Pennsylvania

October 8 - 15, 2013

We have been very fortunate to have beautiful weather in such fantastic surroundings ever since leaving California on July 29, 2013.  We knew the great weather wouldn't last and so we had our first rainstorm while in Lake George, New York, that is, if you don't count the one night of rain in Montana and a few rain showers here and there.  But, fall has arrived since we arrived at the Hershey Thousand Trails in Pennsylvania on October 8.  Our sandals have been put away and shoes and socks are the order of the day, along with light jackets during the day.

Although our days were filled with sightseeing, we did have the pleasure of visiting with two of our nieces and their families on two different occasions.

Hershey Thousand Trails Preserve was our home for almost two weeks while we explored the area around us.  Shortly after arriving we had two days of torrential rain.  Fortunately we were on high ground so we didn't have to worry about flooding.  Actually, at this park all the sites were on high enough ground not to have to worry about the water.  

Hershey TT during a short break in the rain

The lake at Hershey TT during the break

Nothing bothers the geese!

Hershey's Chocolate World, the story behind the chocolate.  This new visitor's center replaces the factory tour which had gotten too popular and they could no longer accommodate the number of tourists.

Hershey's Chocolate originated in 1894 when Milton Hershey decided he to coat his caramels in chocolate.  He wanted to mass produce a milk chocolate that was affordable to everyone.  Up until this time only the wealthy enjoyed chocolate.

 Even some of the street lights look like Hershey kisses!

Pennsylvania has some interesting towns.

Sinking Spring had a large number of underground streams that carved out limestone and formed sinkholes so the name Sinking Spring stuck.  

Earliest settlers in Bird-In-Hand, Lancaster County, were Quakers and Swiss Mennonite in 1715.  The name apparently comes from an old inn and stagecoach stop.  An old legend also concerns the saying "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".

Intercourse, Pennsylvania, was formerly known as "Cross Keys" from an old tavern.  It was founded in 1754.  There is still some debate as to how the village became known as Intercourse but since 1814 the name has stuck. One theory is there was an old race track east of town and the entrance to the course was called "Entercourse" and that evolved into "Intercourse".   Another theory is two main roads crossed in the middle of town and that was the reason it was known as "Cross Keys".  How that evolved into "Intercourse" makes no sense to me.  And the last thought is that of the use of language in those early days where "intercourse" was used to describe "fellowship" and "social interaction and support" which was common in rural villages.

Traveling the local highways takes one to many picturesque towns and a lot of pictures will forever remain in my memory otherwise it would take hours to drive a few miles!  Churches are everywhere and make a nice subject.  

Cornwall, Pennsylvania

United Methodist Church, Lititz, Pennsylvania

Wernerville, Pennsylvania - the best ice cream we've tasted

Near Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania

Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania

Intercourse, Pennsylvania

Buggy for sale, Intercourse, Pennsylvania

Hershey Thousand Trails

Colebrook Rd, on the way to Lititz, Pennsylvania from Hershey TT

The Farmers National Bank in Lititz, Pennsylvania

The crosswalk reminds one to look both ways!  Lititz, Pennsylvania

Lititz Springs National Bank, Lititz, Pennsylvania

Schenck's Mill Covered Bridge, Manheim, Pennsylvania - Originally built by Charles Melhorn in 1847 for $650.  Rebuilt by Levi Fink in 1855 for $837 after extensive flood damage.  It is the 3rd oldest bridge in Lancaster County still open to traffic. 

Manheim, Pennsylvania

 More about Pennsylvania later!