This is part of the country we really like. It feels small – small towns, narrow country roads, everything feels close to the side of the road. Lots packed into small spaces! And it feels old. From the sense that you’re looking at history (stagecoach inns and cemeteries of old) to the evidence of what was the early days of America you sense that there is lots to learn from simply being there.

The presence of the Amish gives you that sense too. With their simple lives and lack of electricity, they are very successful farmers and business people. What you see IS the work of their hands.

One of the things we enjoy is visiting all the little shops – Wendy especially likes the fabric shops which are replete across the area. And the prices are so much less than at home I encourage her to pick up what she wants so that she’s got some good projects when the weather encourages us to stay inside!

These shops are often set in a very rural context and while Wendy is off looking at fabric I wander off to take some pictures. These two seemed really excited to see me and came running to the fence as I approached.

Farming is of course central to the Amish life and it appears very attractive from the outside though I am sure it is lots and lots of hard work.

Along with quilt shops and agriculture we also had some great food! To keep to a theme of course here’s peach pie and chocolate ice cream! One of my great favourites!

A great treat for us was to meet up with Catherine (yes I call her Catherine) and Laura also referred to as LV. We met up with them for supper – nothing fancy – but great to have a bit of time together. We didn’t know what we would overlap time in Lancaster, so it was great to connect before we drove off towards the west!

One of the shops we visited was a furniture shop – the Amish are well known for their furniture. This was a spectacular shop and I could have stayed there a long time.

There is so much to see in this part of the USA we always enjoy being around and the weather was so lovely and warm!