Saturday, June 14, 2014

New York ~ Lyndhurst, Tarrytown

MUSAP can see the big mansion in the background

I decided I should look for a stopping place on my drive home from Pennsylvania so I wouldn’t be driving for over six hours. I found Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, New York not far from the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst is a grand old estate with 67 acres of grounds and many walking trails. There is a mansion that looks like it’s a castle next to the Hudson River. It was built in the early 1800’s and was donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1961. There was a Relay for Life Event that was ending when I got there so it was busier than it probably is on a regular day.

castle-like mansion

I found a place to park away from the walkers and I wandered with my cameras. I went all around the mansion and then down around the building they call the Bowling Alley. There are usually tours available of the buildings, but I think the Relay Walk changed that on the day that I was there.

sculpture on the grounds

There is a lovely paved trail called Riverwalk. It was quiet and peaceful. Hopefully it is a safe as it seemed. I didn’t see too many other people while I was along the trail.

along the Riverwalk


Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge


visited 04/13/14

Friday, June 13, 2014

Pennsylvania ~ Lancaster County

MUSAP checking out Amish horse & buggy

MUSAP’s adventure in Pennsylvania was in Lancaster County which is the heart of Amish country. I went to Intercourse, PA. For the record the name came from the intersection of main roads in the area. A nearby town has the fun name of Bird in Hand, I just drove through that one. Intercourse is a hub of Amish culture and highly dependent on tourism.


Lancaster County farmland

I parked at Kitchen Kettle Village. It’s a commercialized area with many little shops and restaurants. Some have Amish crafts, many do not. I went there to take an Amish buggy ride. As I was driving to get the I passed several other places with signs out for buggy rides so there are options.

Kitchen Kettle Village

AAA Buggy Rides had good reviews in Trip Advisor and there was a coupon on their web page so I decided to use them. When I got there the man at the registration stand in the parking lot said they had a covered bridge tour going out in half an hour. I was hesitant so he asked which tour I wanted. I wanted the farm tour so he said I could do that in an hour. Clearly they schedule things flexibly!

Sam at AAA Buggy Rides
I wandered around the village for the hour. There was a fudge shop where you could watch them making the fudge. In the Jam and Relish Kitchen you can see the Amish ladies working hard making and jarring many varieties and jams, jellies, and relishes. There is also a bakery. There were busloads of people visiting - both school groups and senior citizen groups.

family fun in the bakery

After an hour I went back for my buggy ride. No one else had signed up and I was wondering if he would cancel my tour. But he said, ‘Guess you're the only person so you can get on and we can get going.’

Amish horse & buggy

So off we went with the horses clip-clopping down the road. Sam was my driver. The horses were Flicka and Sheila. It’s pretty amazing that the horses ignore all the passing traffic. It was interesting to see how many different styles of buggies are in the area - hadn’t really thought about that before.

loved the sound of their hooves clip clopping
Sam wasn’t much of a tour guide, but he was happy to answer questions and pointed out a few things along our journey.We stopped and visited a farm where they get by with no electricity. I got to see their cows in the milking barn and horse & mule barn. They has gas lamps and they use diesel generators for power.

gas light

After looking around the farm I went to  see their Quilt Shop. It was much better than shops back in the Village. There were racks and piles of beautiful hand sewn quilts, throws, placemats, runners, and more. I bought a throw with an Autumn Leaf pattern.

dairy farm


quilt shop

My plan for that evening was seeing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster. This was the actual inspiration for the 5 state + DC adventure. Megan Godin, a UNH theater/dance alum, was in the show. I enjoy musical theater and it’s always fun knowing someone in the show so I decided to make the trip.

this show is what inspired this adventure

It’s a nice little theater. Dinner is buffet style, nothing fancy but I don’t require much when it comes to meals. I was at a table for 4 with a couple who were celebrating their anniversary and enjoying a weekend in the area. I tried to talk with them, but the conversation kept lagging. At least they enjoyed the show.

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The show was high energy from start to finish. I really enjoyed the dancing. Megan was one of the brides and the audience loved her as Alice. A reviewer like her too. When I talked with her after the show she told me she’ll be staying at the end of this run to join their cast for Shrek.

Megan was happt to pose with MUSAP

I enjoy taking tours when I am traveling parts of the country that are new to me. I also enjoy tours that are a little different. I discovered Strasburg Scooter Tour and it was delightful. If you are in the Lancaster area and the weather is nice ~ give this tour a try! Motorscooters are pretty easy to ride and the roads don’t have too much traffic.

MUSAP at a covered bridge

We started with some scooter training in the parking lot with our guide, John. When he was satisfied that we were all comfortable riding off we went for three hours. It was a nice time of year to visit. There were many farms along the way. The farmers were plowing their fields using plows pulled by teams of mules.

mule teams used for spring plowing

It was great touring with a guide because John knows his way around the back roads and countryside. If I had gone in my car by myself I would have spent more time figuring out which way to turn and less time enjoying the scenery.

seen from the scooter tour, so many different styles of buggies

We only saw 2 covered bridges, which surprised me because it's called the "Covered Bridge Tour" but we stopped at a working Amish Farm that wasn't in the description so I was okay with the lack of bridges. Their web page has a Meet Our Guides section with fun write ups ~ these guys clearly enjoy their work.

laundry on the line


me enjoying my scooter tour

When I was driving to my next motel I saw another covered bridge after my tour and stopped to take a few more photos.

Willows Covered Bridge
visited 04/11/14 and 04/12/14

I loved being back on two wheels! When I got home I bought myself a motorscooter! Working with the dealer was an absolute nightmare… but I am happy with my new toy.


my new (used) motorscooter

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Maryland ~ Rose Hill Manor, Frederick

MUSAP and I don't like seeing rain


My original plans for Maryland fell through when I awoke to a rainy day. The good news was the fact that I was meeting my cousin Deanie for lunch and my open schedule allowed us to sit and get caught up for several hours at Tark's Grill, a lovely restaurant near her home in Hunt Valley.


historic marker


Because my adventure was taking me on a loop (sort of) I had the opportunity to revisit Maryland a few days later as I drove from Virginia to Pennsylvania. A quick search the night before led me to discover Rose Hill Manor in  Frederick, Maryland.


Rose Hill Manor as seen from the garden


Rose Hill Manor in Frederick is a hands on museum showing how the life would have been in the 19th century. They are visited by lots of school groups and there were lots of 4th graders touring when I was there.


kitchen fireplace ~ in use for making popcorn for the visiting 4th graders


I enjoyed the fact that they have designed the rooms in the house with children and education in mind. They encourage children of all ages to touch, explore, and discover. I was able to tour the manor house by myself - there are lots of informational signs.


Ice House
Then I had a private tour (because I was the only visitor) of the outbuildings with Pat who is one of their wonderful, enthusiastic docents. She took me into the log cabin, carriage house, blacksmith shop, and ice house. I learned a lot at each of the stops on this lovely little walking tour.


in the Log Cabin


It’s a quick stop, but would be worth it if you were traveling with children.


Carriage Museum




MUSAP at the Log Cabin


visited 04/10/14

Virginia ~ Manassas and Oakhill

MUSAP at Manassas National Battlefield

So many possibilities of things to do and see in Virginia. I didn’t feel 100% after a busy day in Washington the day before so I took my time getting out the door.

homestead

Because it was nearby I decided to go to the Manassas National Battlefield Site. It’s a huge park with many options. I watched their movie to get some background information about First Manassas which was the battle on July 21, 1861. It’s also known as the Battle of Bull Run. There was Second Manassas on August 28-30, 1862. I didn’t go to the part of the Park where Second Manassas took place.

family cemetery 

At First Manassas I walked the Henry Hill Trail. Such hallowed ground where there were almost 5000 casualties.

Civil War cannons


also known as Bull Run

After my historical photo walk I went  to see my friend Mark in Aldie, Virginia. Mark is Jon’s friend from circus time in Brattleboro and he came up to do the flowers for Jon & Meredith’s wedding last October. Jon and Darin live on an amazing old farm called Oak Hill Farm. It has a long history and was once the home of fifth president James Monroe.

Mark and Wyatt with MUSAP

Mark & I took their two dogs for a walk around the farm and I took some pix along the way. The farm has homes big and small, barns, many out buildings, and lots of woods and fields, Because we were busy talking and catching up I didn’t take that many pix. We went back to the house to meet up with Darin, drop off the dogs then head out for dinner in Leesburg. On the way out we drove through the farm (it’s hundreds of acres) - past even more of the buildings, some quite tumbled down, and fields where the farm grows corn, sod, and more. There are a couple of horses so we stopped so I could take a few more pix.

Oakhill Farm horse

Mark and Darin had obviously discussed where to take me for dinner knowing my limited pallette. We went to the Blue Ridge Grill and it was perfect. They both recommend the Brentwood Salad. I enjoyed a filet mignon.

Oakhill Farm barn

Because the farm was so amazing I invited myself to go back the next morning to take another photo walk. Mark was home trying to get lots of things done on his day off and before he & Darin go away for the weekend. We visited briefly and then I took a walk with my cameras. The sun was shining and it was a wonderful spring day.

Oakhill Farm outbuilding - check the chimney

One of the tumble down buildings close to their house has a resident vulture - a fun photo subject.

black vulture

Already thinking about a return trip to Oak Hill Farm to capture the changing seasons. After I got home I bought a biography of James Monroe.

signs of spring on the farm


waiting for the birds

visited 04/09/14 and 04/10/14