Tuesday, September 7, 2010

A valley through the middle of my soul

I’d love to tell you that I had a wonderful trip to Amish country on this perfect day. But let’s just say that it wasn’t what I expected. As I mentioned yesterday, my husband had said he’d like to take a drive to Amish country on Labor Day, just to go somewhere and see some different scenery.

Unfortunately, I forgot to read his mind before we left. Because I do believe that what he really wanted to do was to merely drive through Amish country on the way to yet another hike that involved steep terrain. Of course, because I didn’t read his mind, I didn’t bring my hiking shoes (thank heavens) to which he promptly told me that I’m never prepared.

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We were up and out by 7:30 though, and WXPN in Philadelphia was playing a Labor Day special of Bruce Springsteen songs from A-Z. So that was pretty cool.

We saw some beautiful scenery, like the photo above, but there was no stopping and all of these were taken through he car windows.

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We saw Amish children hurrying to school.

DSC_0097 copy 2 The two boys in the photo above aren’t wearing shoes. And can you imagine letting your children run out of the house, shoeless, and setting off for school along a well-traveled road? Well, I guess I could if I were Amish.

I’m going to think about this when I sit behind the bus tomorrow as it stops every 50 feet to pick up children.

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And if any of you out there know what’s in the field above, feel free to shout it out. (I already know; I’m just seeing if you do!)

The trip wasn’t a complete bust. I got to listen to some Bruce tunes that I haven’t heard in years. This one is one of my favorites.

Hope your week is a good one.

39 comments:

Deb said...

great photos...can't imagine sending my kiddos off walking to school barefoot...

Lili said...

Even through the car window your shots are pretty cool. Is that tobacco they're growing? Oh, and the Boss is one of my favorites too. ~Lili

Country Girl said...

You got it Lili!

~ C.G.

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Are the Amish growing tobacco? Bear with me.....I've never been to Amish country and I haven't seen tobacco grown!

Anonymous said...

When I lived in Connecticut I used to enjoy driving to Amish Country. Beautiful scenery!

And, I believe that is tobacco leaves, as I know that is one of the crops the Amish grow.

Michelle said...

I'm sorry it wasn't what you were expecting, your husband wouldn't stop, and that he sniped at you. Did you sit in the car while he and George hiked? (I would have had my knitting! ;-)

Andi said...

Where did you wind up to hike?? We almost went up to Hawk Mtn this morning, but no one wanted to get up and during peak rapture season, there is no parking after 10 am...so we never made it. seriously, would love to hook up with you if you decide to try it.(only problem I think is no pets on the mtn.)I would even feed you after! Would love to know where you hike in Pa, our trails are getting stale. :)

Teri said...

Burley tobacco. Lots and lots of it here in TN. They have the smoke barns going for the dark fire tobacco (snuff and chew) here.

Lisa said...

Lovely post. I would be in heaven taking photos of them and the country.
Im enjoying you post.
My camera strap didnt come yet. My address was wrong. Maybe this week. I ordered two. I hope I like them . I will let you know.

myletterstoemily said...

what a lovely photo of tobacco!

deborah said...

sticks of tobacco ready to hang in the barn..I once helped my uncle plant tobacco by moonlight!
Enjoy your pictures of the Amish children. Where did you eventually go?

deborah said...

Just noticed the children are carrying Igloo coolers! Too funny:)

Lynell @ Just Two Farm Kids said...

Just stumbled across your website tonight via PW. Absolutely LOVE your photos! I'm trying to improve my photography skills and plan to explore your website more for inspiration. Thanks for sharing!

beth said...

funny...i haven't seen tobacco like that since we lived in north carolina.....

and the amish....oh how i love them.

Country Girl said...

You always surprise me with your knowledge. Burley tobacco! Wow.

Welcome Lynell. Glad you stopped by.

~ C.G.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Kate:
I'm so sorry your day didn't progress as you had imagined. I love the photos you managed to capture. (Good thing your DH washes windshields!)

I read in a previous comment that the field has tobacco growing in it. I never would have guessed! Lili is genius!
xoxo
Donna

Caroline said...

WOW amazing photos! No shoes!!!? That's so interesting...

Launi said...

Well, I'm pretty sure my kids would go barefoot in the snow if their mama would let them.
Funny, I wouldn't really expect the Amish to be big on smoking...shows what I know. Lovely country--lovely photos!

LadyFi said...

What fabulous shots! Such a peaceful way of life - but tough.

Scriptor Senex said...

Sorry you didn't get to have the day you anticipated. At least the sight of those children gave you a good blog posting.

Mental P Mama said...

Well my husband claims he walked barefoot to school. Uphill both ways. And barefoot. How foolish of you not to use your mind reading skills before your adventure.

Mary said...

I have never been to Amish country. I'm thinking that is something I ought to remedy.

Oh, and did you hear my anthem? "the screen door slams..."

Bruuuuuuuuuce! ;)

Jayne said...

You and I share a brain Kate. I would not have packed the hiking shoes either...lol. Nope, just me and my camera ready for a nice drive. :c)

ELK said...

my husband chuckled sat this ..he would..i completely understand. relish the school kids with their no shoes BIg lunchboxes!!

Skeletalmess said...

Even though taken from inside the car, you have to be pleased of the outcome .......very nice.

The answer has been given many times before I've arrived, but definitely tobacco. In my younger days,I earned money helping some neighbors with their tobacco crops,not an easy job, hanging it in the barn was the scariest part for me.

Thanks for the post and trip down memory lane.

Jill of All Trades said...

Loved this. I remember walking our small town streets when I was young barefoot. Hardly wore shoes when I was young. No wonder I have some feet issues. Love the pics.

sharon said...

so did you end up hiking or did you get to do something else? Love the pictures...my never quite turn out that way when we are driving. Could it be the camera? hmmmm

Daryl said...

I guess you werent a Girl Scout .. men .. what annoying things they can be.

I do believe that might be NOT be corn ..

mrs mediocrity said...

It is hard to imagine, isn't it? Barefoot, walking all that way to school. A different pace of life, one that I envy in many ways. You take fabulous through the car window shots....

The Weaver of Grass said...

Love those Amish photographs - we visited an Amish community a few years ago. I think the crop is tobacco.

GailO said...

Bruce is perfect road trip music...and I'm on Fire is my favorite of his songs...well one of many favorites:)

I knew that was tobacco...can you believe they used to grow lots of tobacco in CT?

Love those barefoot boys carrying those huge plastic coolers! Seems they should have had those old tin lunch pails:)

The JR said...

Barefoot. I can't hardly walk thru the yard without shoes.

Great pictures.

Will be out the rest of the week for my big horse show. Will have a lot of catching up to do next week!

Jeanne Walker said...

Love the Amish! We spent a week in Berlin, Ohio a few years back in our motorhome. It was one of the most peaceful places I had ever been. At dusk we would hop in the jeep and ride the country lanes, looking for the candle-lit rooms in the homes and fantasizing about what the occupants could be doing! When we left, I told my husband that I wanted to be Amish. This experience is second only to sitting along the shoreline of Bonita Lake in the mountains of New Mexico and at night laying there on the picnic table and watching shooting stars!

Char said...

interesting fact about montgomery, alabama - when i was a child, there was a pediatrician here that believed that children going barefoot kept them healthy and helped build up their immune system. therefore, his children never wore shoes. there are still many children that are children of the children that saw that pediatrician, that do not wear shoes with their fancy dresses to church on Sunday. its very much a local cultural thing and oddly, its of the higher income, chi-chi families.

Donna S. said...

Tobacco?

Gail said...

Looks like tobacco but we used to dry ours from the rafters in the barn.

Beautiful pictures anyway, my dear!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Hmmm... your guy and my guy oughta take a class together. Just sayin.

Tobacco leaves, but that was said already...sheesh I was late coming in.

Love your photos, on the fly and all.

Cheryl said...

Wonderful Pics. I love the Amish country, so peaceful!

Anonymous said...

It looks as though it could be tobacco stacked in those fields, but I haven't seen a tobacco field since I was 10 years old.