- an experience in itself! There's a wonderful museum called the Museum of the American Revolution that is a gem -- it has movies, life-size dioramas, and artifacts to bring the story of our country to life. One of the best things there is George Washington's tent, which moved from battle site to battle site. Also, his portable bed was dismantled and reassembled as he moved around. I rather covet that bed, lol. One of the cool things we saw as we walked around was a street called Elfreth's Alley. It has small pre-revolutionary homes that have been continuously occupied since that time. 

After dinner, we took the trolley back and sat on the veranda sipping wine and enjoying the sights and sounds of our temporary home.

 

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!

September 8th

Another fabulous breakfast at our B&B this morning, and a full table of guests! It was a fun way to start our day. Our host made a gluten-free shoefly pie for me as a treat -- very sweet and sweet of them. We bid a fond farewell to Lancaster and headed to Longwood Gardens outside of Philadelphia. It's a magnificent expansive garden built by Pierre DuPont. The grounds are beautiful, the fountains spectacular, and the greenhouse/conservatory is full of specimen plants. The orchid room is especially entrancing. We also toured the duPont country home -- a large beautiful place that somehow feels cozy and comfortable.  

Dinner tonight was an Italian restaurant within walking distance of our hotel, which was probably a good thing as we rolled home after some good pasta and wine!

 

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!

September 7th

This B&B is just the nicest place! We had a most delicious breakfast in their dining room with the other guests. The highlight of the meal for me? Juicy fresh peaches, the kind people write poems about!

We spent most of the day browsing the craft stores and antique shops in the area. I think our favorite store was the Amish market -- stall after stall of food... Cheeses and meats, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods(the apple fritter got Bill's nod of approval), fudge and other homemade candies, and fruit and veggies from the local farms. 

We went to a model train display called the Choo Choo Barn which was a 1700-foot square foot room with the most awesome train layout that we've ever seen. Amazing, truly amazing!

We had a very nice dinner at the Fireside Tavern and are now comfortably relaxing in our lovely room.

Some special sights -- Amish children next door painting their fence, a buggy on the road,  our neighbor's calf, and lots of fun train photos. (And some cool videos in the Google Photos album, Dont forget to check them out!)

 

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!

September 6th

We got up at the crack of dawn and rushed around like nuts packing up the car. We had a tour in Gettysburg at 10:30 and needed to be on the road by 7. What a way to start the day! We visited the Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg -- the view from the cupola was spectacular! Re-learned so much Civil War history today. One of the things I found particularly interesting was the medical care ( or lack of it) for the injured troops. The injured embodied the phrase " war is hell" in my mind.  

We had lunch at The Gettysburger, a hamburger-forward restaurant in town. Great name! And great burgers too.

We are staying in a historic  B&B in Lancaster -- a big stone house about 200 years old and charming.  We have one of the top floor rooms with views of the Amish farms. Lots of buggies driving up and down the road!

 

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!

September 5th

 A beautiful morning! Tiny pine siskins playing in the trees beside us, cool temp, and a hearty camp breakfast with good coffee -- nice! Today we took it easy and enjoyed the lovely Lake Anna Park. We spent most of the day at the beach and my determined fisherman caught 9 fish! Made up for those times with barely a nibble! We've met some interesting people here too. The camp hosts had a 9-year sailing adventure from Rhode Island to New Zealand, sold their boat there, and now travel the US in their camper. One couple in the campground re-purposed a 1956 truck into a camper -- it was awesome! Another man (and his German shepherd) was fixing up an old van so he could travel the country -- he was rather a character who never misses a fun time. 

We cooked by the fire and turned in early. Note to self: pack more lights!

 

Road Trip Photo Album - Click on the link to see more pictures of our adventures!