Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Amish Country Tour

I didn't expect to be back in this part of the country so soon, but John had a meeting to attend this week in Baltimore and Pennsylvania is just next door, so here I am.

Before we drove to the Amish Country today, we stopped for lunch at G&M Restaurant for their famous Maryland Crab Cakes. They are generous in size (about the size of a softball cut in half) and loaded with lots of crab meat. A definite splurge on my low fat, low cholesterol meal plan, but if you're going to blow it, you might as well go all the way. They were delicious! The best I've ever had.

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Leaving full and satisfied, we drove a couple of hours north to Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania, specifically to Labadie Looms.

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On our last visit, we arrived after closing and could only peek through the window and be teased by the little bit we could see. This time we saw it all. Inside were wheels, looms, hand-dyed yarns, hand spun yarns and some nice commercial yarns too, plus a room devoted to rug hooking.

The owner was very friendly and helpful. A couple of ladies were there weaving on looms and we got to see how that process works. Very interesting. We didn't leave with a loom, but bought some roving (for me), two bundles of poonis (for John) and a book about weaving (John's too).

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Then we quickly explored some of the other shops in the area. Most were tourist traps, but there were a few nice ones. If you are a quilter, this is your place.

Next we drove by some of the farms.

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The peach trees are loaded with fruit.

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And the corn is ready for picking in most fields.

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I wish I could have taken pictures of the Amish people, but it just seemed too intrusive. And for the most part, I don't think they want their picture taken. Sometimes it is allowed though, because there are postcards and framed pictures for sale in all the stores. Click here to view some wonderful photos of Amish life by photographer Bill Coleman.

6 comments:

  1. Be careful of those picture of the Amish...they are not happy to see a camera. It looks like the notheast has had plenty of rain too!

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  2. You are so sweet to be mindful of their wishes and lives. How wonderful to visit again and have some roving to spin, too!

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  3. We've been down there a few times and love it. It's an 8 hour drive from here, otherwise we would go more often. I love Bill Coleman's photography. I have his book "A Gift To Be Simple" and it's beautiful. I can't believe peaches and corn are ripe already!

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  4. Anonymous11:02 AM

    Beautiful pictures of the Amish countryside. I have always wanted to visit that area, and the Amish are such an inspiration for me. Work, family, community, and simplicity...

    Caroline, the SockPixie

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  5. That's right - they don't want their photo taken! Makes me wonder if it's real Amish in those framed pictures or someone dressed up to LOOK Amish. Hm!

    I'd love to visit Amish country but I would leave with way too many ideas of wanting to make quilts and build furniture that I better not. heh There are some Menonite communities around here (Yoder) where you can go shop and eat. Oh the things they must do with those peaches. YUM!!

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  6. I wish I had known that you were coming my way this week! I was visiting my parents, but I'm not too far from Baltimore! You'll have to let me know the next time you head in this direction! I'm glad that you had a good time!

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~Tracy

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