Sept 24-28, 2012 Trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania

We planned to leave 5:15 am to arrive at a reasonable time in Ronks, Pennsylvania where we booked camp sites for 4 nights. After a wake up call at 4:30 to Peter and Immy,  Herman and Amanda arriving at our home at 5:00, we promptly left at 5:15.  Jennie had arrived the night before.  We decided to try the ferries to New York.  A great decision, as it brought a few excitements.  After the first ferry, we had a twenty minute gorgeous drive across Wolfe Island to the second ferry.    

Wolfe Island 

Waiting for the second ferry.

This was a very very small ferry.
The motor home just fit on it crosswise with the rear end hanging overboard. 

Leaving Wolfe Island

The US border!
Marcel and I were finger printed and our picture taken.
At 8:30 we were on our way  

Herman working on the GPS.  Love a man on his knees!!!

By 10:30 we were ready for breakfast.
Immy suggested Crackel Barrel.  Complete with grits.  (coarsely ground corn boiled in water)
Biscuits and Sawmill gravy.  (Gravy is meat fat drippings, flour and milk/water).

 

We kept taking detours (wrong turns).  Amanda pointing at the map to where we have to go. 

Herman faithfully being the navigator with the GPS.  They make a great team. 

Beautiful countryside on route near Hazelton PA. 
After a couple of gas fill-ups, we arrived safely at the camp-ground at 6:30 at night.  
13 1/4 hours to get there.  The drivers were pretty tired.


   

The sites that were assigned to us were yucky, 
so we picked out some better ones and everyone was happy.  
Herman and Amanda treated us to pizza for supper.  

Tuesday 25th.
We all had a great sleep.
After coffee and a lazy start, Amanda and I went for a bike ride to explore the neighbourhood  before breakfast.

This covered bridge is on our camp-ground   
Herr's Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1844 by Joseph Elliot and Robert Russell at a cost of $1787. It has a double-span, double-arch construction. In 1875 the bridge was rebuilt by James C. Carpenter at a cost of $1860.  The bridge was later bypassed by a new concrete bridge and the covered bridge  is now on the private property of the Mill Bridge Village Camping Resort. 

The Herr's Mill Bridge is 178' long and 15' wide.  The Double Burr Truss
  

Waiting for our big breakfast of eggs, pea-meal bacon and toast with jams that Amanda made. 

Our sites

An Amish farm beside the camp-ground....along with the farm odors. 

The horse and buggies look so picturesque in the country.
 Unfortunately there are also a lot of cars. 

 While Peter and Immy made us a big breakfast at camp, Herman and I went exploring the neighborhood taking our cameras. We passed this Amish man and I asked if I could take his picture and he nodded. The Amish do not solicit or encourage people to take their picture. They usually turn their heads. 
They are private people who avoid as much contact with strangers and the "outside world" as possible for important religious and cultural reasons.  Tourists need to be considerate of their lifestyle. 

While we were strolling, we heard Amanda's whistle that breakfast was ready.
Rather than walking all the way around and having a cold breakfast, we decided to take the short cut across the broken bridge.  Herman went first....

Herman carefully treading  to the other side avoiding the holes that landed you in the river below.
He made it, so then I crossed also.   

We did all our outings in the van.
Usually 3 in the back on the bed, one sitting on the floor, and the rest on the seats. 

Gorgeous work horses.

. Today we saw an intricately designed reproduction of the original Old Testament tabernacle.  
About 2-3 million Israelites were travelling through the desert.  Four hundred miles long if they stood in line according to our guide.  

The Biblical tabernacle reproduction was created in the late 1940's as the "Moses Tabernacle in the Wilderness," by a Baptist minister in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mennonites later purchased the replica and eventually joined it with the Mennonite Information Center. 

The tabernacle replica is housed in a building with a contoured upward ceiling and an acoustically pleasing atmosphere. Presentation guides versed in the scriptural context and significance of the tabernacle and its furniture lead you in conversation from the Brazen Altar just inside the eastern gate of the courtyard to the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. 

Everything hard was made of painted wood to represent gold, silver, and bronze. There was a representation of the layers of material that covered the actual tabernacle. 

A full-size, wax figure of the high priest presides over the altar of incense in the Holy Place. His authentic robes have precious stones imbedded in gold on his breastplate. The Golden Candlestick, (not made-to-scale) and Table of Shew Bread  (made-to-scale). A fully researched design of the veil separates the people from the presence of God just like in olden times. 

High Priest

The menorah, also called the “golden lampstand” or “candlestick,” stood at the left side of the Holy Place. It was hammered out of one piece of pure gold. Like for the basin, there were no specific instructions about the size of the menorah, but the fact that it was fashioned out of one piece of pure gold would have limited its size.

The lampstand had a central branch from which three branches extended from each side, forming a total of seven branches. Seven lamps holding olive oil and wicks stood on top of the branches. Each branch looked like that of an almond tree, containing buds, blossoms and flowers. The priests were instructed to keep the lamps burning continuously.

Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place. Judging from its name, we can see that it was a most sacred room, a place no ordinary person could enter. It was God’s special dwelling place in the midst of His people. During the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness, God appeared as a pillar of cloud or fire in and above the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was a perfect cube — its length, width and height were all equal to 15 feet.
Tourists were not allowed in here.  Windows to look through, and no pictures at all in here.
I took the 4 pics above  from the internet. 

The laver, or basin, was a large bowl filled with water located halfway between the brazen altar and the Holy Place. Although God did not give specific measurements for the Laver, it was to be made entirely of bronze. The priests were to wash their hands and their feet in it before entering the Holy Place.

The brazen altar, bronze altar, or altar of sacrifice was situated right inside the courtyard upon entering the gate to the tabernacle. The Hebrew root for altar means “to slay” or “slaughter.” 

The altar was made of wood from the acacia tree and overlaid with bronze (usually symbolic of judgement on sin in the Bible), measuring 7.5 feet on all four sides and 4.5 feet deep. Four horns projected from the top four corners and a bronze grating was inside to hold the animal.

 

"Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them, "  Exodus 25:8.

                                       We also saw 2 films.  "Who are the Amish?"
                          and an introduction to the Amish & Mennonites People, their similarities and differences.

                     Most AMISH                                                        
Use horse-drawn carriages and farm machinery                            
Exclude telephones, radios & televisions from homes                    
Reject public utility electricity, (use gas appliances, batteries, generators)                                                               
Hold church worship services in homes of church members          
Complete formal education at the eighth grade                            
Wear uniformly plain style of clothing                                          
Help those in need, primarily within their own community            
                                                                                                     

                      Most MENNONITES
Drive cars
Use commercial electricity
Own telephones, radios, televisions, VCR's & computers
Worship in church buildings
Promote higher education
Wear contemporary clothing
Help those in need, both at home and around the world

We had plenty of time do some shopping after the tour and before our evening entertainment .  We all went our separate ways at the Tanger Outlet Malls.  Amanda can't even walk straight from the weight of her parcels! 

 In the evening we attended a dinner-theatre.  Beverly Lewis' The Confession Musical in the town of  Bird-In-Hand. An Amish Love Story. 

  

Smorgesborg dinner before theatre

Actors in the play and the author Beverly Lewis in front.

Four leading actors.
We thoroughly enjoyed the play.  Even all the men, even-though it was a musical....and a love story.
A great day.

   Wednesday Sept. 26, 2012

Another short neighborhood walk with Jennie.  Red hankies.  

Marcel and Jennie entering the Herr's Mill. Also on the campground.  

Back of the mill.  1738 Herr's Grist Mill and the 1844 Covered Bridge (longest in Lancaster County). Mill Bridge Campresort is home to these two registered historic landmarks.

In the early 18th century, Herr's Mill was an important neighborhood center. Not only was it a place to stop between trips, but it was also a place to purchase supplies and exchange news for locals and visitors alike. The Mill and the Village functioned throughout the 1800's and into the turn of the century. 1929 was the last year the Mill operated.

The Old Order Amish in Lancaster County can be identified by a grey horse-drawn carriage. 

After a short walk with Jennie and a look in the Herr's Mill, we decided to go on a steam train ride.  Unfortunately the ride was at noon, and the Jonah show at 1o'clock.  So we had to skip the train ride. 

But got some neat pictures. 

Lots of different buggies. 

     Jonah at Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre Lancaster, PA

                Sight & Sound creates spectacular entertainment based on the stories of the Bible.

Sight & Sound Theatre
Immy got us front row seats on the balcony.
Jennie (grey suit) walking down the steps beside our row.  Peter, Immy, Herman & Amanda can be seen.  This incredible theater seats 2000 and offers a larger-than-life experience that is just perfect for a show of this magnitude. With a 300 foot, wraparound stage,
 we enjoyed great views of the stage from our balcony seats. 
A magnificent stage production.   

The "Lion and the Lamb"

 Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre  
Delicious supper at Miller's and home to make plans for the following day. 
Having a great time in Amish country. Super busy. The shows " Jonah" and "Confession" were both amazing. Tomorrow, buggy ride, visiting 3 Amish farms and time to chat with an Amish family in their living room. And a steam engine ride. Plus lots of eating and shopping. One more busy and full day, then home Thinking of our little Micah getting  adenoids surgery tomorrow. 
Love you Micah. A big hug from grandma and grandpa. 

Thur 27th

 Woke up to rain.  Change of plans.  
By 11 it stopped raining and the guys decided to go to a train museum
and dropped us off in the quaint town of Intercourse.
The term "intercourse" was commonly used to describe fellowship, social interaction and support.
Shopping at the Kitchen Kettle Village.
Very touristy, but cute.  Tourist buses made it quite busy. 

After a bit of shopping, we decided to go on a buggy ride.
Elsie, our tour guide and driver is putting oil on the hooves to prevent drying.

Josh & Woody.  Woody, has a mind of his own, as we found out on the drive.
The dark horse in the back is Woody.  

PA Amish men wear dark-colored suits, straight-cut coats with no lapels, broad-fall trousers, suspenders, solid-colored shirts, black socks and shoes, and black or straw broad-brimmed hats. Shirts fasten with conventional buttons; suit coats and vests fasten with hooks and eyes. Moustaches represent the army or military, that's why they shave them off.  Men grow beards after they are married, and never shave them off again. This man must have been married 100 yrs by the length of his beard. 

Amish women wear modest, solid-colored dresses, usually with long sleeves and a full skirt, a cape and apron. The clothing is fastened with straight pins or snaps. Hair is never cut and is worn in a bun on the back of the head, concealed by a prayer covering. Single women in their teens and twenties wear black prayer coverings for church services; a white covering is worn at most times by women of all ages. PA Amish women are not permitted to wear jewellery or printed fabrics.

In order to power tools for the cottage industry, farm equipment and some household appliances, the Amish in PA get creative, using air or hydraulic powered motors. This pressure can be used to operate larger household equipment like washers and sewing machines, but not smaller ones such as clothes dryers, toasters, blow dryers, microwaves, TVs, and doorbells. Bottled gas is used to operate major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and water heaters. Home freezers have been banned due to the fear that they would lead to other electric appliances. To light their homes and shops, the PA Amish utilize pressurized gas lanterns to mount on walls, hang from ceilings and attach to mobile carts.
Telephones are an interesting illustration of the way that Amish families incorporate technology into their lives.  Some of the buildings that resemble outhouses sitting near an Amish house or in a field are actually private Amish telephone booths. The use of the "community phone" or "phone shanty" was permitted beginning in the 1950s, when more Amish were forced to go into businesses and for emergency. This community phone building, which often resembles an outhouse, is typically built at the end of a farm lane and shared by several neighboring families. The objective of this concept was to allow access, but maintain distance. Hence, the phone is not in the house and the number is unlisted, to be used essentially for necessary outgoing calls, not socializing.

Stunning scenery of Amish farm country.  

A one room schoolhouse.
The Amish in Lancaster, PA build and maintain their own church-funded, one-room schoolhouses, where children study a curriculum that emphasizes basic skills - reading, writing, spelling, geography and practical math, plus both English and German. German is for their church services.  At home they speak the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. Each school houses an average of 30 students, which are within walking distance of their homes. Formal Amish education only lasts through the eighth grade.  Dick & Jane books are still used.  Non-certified teachers have only 8th grade education as well. 

Burley tobacco hung and cured in the barns...the only cash crop of the Amish. 

After the buggy ride, we wandered back to the main road to be picked up at 4ish by the guys.
And of course a little more shopping. 
The following train museum pictures were scoffed from Herman. 

         

Horse and Buggy parking lot. 

1883

Heisler #4  1918

The poor man's locomotive 1913

"John Bull" replica  1939

Model T Ford 

Whole village made from Lego

1902

At 5 o'clock we were booked for a 3 hour "Amish Country Tour".

Three stops:  On the Farm (visit an Amish farm at milking time)
                                      At Work  (talk with Amish craftsmen..home cottage industry)
       At Home  (visit with Amish in their home)

                                Marcel looking at an old buggy belonging to Jakob Ammann.
The Old Order Amish are direct descendants of the Mennonite Anabaptist, a group that formed during the Reformation in Germany and Switzerland. Founded by Jakob Ammann in the late 1600's, the Amish felt that the Mennonites were too casual in their religious observance.  Those who agreed with Ammann began to worship separately from the rest of the Mennonites and thereafter became known as Amish. In the 1720's, the first group of Amish immigrated to America seeking religious tolerance and good farm land. Today there are Amish settlements in at least 19 states and Canada.  Lancaster County has approximately 30,000 Amish, including those not yet baptised.  They are geographically divided into 184 or more church districts.  

Our first stop was the Amish farm at milking time. 

Didn't take Jennie long to find this kitty.  No shortage of cats at this farm. 

Children all help with the chores. 

Cow slurp on my arm.  The best.

Jennie getting brave with her (not needed!) finger

We all took turns feeding the young calf. 

The second calf was fed already, but wanted more.  

The farmer stepped in pretty fast. 

The PA Amish church placed a taboo on the bicycle in order to keep youth close to home. However, non-motorized scooters are viewed as a compromise between walking and the bicycle, and many youth ride them to school.

Smucker's Gourd Farm was our second stop. 

Mary did a superb job telling and showing us their business.  

Frieda and Mary.  Age 8 & 13. 
When girls turn 16 they get a sewing machine and boys get a horse and buggy!!

Very sweet girls.  Six children in this family.  All girls.  

How the gourds get washed. 

Mary showing us the gourd she made. 

Frieda showing the one she painted at the age of 5.
The girls were smiling when I bought the ones they had made. 

 Bench Wagon or Church on Wheels. 
The benches are stored in the back where Herman is standing, and the chairs where Mary (Amish girl) is standing. 

Each Amish congregation is served by a bishop, two ministers, and a deacon -- all male. There is no central Amish church. Worship services are held in community members' homes where walls are designed to be moved aside for large gatherings. They worship in a different home each week.  About 150 members in this congregation. The Amish practice adult baptism, at the age of 16 usually rather than infant baptism, believing that only adults can make informed decisions about their own salvation and commitment to the church.

Another Amish one room school.  Teachers make $1 per day per student. Just like other citizens, they pay all taxes, with the exception of social security. The PA Amish pride themselves on being self-sufficient and do not collect social security benefits, unemployment or welfare checks.  They look after each other and their own community.  

Third stop:   Visit with an Amish family.  The parents did not want their pictures taken.
Behind  Peter and Immy is a wall that can be taken out for their church services.  

We were in the home of John and Sylvia Lantz.  To visit in person, and actually sit down with an Amish family in their home was a truly amazing experience.  We were allowed to ask them anything we wanted.  To hear them share their life was awesome.  An opportunity to meet a family willing to share their traditions and beliefs.  Wow.  They said "The outside world is referred to as "English" (anyone non-Amish) no matter who they are or where they are from".  We heard them refer to "the English"  several times while we were there.  Got a chuckle from that. 

While owning a car is not permitted, being a passenger is no compromise to the beliefs of the PA Amish. Accepting rides from neighbors or hiring a driver is a way for the Amish to use cars as a means of transportation to social functions on the outskirts of the settlement,
but not disrupt the Amish culture or social structure.
Amish businessmen often have agreements with non-Amish persons to drive them to work.  As did John Lantz the owner of this home. 

Sewing and work room. 

Candles and battery operated lights.
Girls get their caps when they turn 13.  

The Lantz home.

Our last night at the campsite.
Friday Sept 28th
Next morning we all left at 7 sharp.  On route we stopped at Tim Horton's to get a coffee and snack.
We put all our pennies together to get 2 coffees and 1 donut.  Didn't want to have leftover US funds.
Here, we left Peter, Immy and Jennie behind, they wanted to stop for brunch.  We had a quick bite in the motor home.  Just before 3, we needed a stop for some food,  after which  I snuggled in my bed and missed all the excitement.  They had to stop at 3 toll booths.  This time all the leftover money was used. Zilch was left. Fourth toll took Canadian money.  Phew.
A quick stop at the duty free.  I bought a bottle of gold liqueur.  Haven't had or seen it in years.  Then spotted  Nina Ricci "L'Air du Temps" cologne.  My all-time favorite.  Only $16. minus 20% with a CAA card.  Herman offered to pay for me since my card was in the motor home.  Back on the road, Herman told me what I owed him.  $61. minus 20% is $48.80.  I read it upside down.  Could happen to anyone.
And the fun continues!!   We were home at 6:30.
An absolutely fantastic trip.