Not just another Saturday morning in central Pennsylvania. This one was one of those magnificent days where the atmosphere is free of haze that postcard photographers love. Add a constantly changing variety of blue sky and wispy clouds and it feels like you're in a Disney World commercial.
With the temperature at 48F, Aleta, Paul and I pointed our scooters towards Millheim, Pennsylvania and the IngleBean Coffee House for breakfast. A fine, lazy ride through some of the most picturesque agricultural landscapes in Pennsylvania — a real ride through time as a result of the growing Amish communities here.
Seeing horse-drawn buggies is a common scene with road apples everywhere and the telltale lines on the road sketched by hundreds of thin steel wheels. During the ride we passed a number of them. I noticed one Amish farm is a solar array on the roof. Wonder what that powers...
We were lucky enough to get a parking space right in front of the coffee house. Notice the parking pattern -- Paul and I represent the older generation parking head out. Aleta does the head in parking. Evidence of an intergenerational ride.
The IngleBean Coffee House is a relaxed, comfortable, feels like home kind of place with good food. Definitely worth the half hour ride. The place has a rustic, LL Bean feel to it and is the sort of establishment you would expect to find friends (which we did when we first arrived). Paul and Aleta seemed to be at home.
Paul Ruby, BMW, Ducati, vintage Vespa, and on this day Piaggio Fly rider. I think he's sucking in his stomach...
Aleta puts up with one more picture with the local mural on the side of the Elk Creek Cafe. Another fine place to eat.
We wandered across the street to the Green Drake Art Gallery where I bought a small clay tile for Kim. On the way back I had the chance to catch another Amish rider...
Riding through the middle of the valley on the small roads, the ones the Amish use, and just thinking how fortunate I am to be here.
Another little ride stored away, percolating, mixing into the Vespa experience.
9 comments:
48 degrees? I am jealous....here I am happy that the high today will only be 80!
Nice pic of the clouds and sky....
dom
Looks like a fun day out!
So do the grooves left by the horse buggies present any riding challenges?
Steve:
too bad you weren't available for more than morning breakfast (thank you again). I really wanted to see an Amish buggy . . . That town looks so photogenic
We usually "back" our vehicles into parking spots too. Much easier to make a quick get-a-way
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Beautiful photos! Blue skies and perfect temperatures .I didn't know that the buggies would make grooves in the asphalt. Didn't think they weighed that much...
Charlie6 (Dom): I'm sure the cold weather will get to you soon. Has to -- you're a mile up -- three thousand feet higher than me!
Lucky: Mostly the marks left by the wheels are cosmetic -- you see them but I don't think they leave any impressions to speak of. I've never really inspected them carefully. Another thing to do!
bob skoot: There are places here on Sunday morning where you'll pass dozens of buggies. Would have been nice to be able to spend more time with you showing you around some of the more obscure sights!
RichardM: I have to look closely at the marks now. I'm wondering if the steel leaves some sort of residue or scuff marks.
An Amish investigation is in order.
Aleta and I went to the Steam Engine show after you headed home. We parked our scooters along the fense next to a row of Harleys. On the way out we talked to a man with a scooter and a side car that contained a poodle and a miniature pinscher. He said, "My dogs would be millionaires if they had a nickel for time someone took a photo."
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