Seeking Quilts & Covered Bridges

Lancaster: 26^th September

Our hotel overlooked a green and thriving farm, so we were awe-struck from the first to see a buggy passing by.  And another on our way out to dinner.  It is indeed an incredible relationship between a culture that rejects the modern world and the frenzy of the commercial world that has grown up around them because of their beliefs.

Aside from sightseeing, Mrs M & I realised this was our opportunity to shop (just a little).  So, armed with a large map and our TTD (things-to-do list), we marked off a route for our chauffeur (now known as Cap’n Martini.  And not because he likes to live life dangerously!) that might cover some of those choices.  Simplistically, that list (not in priority order and specific to our timetable) and our chosen venues were:

• Market:  Bird-in-Hand Farmers’ Market
• Roadside Stall: Bird-in-Hand Bakery (Route 340) or Countryside Road Stand (Stumptown Rd – no time left to stop at this one)
• Visitor Information Centre: Ran out of time for this; bought books about Amish and Mennonite culture to enlighten us instead.
• Covered Bridge or two: Willow’s Hill (Witmer Rd) and Hunsecker’s Mill (Hunsecker Rd) or a an itinerary with lots more.
• Quilt Shop or several: Old Country Quilt Store (only made this one)
• Quilt/Textile Museum: Sadly, both Lancaster Museums had closed. It would be interesting to know where those collections are now held.
• Selection of Shops: Kitchen Kettle Village, and
• Scenic Vistas: There were plenty of self-drive options but we went for a quick spin on a zig-zag route between Routes 340 and 23.

We found local roads quite narrow with few places to pull over.  Stopping at covered bridges was difficult too; Willow Mill we think, had been relocated?  The country-side is fantastically lush and the farms just so pristine.  We tried not to bother people and took photos of landscapes, farms and machinery from a distance.  Produce in the market was fresh and it was nice to browse, observe locals working at ease and see some lovely home-made items.  

It was a challenge to resist whoopie pie (and other delectables) at the bakery though the quilt block house templates were rather attractive but too big for already over-weight, over-stuffed suitcases.  We took a pleasant lunch break at the Corner Coffee Shop, admiring fine furniture (I’m now thinking shipping containers) before hitting the Old Country Store (a spectacular quilt shop) then finishing up with a quick sprint through Kitchen Kettle Village.  

Our final offering though, is that it is quite possible to enjoy the Amish experience without having spent a fortune, getting in their way or feeling that we were in an Entertainment Heartland – oh wait, we were!  And best of all, both Mr M & our trusty driver survived the whole "site seeing and shopping ordeal" with humour in tact.  

Naturally, Mrs M & I had NO trouble filling our day (and the boot of our car).  The next day however, was “long-drive-home day”, 10 hours no less, and the Cap’n needed his martini to help him relax in preparation.  So it was, we were up and off bright and early in the morning fog, following our trusty aged Garmin, heading for Front Royal, VA and the start of the Skyline Drive.

We sourced our information from D&K's USA Guide Book, Trip Adviser, Discover Lancaster website; and spent a lot of time online researching…