Thursday, September 19

Our meeting place was Bird-in-Hand Restaurant for a noon buffet-style meal.

First on the agenda was a class photo. We were missing several couples who were not able to join us. As I was setting up the photo, our tour guide, Joanne, arrived and offered to take the photo so I could be in the shot. If I counted correctly there were twenty-five of us.

Our tour guide and hostess (standing-right) prepared us for the buffet meal.

Our bus

Joanne (left – tour guide and bus driver) with Jane and Marlin Snavely our Sunday school class contact couple. Marlin and Jane knew about this tour because of friends – and having gone on it earlier this summer.

Joanne preparing us for the tour. She trains other tour guides for Bird-in-Hand Restaurant. She told us she would conduct the tour as though we knew nothing about the Amish – just like she does for tourists.

During the early part of our tour, she told us about the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant and the family who owns it – plus a few local motels and other property.

One of the first bits of information was at this Amish buggy/carriage shop. These are new ones for sale – like a new car lot.

She said a new buggy costs between $7,000 and $8,000.

Two eagles flew away as we drove by a farm.

Most of these pictures were taken through the tour bus window – with the exception of the two places where we stopped.

Joanne knew the owners of many farms. As we traveled, she told us lots of details about the Amish: how the Amish religion began, how they came to the United States, their farms, dress, church services, weddings, and a few other traditions.

Our first stop was at Riehl’s Quilts and Crafts near Leola. This is one of our favorite places to take our guests who are not familiar with Amish.

Entering the gift shop

These three (Cerwin, Gerald and John) chose to relax on rocking chairs rather than go in the shop.

I walked around the back of the gift shop and checked their grape arbor. It appears they had already been harvested as I found only a few clusters of grapes.

My next stop was the barn where they keep their horses and small animals. It was difficult to get a picture of this puppy as it kept jumping – wanting me to pick it up.

The rabbits were a bit calmer and easier to photograph.

When inside the barn, I heard the sound of the men filling silo with their corn harvest, so walked out back to see them.

Now I knew why the mules were not in their usual pasture.

Going to the field with an empty wagon.

When our classmates were finished in the shop, they enjoyed the barn and other parts of the property. It was a beautiful day for exploring.

This goat was trying to convince Marlin to feed it.

When that didn’t work, it began begging the rest of us for food.

This one was enjoyed grass and clover and didn’t ask for pellets.

I enjoyed watching two of the children.

They are so used to people that our group of visitors didn’t bother them or capture their attention.

The corn field that was being harvested was next to their driveway.

They were just coming around the corner of the field as our bus left the driveway.

A pretty horse in a field as we drove to the next stop.

The next stop was at Countryside Roadstand and Annie’s Kitchen, near Ronks. We had never been here, so added it to our list of places to take friends who want to see Amish country.

This place was quite busy when we arrived – I took this picture after a motor coach and a few smaller busses left. They have delicious soft pretzels, ice cream, homemade root beer, baked goods and a gift shop. Everyone gets a small sample of warm soft pretzel when you arrive.

This young Amish woman stopped to talk with tourists as she took her pretty horse to the pasture.

After sampling a piece of pretzel, tasting a 25 cent sample of homemade root beer and buying a few things in the bake shop, I walked around and found some pretty flowers and things.

By the time we left this delightful stop, the Amish children were going home from school.

This young woman was mowing yard along the roadside.

At this farm they brought the entire stalks of corn in on a wagon then sent it through a chopper and blew it into a white storage bag.

When Joanne stopped here, she asked if we could tell what kind of animal was kept in this barn. It took us a bit to see that it was camels.

Then, to our delight, some of them walked outside – just as if they wanted us to see them.

Joanne thought there are 15-20 camels. There are some babies, so she has lost count of them.

These camels are milked. Camel milk sells for $10.00 a pint and is shipped across the country. That means the cost of shipping is added to that.

I googled camel milk to see why it is so valuable. This is from the Internet: camel milk has been used for over 5,000 years to help fight off germs, fight diabetes, support gut health, and provide the body with important enzymes. This milk was readily available in Middle Eastern countries even when water was lacking.

On top of the many surprising health benefits, camel milk is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids, and high in vitamins and minerals. The great news is that those with lactose intolerance will likely be able to enjoy this milk without the symptoms associated with drinking cow’s milk.

Whether you are looking for a way to boost gut health, reduce anxiety, or support your child with autism, camel milk has you covered. Camel milk is also thought to be more bioavailable – making it an excellent beverage for anyone who experiences high levels of stress and anxiety.

We drove by another farm where they raise beautiful white tailed deer.

So ended our interesting tour of Amish country.