Earth Day 2014 - A Few Things Worth Protecting

Fresh Flowers, Rhode Island - 2012

Beekeeping Apprenticeship, City Island, New York - 2012

Little Compton, Rhode Island - 2013

Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania - 2012

Monterey, California - 2014

Anchovies, Monterey Aquarium - 2014

 Farm Stand Flowers, Rhode Island - 2013

 Seaweed, Rhode Island - 2012

New Jersey, 2010

Virginia Beach, Virginia - 2013

 Little Compton, Rhode Island - 2013

 Lancaster, Pennsylvania - 2012

Road Trip - Lancaster, PA

Having lived in New York for the last decade or so, one would certainly label me a city girl. I am the first to admit that I love the country life too. When a family member made the decision to look into some property in Lancaster over the course of several weekends, I jumped at the chance to make a road trip or two. Lancaster is pronounced with the heavy accent on the "Lan" followed by "kisster" as it would be in England. Similarly, the symbol for the region (and seen all over) is a red rose opposite the white rose symbol for the York family in the Wars of the Roses commencing in 1455.

The area is also known as "Amish Country" and you can regularly share the road and parking lots with horse buggies (like the one above) and dining rooms and grocery aisles with Amish and Mennonite farmers. It's a fascinating unique cultural mix for this New Yorker who lives admidst a whirl of every other possible language and ethnic heritage that makes the big city what it is.

Lancaster's Central Market

I loved driving through the spectacularly open spaces and seeing the sun set behind the laundry lines and silos. I also loaded up on hard-to-find penny candy treats, locally pickled beans and vegetables, and other bulk supplies at Yoder's grocery store. Lancaster offered me the unique mix of fresh air and shopping while sorting through the thrifty treasures of the area's many "Re-Uzit" shops. The hundreds of quilt designs were my favorite (separate post coming soon). 

I'm already looking forward to more exploration on my next visit!