Lancaster Day One

August 8, 2017

Day One

Oversleeping the day of a plane trip is a fear of mine.  In fact, I have a recurring dream in which I try with all that in me lies to get myself packed and ready in time only to realize that I’m taking one step forward and two back.  I usually wake exhausted and on the verge of panic.  I never sleep well the night before an actual vacation involving public transportation.

This past night was no different.  And as usual, I woke well before my alarm chirped. It was still early when we boarded the bus with friends from Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and parts in between. As usual, what I feared did not happen, and we arrived in plenty of time.  By a few minutes after 7:00 we were rolling down the road and I felt the tension in my shoulders fade with each mile.

This past year has been grueling at times.  I’ve taken on the challenge of managing a local mission thrift shop and I’ve discovered that hard work really doesn’t kill you.  In fact, either my aging joints don’t ache as much as they used to or else I just don’t have time to notice.  Either way, I win.  But it is definitely time to take a few days of R & R and this particular group of friends corralled together on a tour bus promises to be exactly what I need.

Our itinerary will take us for several fun-filled days into the beautiful countryside around Lancaster, PA. By mid-afternoon we had weathered several traffic jams, finally arriving at our first stop. 

Elva Horst lives on Shady Lane Farm near Lancaster and a more picturesque place I have yet to see.  Photo ops abound around both house and barn.  Brilliant flower beds, primitive décor, unique paintings, and a lone hen wandering about looking pleased with herself.  The huge red barn has been transformed into a chalk-talk theater and gift shop. 

What is chalk-talk?  Well, I’m glad you asked.  After we were all comfortably seated in a room with rows of benches, Mrs. Hurst gave a brief history of her family and then explained that chalk talk is way of telling stories using visual and audio art.  A small stage fronted a large tablet of drawing paper attached to the wall, each sheet at least four or five feet square.  While an audio recording played sound bites our hostess created a landscape with colored chalks.  Some were luminescent, some were not.  It was a beautiful drawing, interwoven with eleven crosses which fit nicely with the theme of the narrative on the audio.

After walking the grounds, taking photos, and shopping in the gift shop we boarded the bus and left for supper a local smorgasbord.  I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen so much food, all mouth-wateringly good, in one place before.  We bumped into someone from back home (what are the odds?) and also met up with one of the Florida traveler’s family from the area.

After eating our fill with general merriment, goodwill, and a bit of political discussion among the likeminded, we waddled out to the bus and made our way to our hotel.  I had planned to unpack and then head to the dining area to play cards but one look at the oversize soaking tub in our bathroom put an end to such ambitious plans.  An hour later I drug my very relaxed self into bed and slept the sleep of the just.  Day One was a success.