Last year I was able to cross off an important entry to my "Bucket List." It was the dream of visiting Amish Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and going on a buggy ride. The vision of such a journey had been with me for a decade or more.
A lull in family activities and business presented a perfect opportunity for me to jump on a plane, fly to Philadelphia, rent a car and make the drive out to where I could fulfill this dream.
I rose early on a Monday morning, drove from my hotel in Lancaster City, out to the Amish farm country, a few miles away. It wasn't long as I traveled along the road that I saw a little wooden sign that simply said, "Abe's Buggy Rides" nailed to a tree in front of a delightful looking house in the village of "Bird In Hand".
Hansie was the most delightful Amish buggy driver I could have hired that day. About half way through the ride, I asked him if it was ok to take his picture. Many Amish won't allow it. He appeared slightly hesitant, but then quickly agreed, while admonishing that should we approach other Amish, I should always ask to take their picture first.
During the ride, he seemed as curious about me, as I was about him, his family, his way of life. He could not believe I traveled alone, all the way from California to take a buggy ride. "Where are you from," he asked. When I responded, California, I quickly learned that he meant my ethnicity. I explained that my people were in this country in the early 1600s, and were Dutch. . .and hesitantly, I told him English too! The Amish are very distrusting of the English - but all "outsiders" are considered the English!
I don't really know how to explain to outsiders that in Lancaster County, there are curious names for their townships; "Bird In Hand" - "Intercourse" - "Virgintown" and "Blue Ball" . . . but I don't judge:-)
It was beautiful springtime weather, and even Daffy, the horse was enjoying the day! As we passed beneath the bridge, her steps made delightful music, which echoed from the walls.
I will easily remember that it was a Monday, because Monday is washday in Amish country, and lines of freshly hung laundry blew colorfully in the breeze as a testament to the day's work and accomplishment. When you dwell in a place that has a day of the week for all life's tasks - who would need calendars.
We stopped at a few Amish farms along the way. Nearly all have one cottage industry or another - Quilts, root beer, cheese, furniture, crafts, and one larger farm that had a large fence making enterprise going on.
Although many Amish don't have electrical power in their homes, they may tolerate it in their shops. I was fascinated riding down the roads, seeing power poles at the road, with no lines being connected to the houses along the way. Pennsylvania Power and Light must have a visceral disdain of those folks:-)
In the Amish village at Bird-In-Hand, they have restored the area. And the local Amish crafters and furniture builders, have furnished it. Note the price tags on the various pieces. So, once again the Amish use a simple solution of combining a museum and cottage industry together, allowing the community to flourish a bit with the talents they are so recognized for.
Near the end of the ride, Hansie asked, "Well is it everything you expected?" "No," I replied. . ."I can honestly say that it isn't - it's FAR more."
Hi Myrl:
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Hi Myrl!
Well, I do want to create a bucket list, and when I do, I am pretty sure I will add Lancaster to my list...it looks absolutely serene!