Lancaster County Bike Ride

yesterday was such a wonderful day! even though i thought my legs might never recover, i wish that we could repeat yesterday's outing every weekend!  

i was itching to do something in this beautiful weather (cool mornings, mid 70's in the afternoon, sunny without much humidity - not the norm in PA) and decided to research a bike ride that didn't include our normal bike path routes.  i came across this article, which brought me to the lancaster bike club's site which is just chock-full of rides for all types of riders. although Lancaster County is only about an hour from our town, i've only been there once in the years i've been in PA.  and that was only to go to the outlets...which really didn't count, it's not exactly the best way to experience pennsylvania dutch country culture.

i decided on the Lapps Ice Cream Ride, since ice cream is delicious, and this one has a stop for fresh amish ice cream PLUS a covered bridge! after printing out our cue sheets, we packed up the bikes and traveled out to Amish (and mennonite and brethren) country. the sky was perfectly blue and the rolling hills covered with farms is so picturesque...and kinda sad with the commercial areas creeping up on this lifestyle that seems stuck in time.

we passed a few buggies on the road and arrived at our starting point at the Strasburg Railroad and museum.  free parking, woo-hoo!

our bike ride was primarily on back roads that were in great shape, so much better than roads that are heavily traveled by vehicles other than horses!  there were many kids on scooters, with their suspenders and hats -  or dresses, aprons and bonnets - that we passed along the way, but we were off the main roads for the most part so avoided cars much of the trek. it was so nice to be able to ride side-by-side and be able to talk to each other during our ride rather than hugging the breakdown lane line.

many of the farms were harvesting their corn and we got to witness horse-drawn tractors (some with generators, too) and some ancient looking tools. of course, there was the occasional whiff of manure as we passed some of the barns that were closer to the road.  i so wish i could've stopped to take more pictures, but the more we stopped the more my legs burned...and since most Anabaptists are vehemently against having their picture taken, i didn't want to be overtly offensive (or get my iphone smashed!). i know some of the ways are fairly backwards in comparison to our daily life, but i find it fascinating that their culture can thrive just miles from city life and that it can be so entrancingly peaceful.

our ice cream stop at Lapp Valley Farm was delicious.  such a rich and creamy treat on our hot trip! gotta warn you though - the hill after the farm is BRUTAL.  it was by far the steepest we came across on the route, and right after ice cream made it a real kick in the pants! since we were riding, we didn't stop at any of the other farm stands or bakeries, but we did pick up some incredible homemade root beer from the parking lot for our car ride home.  only $5 for that giant jug of the darkest rootbeer i've ever seen! awesome end to a fabulous outing!!

i can't wait to go back and explore new bike routes and some of the little villages in that area! let me know if you want in on exploring this little piece of old country!

here are just a pathetic number of iphone pics that simply don't do the landscape justice.    

labor day snapshots

there is nothing i love more than being at the beach on a hot day with family and friends. but sometimes splashing in a pool is a perfect substitute for the sound of crashing waves! i mean, c'mon, can you tell me that everyone wasn't having an AWESOME time in new jersey over the labor day weekend?! the little ones couldn't get enough of their swim time...B didn't even care that i tempted fate by dunking him under (thankfully not captured!).

playtime with the water baby

oh C, i can't stand it! how did you get so old?! nearly two and looking less like the baby your parents brought home from the hospital. wasn't that just a blink of an eye ago!?


when the weather is sticky and you're stuck in a state without a shoreline, sprinklers go a long way for creating a happy water park for the little ones. the best thing about being a toddler is that you don't care what the calendar says. who cares if the summer is winding down on paper and the sun is stuck behind storm clouds? if there's water to soak up, expect laughter to follow!


who cares if you have a perfectly good sippy cup of fresh, clean water in your play area? drinking from a hose, sprinkler or a squishy water ball is always far more delicious! plus you get the extra nutrients from any potential dirt or grass that gets mixed in :).


once C caught on to the fact that i was stalking him with my camera, he decided to show off some sprinkler jousting skills. such a little ham, he would run through the drops and then come right over to make sure he liked what i captured, haha. maybe he'll be my next photo assistant!


he refused to give mimi a hug so we could get a cute picture of the two of them together. maybe he was just thinking that it would be nice to keep her clothes dry...or maybe he was thinking he'd much rather keep playing before the inevitable towel came to end one of his last summer evenings at the water park!


thanks for keeping me and my camera fairly dry, C! had a great time watching you love life! xo!

playtime at valley forge park

not only was i lucky enough to see my niece last weekend (and capture a picture that i just can't stop staring at!), but on sunday morning we got a great surprise visit from my nephew!! it's pretty rare that we have guests at our house, we're typically on the go and looking for a reason to get out of the house, so this was a real nice treat!

between the little fledgling's nap times, we traipsed around valley forge national park and soaked in the sun...doesn't B look too cool for school in his babiators?! :)


he likely would've been just as happy hanging out in the bed of his dad's truck all afternoon, but we strapped him into his little red wagon and went off to explore the various landmarks around the park. probably should have a little more knowledge of the history surrounding valley forge after living with it in my backyard for so many years, but for the short amount of time we were there i was more than content just pointing my lens at the pretty things i saw.


from the car, the grass might look really lush and well maintained (and it is for such a vast piece of land), but the uneven footing and undulating hills did not make for an easy walk for teeny legs! luckily crocs are perfect for off-roading!


we played with acorns, sticks, shadows...and almost an innocent bystander's iphone :).




it was a successful adventure with the funniest little guy i know...but i know his highlights of the day probably included eating pb&j and getting sprayed by the garden hose at home. it's the little things, that make us happy, right?! xo!!

playtime with the electric lady

yesterday, we went into new jersey for the afternoon and i got to spend some time playing with my little niece.  she's growing up so fast and is doing all sorts of new tricks every time we see her, it's really amazing how much a week can change a 10 month old!! she came in wearing the cutest outfit - complete with pink skinny 'jeans' and a matching flower headband, that quickly found its way to the floor. her blue shirt made her, already incredible, eyes look insanely electric when we stepped out into the sun!

i mean, seriously, where do we sign her up for her modeling career?!

inside, she was more than content occupying herself. she played peek-a-boo with her dress and somehow managed to make every single leapfrog sound/light go off at once :).


i don't think i've ever seen a toddler so focused on performing a task...like when she decided this book page looked like an excellent teething toy, she worked with all of her might to hold it up while she delicately leaned over and began gnawing on it, haha. hope the hard work was worth it, jules!


i know the focus is quite off on this next one, but there was something about it that i just couldn't pass up - the heart button? her crazy long eyelashes? or maybe just how peaceful she looks while at play?!


see you again soon little lady!! xo!