Lancaster Weekend Day Three

 We started our morning right here at The Barn, with the winds howling down the chimney, we  joined our church virtually. What a blessing to have that option these days — worshipping with my coffee and cherry danish for breakfast because I was still up in my room working on yesterday's blog. But I did make it in plenty of time to get settled and ready to worship. 😉

Once service wrapped up, we headed to Wilbur’s Chocolate for our essential chocolate fix. 😄 I’ll just confess it outright — I walked out with a bag. A big one. Full of goodies and gifts. No regrets.

Next, we walked a few blocks in the howling wind to visit Cherry Acres in downtown Lititz.  If you want one-of-a-kind décor, this place has everything from steampunk lights to Talavera pottery to live-edge slabs. It’s the kind of shop that makes you consider rearranging a room or two in your house… or at least a corner of one maybe!

Lunch was up next, and Mark found us another winner: Knight & Day Diner. That menu could have doubled as a small encyclopedia — so many choices, and everything sounded good. Definitely one we’ll keep in mind for the next Lancaster trip.- 

These were from the Seniors Menu that came with one side and ice cream 

Michael's 1/2 Duck

Davds Slow Roasted Turkey with filling and gravy

Debbie's Pot Roast over filling and gravy 

The rest of us ordered from the regular menu so no ice cream for us 🤣

Steve's Shrimp Scampi

Mark's Fried Chicken

Susan's Chicken Ranch sandwich and a crock of French Tomato Soup

Judi's Double Grilled cheese with Tomato sandwich with the crock of French Tomato Soup (I thought double grilled cheese meant double cheese...nope meant 2 sandwiches)

You could visit this restaurant weekly and still it would take you forever to try everything on their menu.  Food was delicious and service was great.

After lunch, we made a quick run to Giant for the evening’s treat supplies — affogato ingredients or, for the purists, just vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Because Sundays deserve sweetness.

Then it was back to The Barn for an afternoon of crafting for the girls. 

Michael wandered out back to capture the sunset —  he is really committed to getting me these shots. Susan was in the kitchen pulling out snacks when she suddenly started calling my name. Turns out Michael had taken a tumble outside. Between the winds, the excitement of that gorgeous sky, and maybe a missed step or two… well, gravity won that round. 

Thankfully, Susan grabbed ice, Grace checked him over for anything broken.  He is ok just gonna be sore tomorrow and maybe a bit bruised.   

David went out and got us another great shot of the sunset.

 Soon  enough we all settled back around the table for snacks and Bible Trivia. Let’s just say some of our group knew those answers a little faster than others. 😉

Dessert time followed — affogatos for the coffee lovers, and for the rest, good old-fashioned ice cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. A perfect ending to a perfect day. 

We wrapped up the evening cleaning up, laughing over Bible Trivia, and starting to get things somewhat packed for the trip home tomorrow. It truly was a wonderful day and a wonderfully fun — full of blessings, treats, and sweet memories made at The Barn. 

Stay tuned… we may not know when the next adventure will be, but you can bet it’ll be just as exciting.

Lancaster Weekend - Day Two

 We didn’t exactly sprint out the door this Saturday morning—no, today was a slow-and-easy start. The guys made a run to Bird-in-Hand Bakery, returning with warm apple fritters, a cherry danish, and a few other treats. I forgot to get some pictures to share. 

Right beside the bakery is the little petting zoo, and before they headed out, they spotted one very determined turkey pacing along the outside of the fence. He stood there studying the animal-feed machine like he was ready to place an order.

Michael summed it up perfectly:

“A turkey 🦃 outside the fence trying to use the feeding machine.”

And honestly… it really does look like that silly bird was trying to swipe a loyalty card.

Once we got ourselves together, we started the day with a stop at The Old Country Store, one of our Lancaster favorites. A little browsing, a little Christmas shopping, and, in my case, a few things that “just had to come home.”

Next, we headed to Jake’s Country Trading Post—a big thank-you to Wanda for that suggestion! 

Jake’s is huge, full of surprises, and absolutely the kind of place where you walk in with one small plan and walk out with a bag you didn’t expect. And yes… a few treasures were found. Again.

By then, hunger was knocking. It only took three of our men deliberating like they were choosing the site of a new settlement before lunch was decided. 

We landed on Dienner’s Country Restaurant, a cozy Lancaster gem serving Pennsylvania Dutch food since 1993.

A couple went straight for the buffet—mashed potatoes, vegtables, chicken, beef ’n gravy, soup, salad bar, and soft-serve ice cream… how do you walk past that?  But some of us ordered from the menu, and everything was delicious.

After lunch, a few of us looped back to the Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market for the essentials: Amish butter that I didn't get Friday and the fudge I just had to have of course. 🤣

Then it was back to the Barn for a little downtime.  

Michael walked outside and captured this cotton-candy sunset tonight — soft pink glow in the distance, trees silhouetted like a postcard. Absolutely peaceful— makes you stop and just be thankful. A perfect pause before our dinner show.

As the evening rolled in and we got ready for the show, I couldn’t help but think how sweet these simple days are. Good friends, good food, and a little wandering—sometimes that’s all you need to feel the Lord’s blessings settle right over you. 

Holiday Inn was just wonderful! I can’t believe neither Michael nor I had ever seen it before… how did we miss that one all these years?  Well, it’s officially been added to my must-watch list now. The dancing and singing were absolutely wonderful.

Don’t wander far — Day Three is coming! I’m planning to write it today, Lord willing and we  don’t start another shopping detour. Well we may have a place or two to visit today but first we’ll be joining our church online this morning. So thankful we can still worship together even when we’re away. 

Lancaster Weekend – Day One Adventures Begin!

 Well friends, Day One of our Lancaster getaway kicked off bright and early — and I mean bright and early. I was up at 5 AM finishing the last-minute packing (because of course there’s always one more thing to tuck in the bag). We rolled out of the driveway around 7:10, and naturally our very first stop was… yes, you already know… my Dunkin’ coffee. A girl has her priorities. ☕️

From there, we headed to Mark and Susan’s, loaded their stuff into the car that seemed already too full and of course Michael was sure it wouldn't work and Mark headed to garage to get the van but they don't give Susan enough credit she got it all in our car.  Now the guys are sure we won't be able to shop since their is no room according to them. Again they underestimate the powers of Susan!!!    We finally hit the road for real around 8:05-ish.

---

Buford’s Biscuits — Breakfast of Road Warriors

First official stop: Buford’s Biscuits. Oh yes… soft, fluffy, heavenly… I have pictures, don’t worry. Let’s just say no one left hungry.

Susan's pick with sausage and poached egg! 

Breakfast Sandwich

Baker's Farm sausage, ham or bacon, Tillamook cheddar, maple/mustard sauce, Whiffle Tree Egg (scrambled patty or poached

Mark's pick -

The Cure

Tillamook cheddar, fried chicken, gravy, Whiffle Tree egg

Michaal's - 

Back Country Classic

biscuit and a half, gravy of your choice

Judi's pick - my favorite was the sausage gravy and the Plum Jam

Back Country Classic

biscuit and a half, gravy of your choice

---

Ketterman’s Jewelry: More Than Sparkles - Ketterman's in Leesburg is a family owned and operated jewelry and gift store that has had the pleasure of serving Loudoun County and the surrounding areas for over 34 years.  An eclectic mix of quality merchandise and their on-site jewelry repair and design shop make Ketterman's the perfect destination for your jewelry and gifting needs...Always.

Next up was Ketterman’s Jewelry, which is not just a jewelry store — it’s practically a wonderland. Susan and I came prepared with our Christmas lists in hand. There was something special on mine that I was determined to find.

Michael took one quick spin through the store — you know, the classic 30-second husband scan — and confidently declared, “It’s not here!” Then he made the tactical error of insisting and all that did was challenge Susan and I.

Bless his heart. 🫣

Because on my second (slower, smarter) pass… I found it. 🎄✨

Lesson of the day for Michael: never challenge Judi and Susan — we do not leave until we find the thing.

---

Catoctin Mountain Orchard – Snack Stop!

Back on the road, we stopped at Catoctin Mountain Orchard to grab a few goodies for the weekend. If you know, you know: once you walk in, you’re leaving with more than you planned.

---

Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market – Reunion Time

From there it was onward to Lancaster, with a stop at Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market, where we literally ran into the rest of our Crazy Eight crew....Freida, Wayne, Grace and David. We all picked up a few more treats because apparently we’re preparing for winter hibernation not just a weekend.

---

Fabric Store Fun — And Yes, I Bought Something

Next stop: The Log Cabin Fabric Store. All I’m saying is… I may have been the big buyer.

Can I tell you what I bought? Absolutely not.

Christmas elves must protect their secrets. 😉

---

Welcome to the Barn!

Finally, we arrived at our home for the weekend — an old barn turned beautiful house, and it is so cozy. We unloaded and put our things in our rooms, and gathered downstairs for a little visiting time.

Debbie and Steve joining us from GA arrived soon after, completing our party of ten!

---

The Hungry Bunch vs. Chick-fil-A

A few of us — okay, more than a few — were hungry, so our car plus Wayne headed to Chick-fil-A. And wow… that place was packed. Drive-thru, inside, everywhere. But Chick-fil-A runs like a well-oiled machine. Michael and Wayne snagged a table, Susan met them, and Mark and I handled the food run. We were fed in record time.

---

Sight & Sound — “Noah”

After dinner, we headed to Sight & Sound for Noah. 

If you’ve never seen a production there, put it on your list. They do it right — absolutely recommend!

---

Back to the Barn & Off to Bed

After the show we headed back to the barn, visited a bit more, and then I called it a night. Long day, full heart, happy travelers.

Stay tuned for Day Two — the fun is just getting started!

Laughs, Landmarks & Long Roads – 12 Days, 11 States, 7 Rivers, and Countless Memories

Day 12 - Road Trip Complete: Laughter, Landmarks & a Lot of Coffee

We were up and out of the hotel by 7:15 am, ready for the last stretch of the trip. Almost immediately, we crossed into Pennsylvania—only to make a quick and necessary stop at Dunkin’. One last road-trip coffee run felt like the perfect send-off. (And for those who’ve asked what Mark gets at Dunkin’? Nothing. He’s the driver who pulls up so I can roll down my window in the back seat and place the order,  then to the window so I can scan the app, and grab the drinks—while he sips his own hot tea or bubbly water like he’s just our chauffeur.)

I realized I forgot to share something from yesterday morning—Linda texted to say they had been awakened in Nebraska by tornado sirens, with winds topping 100 mph and instructions to take cover. We were so relieved to hear Mark’s family was okay. Then, of course, we pictured what would have happened had Michael been there—probably out in the middle of it, looking for Dorothy, Toto, and the Wicked Witch. 😂

We seemed to have gone back and forth for a while into Pennsylvania and over the Monongahela River, then back to West Virginia, dipped into Maryland, crossed the Potomac River back into West Virginia again, and eventually crossed both the Shenandoah River.

We took a scenic drive through West Virginia before rolling into Winchester, VA, for a fuel stop at Sheetz and a quick break. From there, we jumped on I-81 toward home.

Before lunch, Mark asked Google, “Where’s the nearest Roy Rogers?” and instead of directions, we got a Roy Rogers & Dale Evans playlist. Michael swore there wasn’t a Roy Rogers anywhere nearby, so we settled for Arby’s. Back on the road after lunch—what did we see a few exits later? Yep, a Roy Rogers. We all laughed, and Mark cranked up the playlist. This had us singing Get Along Little Dogies, Home on the Range, Yellow Rose of Texas, and Cool Water.

By late afternoon, we were home safe and sound—unpacked, laundry going, and dinner handled by a Walmart delivery order (no grocery store energy left in me today).

After 12 days, 11 states, 7 river crossings—including the Platte River, where we learned about the Sandhill Cranes—and more Dunkin’ visits than I should probably admit, it’s back to weekday routines tomorrow. Michael and I had such a great time on this trip, and we’re so grateful to Mark and Susan for sharing their family vacation with us. The time spent with his sisters and extended family was full of laughter, stories, and moments we’ll carry with us for a long time.

This trip gave us so many laughs, unexpected detours, and memories we’ll be telling for years.

Until the next adventure…

Laughs, Landmarks, and Long Roads: 12 Days of Fun!

 Day 11 – Four States, Four Rivers, and a Hot Dog Worth the Drive

We met for breakfast at 7:00 am, and I have to say—our hotel really outdid itself on the free breakfast. Everyone found something they liked and left happy. We rolled out of the parking lot around 8:15 am CDT.

First stop—yes, you guessed it—Dunkin’. One XL coffee for me, one medium for Michael, and one medium hot chocolate for Susan. After topping off the gas tank, we left Normal, Illinois, and I commented on what a nice town it was. My husband, full of wit, replied, “Yes, everything looks Normal,” and off we went toward Columbus, OH, our first planned stop.

Around 10:30 am EDT, we made a quick restroom and leg-stretch stop at the Indiana Welcome Center—crossing back into our home time zone. 

By about 1:15 pm, we were officially in Ohio.

At 2:55 pm, we pulled up to Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace in Columbus. Susan had spotted it on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and knowing Michael’s love for NYC-style street dogs, she figured this was a must-do.

For those who’ve never been, Dirty Frank’s is a quirky, casual spot famous for over-the-top hot dogs with creative toppings, along with hand-cut fries, onion rings, and sides that make you want to stay a while.

Here’s what we ordered:

Susan – Brisket & Slaw Dog: Juicy beef brisket and creamy coleslaw.

Mark – Slappy Pappy Super Sloppy Dog: Fries, coney sauce, cheddar, sour cream, and bacon bits, plus onion rings.

Michael – Doginator: Bacon-wrapped dog topped with beef brisket, BBQ sauce, cheddar, and onion rings, with Boston baked beans on the side.

Me – Chili Dog: Coney sauce, onion, yellow mustard, and cheddar, plus an order of onion rings.

Verdict: Definitely worth the stop!

Leaving Columbus’s Discovery District, I snapped a picture of a ladder truck with its ladder raised—it looked like they might have been cleaning it.

By 3:30 pm, we were back on the road and heading toward Wheeling, WV, where we had hotel rooms booked. We crossed into West Virginia at about 5:30 pm. 

After checking in, we grabbed a casual bite at Cheddar’s, nothing fancy, and headed back to the hotel so I could write this blog and we all had time to relax before falling asleep.

Tomorrow, it’s the home stretch back to Fredericksburg. I’m guessing we’ll mostly be focused on getting home, unpacked, and ready for a busy Monday—but if anything interesting happens along the way, you know I’ll share it.

Today’s stats:

• States traveled through – Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia (we’ll wrap up WV and enter Virginia tomorrow).

• Major rivers crossed – Today, we crossed the Ohio River, making it the fourth river we’ve crossed on this trip.

Laughs, Landmarks, and Long Roads: 10 oops I meant 12 Days Together

 Day 10 – From Sunrise to Statues – A Day of Bridges, Rivers, and Road Miles

We got up early and caught a few pictures of our last sunrise in Omaha before hitting the road.

 Loaded the van and by 7:15 am, we were backing out of the driveway, waving goodbye to our home base for the week.

First stop… you guessed it: DUNKIN. One XL hot coffee for me, one medium hot chocolate with whipped cream for Susan — then it was road trip mode!

Our first real stop was Winterset, Iowa to see some of the famous Bridges of Madison County — the ones from the novel and movie. We visited four:

• Roseman Bridge – Built in 1883 and one of the most iconic bridges in the county. This is the bridge featured in the movie, where much of the story takes place.

• Cutler-Donahoe Bridge – Built in 1870 and later moved to Winterset City Park. Its delicate latticework makes it one of the prettiest bridges. Right near the bridge are beautiful bronze statues that capture the spirit of small-town Iowa — perfect for a photo stop, and yes, I’ve got those pictures to share.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
When in Madison County… you kiss on the bridge.





Loved all the statues around the park!































• Holliwell Bridge – At 122 feet, it’s the longest covered bridge in Madison County. Built in 1880, it was also in the movie.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

• Hogback Bridge – Built in 1884, named for the limestone ridge nearby that looks like a hog’s back

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  .

Between Holliwell and Hogback, we detoured into downtown Winterset for a quick photo stop at the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum. The museum holds the largest collection of John Wayne memorabilia in the world and is right next to the small white home where he was born in 1907.

John Wayne Museum – Honoring the Duke in the town where it all began.

We found the Fire Hall and the Fire House - 

Not the best picture of the fire house but it was right across the street from the fire hall.

We also popped into the local quilt shop — and there may have been a purchase 😉. 

Oops caught my reflection in the window. 😂

Winterset Courthouse Square – At the heart of town sits the Madison County Courthouse, a striking limestone building completed in 1876. Built in the French Renaissance style, it features a 136-foot clock tower and serves as the centerpiece of Winterset’s historic courthouse square. Around it, you’ll find charming shops, cafés, and boutiques that make the square a favorite stop for visitors exploring the Bridges of Madison County.

Then it was on to Hogback Bridge before getting back on the highway. -Pictures above

Next stop: Culver’s. Had to get it at least one more time before heading home. Kids’ meals all around, and a free scoop of the Flavor of the Day — Chocolate Peanut Cup for Susan and me, vanilla for Mark, and a root beer float for Michael.

From there, we made our way to the World’s Largest Truck Stop on I-80. This place is massive — full of shops, restaurants, a trucking museum, and even a movie theater. And guess what? No purchases made… can you believe it?

Back on the road, we decided to find a place to stay for the night. Mark found us a Hyatt Place Hotel I got it booked and found a restaurant right nearby for us!  Maggie Miley’s, a cozy Irish pub in Normal, Illinois. Warm atmosphere, great menu, and service that went above and beyond — even the chef stopped by our table. Definitely a road trip dining win.

Susan had Bangors and Mash -my pictures were not so good on this or Mark's Shepherd's Pie 😓

Michael had Corned Beef & Cabbage with mashed potatoes and it was fork tender - had to ask the chef his secret!

These were some of the best onion rings I have had in a while not a great picture 

We covered three states today — Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois — and crossed three rivers: the Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Illinois. Most of the drive was through miles of lush farmland, dotted with small towns and terraced hillsides that looked like green staircases.

Terraces Help Prevent Erosion
Water gains speed and power as it runs downhill, similar to a sled on a snow-covered hill. Terraces are constructed on hillsides to reduce the length of the slope to slow rain water, capturing it and reducing its erosive power. They catch water much like eave spouts on a house. Slope is the rise in land over a certain distance. For example, if the land rises 10 feet in height over 100 feet, it has a 10% slope.

Tomorrow… the adventure rolls on! We’ve got more miles to cover, more bites to eat, and who knows what quirky roadside stops will make the list. One and a half more days on the road — and we plan to enjoy every mile. Stay tuned!