Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Part 2: Our trip north, Bill & Fran's BBQ, Shady Maple Buffet, an Amish dinner and more!

Prime Rib was the special! You can have the butcher cut the prim rib just the way you like it. Most of the pieces we saw on plates were usually hanging over the edge of the plate and dripping with juice.. and very rare. The shear size of this place is impressive, let alone the length of the buffet. Everything you can hope to enjoy is presented in a labyrinth of buffet tables.
 
I thought it prudent to photograph our group before we set out to fill our plates. (That way no one worries about guilt for what we are about to eat!)
 

 
The Shady Maple walls are decorated with elegant three-dimensional hand crafted dioramas.


 
We survived the evening only to head out to Bill and Fran's BBQ. They say society arrives late! (Well, actually, I misread Bill's map!) Buzz, Darlene, Pat and I arrived in time to finish off a burger and enjoy the other goodies everyone prepared. A little rain didn't dampen any spirits, thanks to Bill and Fran's three-stall attached garage





 
Larry and Judy did an outstanding job of getting our group photo!

 

 
Here's an overview of Bill and Fran's "spread!"










Quite impressive, wouldn't you say!

 

The next day Bill and Fran planned an Amish dinner at their Amish friends home. Henry Stoltzfus, his wife and their two younger children served over thirty of us a dinner that was referred to as "A Wedding Dinner."
 
But first Henry offered "buggy" rides to anyone brave enough to make the climb into the buggy.

 
 
 
We all began to wonder if Henry's horse was having as much fun as our riders!!


Henry and his wife were looking for a home with a few acres. They settled on this property several years earlier. There was a double-wide mobile home on the land and Henry's wife loved it. (The property looked no where near what it currently looks like.) The story goes that Henry really wasn't all that thrilled about their first home purchase. But, look at what hard work, perseverance and lots of love can accomplish...







 

 
Yep, that's all their hard work in all its glory.
 
...and, they even have....
 
True to tradition, all Amish families should own a Sunday going to meeting buggy...

 
 ...and what a beauty!

 
 Alice just cannot resist getting the drivers perspective!
 
Yes, the meal was grand and so delicious. We were given the freedom to tour their home and take all the photos we wanted. This was truly a unique and wonderful experience.
 
So, what's next? I know, Kitchen Kettle... and samples of jams, jelly's and fudge!
 
A brief stop to see Deb's "Pepper Lane Fudge Shop."
Deb took a day off when we visited but you may recall her from our Blog, "The Adventures of Gnorm the Gnome!"



 
Kitchen Kettle was celebrating a birthday and a host of special guests were invited.

 
Stay tuned for the next installment of our "Trip North."

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