We woke before 5 am this morning and quickly finished packing for Lynn to drop us at the station by about 5:45am. There was very little traffic so we made good time and after ensuring we had the answers to all our questions Lynn bade us farewell and went off to work very early.
As the train pulled in dawn was absolutely magnificent and pink. It was magic to watch the sunrise over fields covered in low fog and all dewy. I saw one flock of wild turkeys in one field we passed.
A two hour trip to Montreal, a reasonably short wait in another queue and difficulty handling our bags off and on trains saw us on the Amtrak train headed south to Albany (our stop) then New York City.
Customs officers boarded at Rouses Point and we had a long wait while they processed all our documentation, had all the foreigners fill out another form, pay $6 then stamp our passports.
It was interesting travelling south along Lake Champlain in New York state because Surrey and I had driven up that way last time we were here and seen it in spring from the road.
We arrived into Albany a little late and a lot exhausted. Barre and Marion were there to greet us. We then drove east over the mountains to North Adams and had dinner at the Boston Seafood restaurant. It was a huge meal even though Elaine and I shared one meal between us.
After dinner we drove home and collapsed after a long and tiring day.
Saturday 24 September – Adams
Both Elaine and I woke at 6:30 am quite independently after a good night's sleep. We had a slow start to the day with coffee with Barre then breakfast when Marion got up.
Today we both opted for a slow day but had a nice walk in the beautiful fall colours along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail with Marion in the morning. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/asrt.htm
There was lots of research about where to go for our Amish trip for the next few days and lots of talk about where we'd been so far.
After lunch Marion took Elaine on a quick tour of Adams but then we downloaded pics, updated the blog and caught up on emails. Of course there was also lots of quilting talk and some show and tell opportunities.
It was just great to feel so at home and relaxed before we begin more adventures.
Sunday 25 September – Our Amish Experience #1
One place Surrey had always wanted to take me since he visited in 1983 was the Amish country in Pennsylvania. To fulfil that dream I asked Barre when arranging this visit if he could take us down there. Hence our Amish Experience.
Up for a quick breakfast, leaving the house for our tour earlier than planned. Barre drove us via some scenic roads skirting Pittsfield till we joined Route 9 then the Taconic Throughway. The leaves are all still green this far south.
We had a quick stop at West Taghkanic where police and others were out in full managing traffic for the bike leg of a triathlon. We continued south to join Route 84. At Fishkill we stopped for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. http://www.crackerbarrel.com/ What an experience! We had to walk through a gift shop full of junk while we waited for a table in a very noisy cafe. Some people actually waited in rocking chairs on the porch. However, the food was excellent but of course far too much as usual.
Then on to join the 87 and 287 passing within sight of New York city (except for the big stone walls along the road). We then headed west on 78 and southwest on 222, eventually finding our motel, the Days Inn, with the help of our very useful GPS lady and 6 hours of driving.
After dumping our things we drove around the area a bit just for a look. There were lots of Amish in covered and uncovered buggies drawn by beautiful horses. I guess they were all heading to or from church. Others were walking and one girl even pushing an Amish 'scooter'. They were all dressed in traditional outfits and looked amazing.
Even more amazing were the farms and animals we saw as we drove along some more minor roads – horses, mules (Surrey was very impressed with the mules when he visited the area), cows, chooks (free ranging even near the roads). It's the sort of place that driving at 40 kph would seem too fast.
We then headed for Miller's http://www.millerssmorgasbord.com/ for dinner but found a quilt shop first. Barre was very patient while we three browsed through hundreds of beautiful quilts and smaller things. http://www.millerssmorgasbord.com/shopping.php Of course I bought a few of the smaller things.
For dinner I had chicken on waffles – Miller's original German dish (called Dutch from Deutsch). Far too much again!
Back to the motel to write up our diaries and prepare our tour of the area for tomorrow. The temperature was max 83 F (about 26 C?).
Monday 26 September – Amish Experience #2
We arranged to meet and go down to motel breakfast at 7:30 am. It was a very basic breakfast included in our price.
We then headed for Bird in Hand Bake Shop http://www.bihbakeshop.com/ which had all sorts of home made baked goods and preserves as well as other treasures and gifts.
We then took minor roads south to the Strasburg Country Store and Creamery. http://www.strasburg.com/The-Strasburg-Creamery/
It was then time for total immersion into Amish life style by first visiting the Amish Village http://theamishvillage.net/ where we had a guided tour of the house. It was really very interesting to have a few of the myths debunked and other facts clarified. Some of their alternate energy options are really interesting – they do not use grid power in the house as 'the wires would tie them to the outside world'. This was a reconstructed village but an original house and barns.
Then we decided it would be best to put some of the food back into the motel room as the temperature was already into the high 80s. Our next stop was the Amish Farm and House http://www.amishfarmandhouse.com/ . This was actually Quaker built but the last occupants were Amish. The guided tour was much the same as before but we did learn a little more.
It was then well and truly lunch time so we stopped at the Good 'n' Plenty Restaurant http://www.goodnplenty.com/ not far from the motel. Here I had baked ham, corn and beets followed by strawberry and rhubarb pie (actually crumble). It was all yummy, the only thing missing was the custard.
The afternoon was spent visiting quilt shops and fabric shops with a pretzel shop for Barre and Elaine.
First there was Riehl's Quilts and Crafts http://www.padutchcountry.com/members/riehl_s_quilts_and_crafts.asp which was actually a working farm with a quilt barn. It was great to watch the family at all their normal activities.
Then there was Smucker's Quilts http://www.amishnews.com/Shopping/smuckersquilts.htm and http://www.800padutch.com/y/smuckersquilts.html which was also a farm. What a pity the Amish don't like their photos taken because there were so many fabulous scenes of everyday life.
After nearly having an accident on the way out of Smucker's we headed south on minor roads to Intercourse where we split up to do our own things. Barre and Elaine towards the pretzels and Marion and I towards the fabrics. I bought four more fabrics for my project then sat exhausted in the car with Barre, Marion & Elaine not far behind.
Back to the motel to escape the busy crowds on the main roads and recuperate in time for dinner.
Tuesday 27 September – Amish Experience #3
Breakfast at about 7:30 again after a good night's sleep.
We were on our way home soon after 8 am via a slightly different route till we got to the Taconic Throughway again. It was nice to get of the main highways and away from huge fast trucks.
We had lunch at the Apple Village at Milford where Elaine and I shared a chicken toasted sandwich.
When we arrived back in Massachusetts Barre took us on a quick tour of Stockbridge and Lennox to see how the rich people live.
At last we arrived home, ordered pizza for dinner then caught up with emails and diary before watching the new NCIS on TV. It was great to have very short video chats with Ellen, Luke and Alex and also with Geoff.
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