MORE PENNSYLVANIA

Monday must be laundry day! On our drive through the Amish country lot and lots of clothes were hung out on very long lines looked like  in  the front yards in some cases.

‘The Pennsylvania Amish of Lancaster County are America's oldest Amish settlement, where thousands still live a centuries-old "Plain" lifestyle. Arriving in PA Dutch Country allows you to step back in time to enjoy a slower, more peaceful pace – one where the horse & buggy remains a primary form of transportation, and where windmills dot the landscape, providing power harnessed from nature. Always a vital part of Lancaster County culture, the PA Amish are involved in agriculture as well as an array of businesses and cottage industries. 

We had a great Ranger led tour at Valley Forge. Fantastic history lesson. We  also enjoyed several short tales by very enthusiastic story tellers.

Valley Forge docent giving a talk and demonstration on the life of the military solider. The cabin above is replica which housed around nine.

Valley Forge was the winter encampment for Washington and his  Continental Army of 12,000 men in 1777. 

George Washington’s Valley Forge headquarter and living quarters. This was rented for $100 for the six months, a fair amount for that time. Martha Washington joined her husband, helping and caring for the wounded.

Traveling PA

Our new favorite beer! The Brewery founded in 1829 the oldest in America is located in Pottsville PA. Great old building, underneath are hand dug tunnels and storage. Very cool down there , felt so good as it was such a hot day the tour guide couldn’t take us into the brewing area. But we got to top it off with 2 cool ones in the bar.  

The Ephrata Cloister was founder in 1732 be Conrad Beissel a German who left his country to pursue his desire for a quiet home free from distractions allowing him his spiritual pilgrimage to join God in Heaven. He had 2 important issues, worship on Saturday and be celibate. By 1750 Ephrata numbered eighty celibate Brothers and Sisters know as the Solitary. And families known as Householders, numbering 200 who lived on nearby farms.

Meager diets, brief periods of rest, long hours of work and time for private meditation were embraced by the solitary in their quest to be received by God when he returned. They slept on a bench with a board for a head rest so as not to sleep deeply, awakening every few hours waiting to receive God.

Corning glass Museum

Corning Glass Museum was very interesting. Starts with the beginning of glass making to the current uses. Several rooms of historical glass wear. A full level dedicated to technological uses and demonstrations of glass. Plus much more. And of course a very very large gift store.

Catskill Mountains

We are staying at the edge of the NY Catskill Mtns. for a week. Woodstock being one of our day trips. Small tourist town with several hippie style stores. We did find out that the concert was actually held about 50 miles from here as the city would not give them a permit for the amount of people projected to attend. A good thing since it ended up being twice as large.

Got in a bike ride on a rail to trail path going thru a nice mountain town called New Paltz. Don’t know what I was thinking it was so hot & humid I was a bucket of sweat in no time. Couldn’t go very far AND boy was I happy to have our camper waiting in the parking lot. That SHOWER never felt so good!

NEW YORK CITY

  

We found an American Legion in NJ to leave our RV right across from the train station. Fantastic. We were so very fortunate to have a friend whose daughter lives in NYC and offered to let us stay over the  long holiday weekend while they were out of town! The building on the right with a fabulous view of the river. Within walking distance to Central Park, Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, & across the street from the Greenway path along the river. We loved stopping in the Deli’s picking out ready make food to take back, kick back and enjoy the view after a long day of sight seeing. Can not thank them enough. This was the highlight of of our east coast trip.

 

Freedom Tower

   We bought the NYC Explorer Pass. Used it for 2 days of Hop on/off bus, a cruise around lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, The Top of the Rock, the Museum of Natural History and a 2 hour guided bike tour through Central Park. We also visited the 911 World Trade Tower Memorial, which is not finished at this time so one is still walking around a lot of construction. I think it will be very nice when it’s finished.

Philly

 

We stayed in NJ taking a  less than 10 min. bus  ride to the PATCO train station for a 30 min. ride into Philly. We bought a half price Groupon for a Hop on and off bus tour. Great way to see everything. We went into the city three days in a row. Loved this city, easy to get around, clean, loads of history, great food. Independence Hall , constitution hall, Liberty Bell, Christ Church, and much much more.  

L

Loved walking down 9th ST called the Italian Market! Has everything, fish, meat, cheese, bakeries, fruit, vegies! We had to try the Famous Philly Steak sandwiches at Geno’s and Pats King of Steaks. Verdict- about the same. Lots of fun to try them but not out of this world sandwiches.

Great little China town, we had an inexpensive ,generous very delicious lunch.   

We spent one afternoon at the Constitution Center. They have a limited time exhibition called “1968” Whoa one almost forgets what an explosive year that was. Great center.

NEW JERSEY

    We enjoyed a 85 minute ferry ride from  Lewes Delaware to Cape May New Jersey. This town being our favorite beach town so far, no high risers and nothing built on the water side but  a long paved walkway high enough to view the ocean over the dunes. We discovered one must buy a pass to access the beaches in NJ. Of course there are yearly passes for the locals so not too costly. Cape May is full of charming houses and also a nice little shopping town about 2 blocks in from the shore different than the seaside food and gifts shops.

We have driven a ways along the southern NJ shore line and we are happy to note we have seen no aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Never having been here before we would not notice anything different except for the new sea grass on all the dunes and of course the fencing. We can not tell if the houses are rebuilt or not. They have done a wonderful job of repairing at least where we have been. The NJ shoreline is a lovely long white sand beach with relatively small waves.

note new grass planting in Atlantic City NJ

  Took the local bus from our campground to Atlantic City NJ. Well worth it and no parking hassles. The boardwalk is very long we didn’t even walk the entire length. It was also very hot even with a slight ocean breeze. Liked the amusement park on the Steel Pier, walking the boardwalk and were thrilled to see the sand sculptures tournament. They were fantastic! We also liked the water fountain show in the on the pier mall. We don’t gamble so no news on that front. The waiter told us the town has changed so much in recent years, now being very friendly (no attitude) and tourist/family oriented. At one time it wasn’t even safe. It certainly looks thriving now!