In early May I made a trip to Amish Country in Lancaster County, PA. And took a long buggy ride through the countryside. It was the fulfilment of a longtime dream. There was so much I learned about living the "simple life" that was interesting to ponder. For starters, consider this. We pay more than $4.00 a gallon for gas. But Daffy (the horse) only eats a little grain, and hay:-)
It was a long long way from California.
Nice Myrl...we've been to the Amish settlement near St. Joseph MO or KS, can't remember which. It was nice to see life could be lived so simplely. My ancesters on my mother's side were PA Amish...would love to get back there.
Myrl, I wonder how it would be to take clients around in a horse drawn buggy.
Danny - I suspect it would be be delightful, but imagine how long it may take to do a tour of 4 or 5 houses. However, I am reminded a helicoptor trip I took to Catalina Island here in California a number of years ago. There was a Realtor on board with a client, and the extra time on flight, provided a delightful time to talk about the transaction they were trying to put together.
Mary - This was my first visit to any of the Amish settlements. I'm certain now, it won't be my last! It was simply delightful!
One of my friends owns a few horses and I was shocked how much it costs to keep them going. My high end vehicle is much cheaper to operate! The Amish must get free hay.
Robert - Yes, I can imagine that if they had to buy hay and grain, then keeping horses would be on a par with filling up an SUV. However, the Amish appear to be really self sustaining. They grow their own food, hay, and supplies, and barter amongst themselves. Manyl seem to have a cottage industry of one kind or another - in addition to the production of the farm itself. I noted one farm is making rootbeer. Some are potters. Another had a furniture making operation in the barn. And still another was using the barn to make vinyl fencing. And of course the quilts they are so famous for. They were all so very resourceful!
It blew me away to go for mile after mie, seeing power lines running along the road - with none of them connected to houses. Pennsylvania Power & Light must have a visceral disdain for those folks!
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