Amish country

After the disastrous night in NYC and our short night in Jersey, we left our hotel and headed to a hotel near Lancaster, PA. We decided to stay in a hotel since there were supposed to be severe storms. Of course the severe storms never happened, but oh well, better safe than sorry.  Lancaster is Amish country, and it felt like we were in a different world from being in NYC the day before!!


We decided to splurge and go to the sight and sound theater to see the Noah musical. Phil and I had seen it a few years before in Missouri and it was awesome. The girls LOVED it!

This morning we headed out to visit an Amish farm.  It is amazing how many Amish people live in this area, but it is Amish country after all. We paid to go on a hour long buggy ride through the country and to visit an Amish farm. Our driver was an Amish man himself, and we peppered him with questions. I was surprised when his cell phone rang as he was driving the buggy. I asked him about it and he told me he wasn't supposed to have it, but they said it's ok for business. I knew they didn't use electricity, but was surprised that they could use propane. It was interesting to hear the man's story. He told us that he was excommunicated from the Amish when he chose to leave the church when he was 20, but came back two years later. It was a very interesting hour, we learned a lot. Phil has always said he was meant to be Amish, but found out today there is no way that can happen. He lasted one hour before sneezing nonstop and needing Benadryl.

After the Amish farm we headed to Hershey, PA. We were shocked at the amount of attractions there! We headed into chocolate world and went to the factory simulation tour, which thankfully was free. The tour was really fun, we got to sit in a moving car and watch as they demonstrated how their factory and chocolate processing works. Did you know they can make 60 million Hershey kisses per day?

It was also interesting to learn about Milton Hershey. He had a few business attempts that totally failed before making milk chocolate, but kept on working hard. When he died he left his 60 million dollars to serve others. He also established the town of Hershey. Interesting stuff. I will say they did a brilliant job of marketing. During the tour they pump in the smell of chocolate so your mouth is watering, have you leave on an upper level looking down at the gift shop, give you a free sample of chocolate, and then release you into the enormous store.

After leaving Hershey we stopped for groceries and propane, then headed to Gettysburg to camp for the night. We are camping by about 40 Boy Scouts, we know who to call if we need a fire started!

 We spent a long time getting the van and camper cleaned out! Have a great night.