A Day in Paradise...

Paradise, Pennsylvania that is! Talk about a whirlwind trip--what is the purpose? You
will see at the end of this blog post, but don't look just yet. On Sunday, August 1st Katie and I began our trip at 6:00 am. The 10 1/2 hour trip took 12 as we made a detour to Antietam National Park. We arrived in Paradise (Amish Country) at the Beiler's a little before 6:00 pm.

Our reservation was for two nights in the Garden Room and we selected the "Off the Beaten Path" package. A good nights rest, a lovely breakfast and Q&A time with our hostess, and then off we went with a wonderful map that took us around parts of Lancaster County. What a treat for us!! The pictures below don't quite do this wonderful place justice.

The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes were something to behold. We tasted Amish made soft pretzels at one farm, a homemade whoopie pie at another and homemade root beer. Reminded me of those little root beer barrel candies. We purchased a peach pie, rocky road fudge, a sampler box containing apple strusel, a sticky bun, shoefly pie and chocolate shoefly pie, and a chocolate whoopie pie, homemade potato chips and a little cinnamon wrap with cream cheese inside. Somehow these items made it home to share with Rothey and Lauren.

Beautiful farm land...corn as far as the eye could see as well as tobacco and alfalfa being cut.

I definitely think I would like to live near these hard working, family oriented families.

Martin houses abound on these meticulously cared for farms as well as flowers, laundry on lines so high, Belgian horses or mules, a few sheep, and chickens in the yard.

We visited many farm stores on our tour. Each place had amazing handcrafts and food.

This was my favorite farm! It's barn is below.

Of course I couldn't leave without purchases that would remind me of this amazing part of our USA...

We found these precious Amish dolls that go nicely on one of my "sheep" shelves.

This sign was in the "bargain barn" at one home. (Made in China, I believe.)

The quilts were outstanding and one day I would love to own one. Until then...I purchased a framed quilt block. Above it is a swag made by a lady in her home's shop. She had beautiful wreaths! Yes, we will go back. Hopefully soon!!

So, why this trip for only one day? Well, it was on the way (sort of) to pick up a Shetland ram lamb of course!!

Introducing...Mapleton Thunder!!!!

On Tuesday morning at 6:00, Katie and I began our journey to Judi's house from Ewe Can Do It. We had to drive about and hour and forty-five minutes. Judi graciously brought Thunder back to her house from Kara's in New York the day before. After picking him up we had another 11 1/2 hours to drive back to NC. Thunder was a terrific passenger. Everytime we started he would plop down in his crate in the back of Katie's truck. If we stopped, he would hop up. He drank water out of a McDonald's cup. Katie was asked if he was our pet at one rest area.

Our trip started at 6 am and ended at 8:30 pm!! Thank the Lord we made it home safely in a total of 14 1/2 hours. Whew!! What a trip...it was all well worth it!