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."

Lots of events have come and gone!

We prepped to head north and writing our Blog unintentionally took a back seat, and we have a great deal to catch up with. We spent a few days getting the camper packed and the house ready for some downtime. Now to play "catch up!"
Lets start out with a tease...

We had to have a taste of something very familiar before we headed out!
What would you expect from the Wave!

 

For the next couple of days we were on the road.

Our new (to us) camper took us more than a couple of nights and many miles to adjust to the differences between our Journey and the Access.

The Access drove well. The mileage is less than the diesel but we expected that. We averaged one or two miles per gallon less than the diesel. In all, the things we enjoyed are all the newer amenities that our "Old Friend" didn't have, like pull down shades, quieter A/C and furnace. Yes, we did need the heat a couple of mornings!

Our first destination is Ronks, PA and the "rustic" Roamers' Retreat Campground.

 

"Little" Buzz and Darlene stayed in our camper for the ten day visit to Amish country.

Actually, our stay was organized by Bill and Fran who happens to live in the area. Thirty-two of us from the Encore Lake Magic Resort got together for a week of fun, food (and lots of it) and sight-seeing.

Here's a look around town...

 

 

We enjoyed feeding the fish and trying NOT to feed the ducks!

 

 

 

 

Buzz and I found out that the property adjacent to the campground is owned by a John Deere club and the weekend before the rest of our group was due in they were holding a "Rough and Tumble" tractor event. So we donned our farmer's hats and meandered on over.

 

 

Over 200 John Deere antique tractors were lined up for everyone to admire.

 

 

 

 

Hidden in one of the large buildings on the property was a collection of steam tractors of yesteryear...

 

Here's one for all you die hard John Deere "Gator" lovers...

That's a not so real "gator" in the back of the "Gator!"

 

I'd have to say the most unique tractor might just be this one...

Oh well, to each his own!

 

Here's some photos from around the campground...

Can you recognize a few friendly faces?

 

 

We got a smidgen of exercise in....

Of course we had to play some cards...

Jack and Alice dropped in for the weekend...

...and boy did we eat....

 

From buffet to buffet we went!

 

Stay tuned for our next few blogs as we bring you all up-to-date with our summer travels.

We have lots more to come; Bill and Fran's BBQ, Strasburg Rail Road, Gettysburg, Longwood Gardens and fun in Massachusetts.

Stay tuned!

 To be continued.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Welcome to "rainy" Florida!

So, every one goes home and rarely get to enjoy the summer here in "Sunny" Florida. It appears that the summer is Florida's "rainy season!" We're not complaining about it due to the fact that its also "Hurricane Season." We'll take the rain with thunder storms in lieu of the problems associated with the hurricanes. Although, Florida is also the "lightning Capital" of the country (if not the world)!
We've been dealing with 90+ temperatures that feel like the high 90's and even the 100's. So far we're managing... along with the help of the new Twistee Treat Ice Cream stand that opened up just down 192 from Lake Magic! Yummy! We've already taste tested their soft-serve (3 times).

In fact, just as I was leaving the Twistee Treat, this is what was headed due east over Rt. 192.

 

Turning onto Rt 192 you can see the Rt. 27 over pass is just barely visible as the rain headed my way.

 

Then its on you!

 

 Heading north on Rt. 27.

 

The grass is green and growing leaps and bounds. That also means I can turn off the lawn sprinklers until we head north!

 

I'm working the middle of the week and Pat works on the weekends. This past weekend Pat was not scheduled on Sunday and we headed to Renningers Farm and Flea Market http://renningers.com/ in Mt. Dora.

 

Renningers Promotions is a fairly large company and has four venues listed on their website; two in PA and two in FL.

They typically have entertainment etc. to go along with their markets.

We checked out all the flea market had to offer, a little of the farmers market but decided not to bother with the Antique Market a short distance from the main venue.

 

Among all the typical flea stuff offered, the first vendor we noticed sells horse tack and saddles. This little beauty caught our attention because of its size. (That's Pat's hand touching it.) They told us there is actually one they sell that is smaller. Cool!

 

Then, another "little" object drew us in. This cute Singer sewing machine, and it works!

But, I have to say this little guy drew a great deal of attention.

This "Pygmy Pig" was a hit with the crowd.

Hey, Darlene and Buzz,  I bet this little guy would get along just fine with Winston!

 

As we headed for home, we stopped off in Mt. Dora to check out the stores in the Historic District. Folks, it was beginning to look a bit rough and a victim of the economy. Many store fronts were empty. The Icelandic Restaurant is gone, "The Garden Gate Tea Room" is closed. It was kind of depressing to see this happening.

We hope this may only be a part of the summer exodus and this eclectic town can return to its vibrant old self. Perhaps the returning "snowbirds" will wake up this charming town