Raccoon Picnic and Appleby Hands

We packed a picnic and set off over the mountain with Alexander looking for some picnic tables we had seen advertised on the side of the road a week before. Two mountains later, two stops at Amish baked goods stalls and two water melons later we finally found the elusive picnic tables. Exhausted from our magical mystery tour we spotted a clearing at the side of the road that was perfect for our picnic. Alexander checked for poisoned ivy, I laid out the blanket and we wondered at the fact a raccoon had just run across our spot!

A rip to the library followed where Alexander found the tile hand print he had done about a year ago framed on the wall. Fame at last!

Blair's Mills Picnic

Determined to get on our bikes Sara and I cycled to Blair's Mills 14 miles from the farm, with the promise that the boys would pick us up in the truck. It was a hard ride through very pretty farm land and we saw some interesting road kill of a black and yellow snake. Alexander wanted to take it home in the back of the truck. As Sara and I were riding in the back of the truck the snake stayed on the road!

Had a lovely picnic by a stream relaxing, eating and generally feeling good about life!

Chambersburg

The guidebook said don't expect much from Chambersburg which I think does it a disservice. The residential and centre parts of the town are what I imagine Old American to be and really rather pretty. Right at the centre stands a fountain marking the spot where the Union troops stood and faced the Confederates marching on the town from the south. They had demanded a ransom in gold of the town which was not paid so the threat to burn the town was carried out. We stopped briefly and took photos and read the signs then carried on to Walmart!!! Now there's another experience!

Turkeys, Turtles and Muskrats.

The rain of the last few days has kept us indoors for most of the time but the wildlife has been out and about. New additions to my list of animals seen include a flock of wild turkeys, several adult and 5 or 6 babies, crossing the drive in the early morning to get to the soya bean field. Too far away for a photo but quite a sight nevertheless.

Down at the stream while feeding the fish garlic naan bread (!) saw a turtle the size of a dinner plate and what I thought was a swimming groundhog. That's the last thing James needs, for his most favourite animal (heavy sarcasm here) to be colonising the stream as well as the vegetable patch. However on further investigation this swimming mammal turned out to be a muskrat, picture above.

The hummingbirds come regularly to the feeders,trees and flowers around the porch and deck which is an amazing sight to see. The first you know of them is the hum of their wings, rather like the sound of a very angry wasp but much louder. Then they hover like little helicopters feeding from the flowers. Have noticed that they are very territorial and we often see them fighting each other off, though there is plenty of food to go round.

Congratulations A Level Results

We've got such clever friends and family! Jess and Adam have got the grades they wanted to go to university after lots of hard work. Congratulations to both of them from both of us!

Hershey Chocolate Factory

Tuesday saw us firing up the jeep and hitting the Pennsylvanian highway all the way to Hershey. The roads leading into the town are actually a chocolate brown colour so you can't go wrong! Here Milton Hershey built his factory and a town for his workers similar to the Cadbury brothers. A Mennonite he believed that it was important to take care of his staff and the whole town was designed around their work and leisure needs.

We took a chocolate tasting class which I would highly recommend you try with Cadbury chocolate not Hershey! Really don't like the taste, especially the milk chocolate. Despite this still managed to spend a small fortune in the gift shop. How can that be?

Caught up in the Civil War!

One reason for taking the particular train that we took was that we stopped halfway along the line to watch the re-enactment of a Civil War Battle.

The first move was made by the Confederates who were in the weaker position at the bottom of the hill. Three cannon blasts and a lot of smoke later the Unionists returned fire and started quite soon to advance down the hill. Rifle fire followed and then as the troops came close, hand to hand fighting. Plenty of gun powder and flag waving added to the sense of occasion and the Priest was seen administering the Last Rites to several Confederates who had fallen. Victory to the Unionists in blue! The band started up again in the train to celebrate.

Peace restored, well the band were still playing, we carried along the track only to be held up by rogue soldiers in the trees. There were several shots fired, quite a bit of shouting and the train managed to pull away in a cloud of steam. Felt like a close call though!

East Broad Top Railway

Outnumbered, three boys to one girl, we spent the afternoon on the East Broad Top Steam Engine with the concession to girlishness of travel in the first class carriage. No soot in my eye this time!

Founded in 1856, the East Broad Top Railway began as one of the many narrow gauge railways carrying ore, lumber, coal and passengers. Old number 12 and her 5 sisters puffed and snorted between Mount Union and Woodvale for several decades,but by 1956, the EBT was the last operating narrow gauge steam line east of the Rocky Mountains. The Railroad was forced to shut down that same year due to slumping coal demand and competition from roadways. That's when the railway was preserved for future generations by the Kovalchick family. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964the EBT is also the most complete historic railroad site in North America.

Alexander enjoyed the ride, as did we all, travelling in the comfort of First Class! There was a little bit of action along the way with an unexpected hold up!

Mount Union and Miller's Restaurant

As part of a week long celebration of James' birthday we drove to Mount Union on Saturday to go out for lunch with his Mum, Betty. Mount Union used to be a thriving industrial town with many productive brick works. Now it is a residential town with the Appleby pharmacy relocated away from the original building which James' Mum used to own and run.

Miller's Restaurant has an interesting story. Situated by the railroad back in the fifties the train stopped at the restaurant for the driver to have lunch, such was the reputation of the food. However they forgot that day that the train was six carriages longer than usual,extra freight coaches had been added, and the train blocked the local highway where it crossed the road without the driver knowing. One huge backlog of traffic later and a hurried message to the restaurant the train driver quickly finished his lunch, jumped on the train and all was eventually restored to normal. Needless to say we parked considerately enjoyed waffles, chicken and gravy (well James did!) and returned safely home.

The Kindness of Strangers

At the Sunny Ridge Restaurant we were surprised to learn that our bill for Sunday lunch had been paid for by a table of four who were having lunch at the same time. One of the men, Denny, came over,introduced himself and said it just seemed like the right thing to do. What kindness and thoughtfulness to two total strangers. Thank you.

Tractor Pull

Sherwin invited us to the local tractor pull where he was competing in the farm stock class. Not knowing exactly what to expect we got all the details, dress code, (hot pants and cowboy boots) and headed off to the venue.

Never quite been to anything like this and properly never will again until our lungs clear from the fumes and smoke. Basically you have a long dirt track, men and their tractors, (vintage, farm, new, trucks and mini rods)and great big heavy sleds that they have to haul as far as they can down the track. The noise is immense, the smoke black and the excitement enormous. Think I could really get into this, especially following the little mini hot rods which belted down the track and came to a screaming halt just in front of the officials. The furthest you can drag the sled the better position you have. Unfortunately on his first run Sherwin had a pump problem and couldn't fix it so came 5th in a class of seven. Can't repeat what he said but along the lines of, "stuff happens!"

Sherwin had saved us front row spaces for our garden chairs hence the very worried look on my face in the photo as we were right by the track at the 275 foot mark where many of the tractors came to a halt, some veering to the right and left in the process.

Farm Transport

Mark has wheels and I think he's rather enjoying it! The idea is that I will cycle along the country lanes enjoying the peace and quiet and serenity of the area and Mark will burn up behind me on the four wheeler to encourage me to keep going. After the marathon ride last week haven't taken him up on this offer yet but we took a sedate ride round the vegetable patch the day before yesterday and down to the stream to feed the fish. Was amazed to see turtles in the stream, but they were very timid and soon disappeared under the bank and couldn't be persuaded out with crumbs of bread.

To Weed or not To Weed?

The farm vegetable patch is is full flow and the tomatoes are really starting to build up in the salad bowl. With just two of us here at the moment am not quite sure if we are going to keep up with the supply and am looking for ways to preserve cherry tomatoes for eating later. Every other morning we also have a cup of fresh raspberries for breakfast. What a treat!

It's become a tradition that each time I'm here I weed the vegetable patch trying to tame it into an English plot rather than a farm patch! I started today round by the tomatoes, peppers and basil and soon had a patch of clear ground. If I keep going I will uncover some strawberries and asparagus. This is proper allotment gardening and not the tame raised bed variety that I now have at home! Oh the joy of getting filthy dirty, bitten by mosquitoes and having an aching back after an hour doing battle with the weeds!

The Path Valley Restaurant

Over the mountain, (it's high enough to make your ears pop), is the Path Valley Family Restaurant. To lend it an air of French sophistication it is known between us as the "Pathe Valet" (pronounce it with a heavy French accent). As you eat crab cakes at Eastern market when going to the Path Valley you make sure that you don't eat lunch and then order the Black Diamond steak. That's exactly what Mark did and thoroughly enjoyed. I ordered lasagna and was automatically given a box to take home what I couldn't eat. The leftovers are enough for two of us for supper!

US Citizens at last.

It is official, we are now US citizens. As the proud owners of Fulton County Library cards and a supermarket discount card we are now officially locals, if only we could shake off the funny accent!

Cowen's Gap

Cowen's Gap is a lake set in a State Park about 11 miles from the farm. We had the bright idea that it would be fun to cycle there, even though it was mostly uphill, meet the boys, have lunch and a swim then throw our bikes in the back of the truck and hitch a lift home. The ride was hard work but my new improved bike, courtesy of Sherwin, got me there in one piece although a little wobbly in the legs. 11 miles is a long way but with the thought of a hamburger and fries at the end of it perfectly do-able!

The boys were late, we didn't know why until they turned up in the car not the truck as the fan belt had gone as they left the farm. The truth dawned and no amount of hamburgers would make up for the fact we were going to have to cycle back! The 22 mile journey was only my second time out on the bike. It's still hard to sit down without wincing but I am proud to say I only had to get off twice to push.

We will be going back, the beach is beautiful but I'm driving next time!

Fishing and Frogs!

Never have enjoyed fishing or touching wet animals before but who can resist wading in a stream with a child who is expert at catching crayfish, or craw daddies in this strange version of English! Our bucket was soon full of the crayfish, minnows and our prize catch, a frog. Well I say "our", my net seemed to have the most enormous hole in it that no-one else could see so that everything I caught escaped.

Heeding warnings of snappy turtles and bear prints found recently in the muddy bank we stayed in the shallows and an hour and a half later returned to the farm. We released our catch before we left but I am sure Mark has ideas of sending me back down to catch crayfish for the grill one night!

The Appleby Homestead!

Sara, Alexander and I arrived at the farm after an incredibly long journey of which most of the time was spent trying to leave the boundaries of Washington DC. Eventually we hit clear road and the highway gave way to familiar country roads, farmhouses, red barns and beautiful Pennsylvanian countryside. James and Mark followed later but hit the same traffic and had an equally long journey. However I still maintain that they had the more comfortable journey as they weren't accompanied by Potato and Chip, two extremely small rodents that despite their size created an enormous stink!

The farm looked just as it always does, white clapboard and a green tin roof nestling into the valley and surrounding fields. Farm time kicked in, the stress of the journey over and we settled down to wait for the boys!