On the Road Again: Pennsylvania

We all travel for different reasons: to seek out new experiences, because we are bored, to make new friends, to check off our bucket list, maybe we have more money than we know what to do with, etc. However, I would venture to say most travel to seek out new experiences. On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, our travelers certainly had some new experiences.

For those who have never ridden in a farm wagon drawn by a team of horses, they not only were treated to the ride, but saw what was called "white line cattle" on the Landis Valley Farm in Pennsylvania, a re-created German community from yesteryear.

This meaty, solid breed, which I've never seen, is an "archaic strain of Galloway [a Scottish breed], easily identifiable by the white stripe running down their spine." They come in black, blue/black, red, or brown, according to the Riggit Galloway Cattle Society.

The museum there houses a full-sized Conastoga Wagon, used to haul goods. A man either walked alongside or rode his horse by the wagon to guide the team down the path. Also on display was the rider's saddle that had extended-side coverings to protect the rider's legs.

In Philadelphia, all of us were anxious to see the Liberty Bell. It is a lot smaller than I pictured, and there is definitely a large crack down the side. It is sobering to learn about the humble beginnings of our great nation while sitting in Independence Hall. Arguments over the smallest issues rival our modern-day disagreements in intensity. Tour guides in Philadelphia are usually costumed and locked in time to reflect the era.

Already bumper-to-bumper traffic was being re-routed all over the city because of the NFL Draft, which was to take place the following day. What a nightmare for our driver!

Have you ever seen a pagoda? We now can say we saw one on top of a mountain accessed by a winding, narrow road built in 1911 in Reading, Pennsylvania. How about a ghost-inhabited hotel? Yep, we ate lunch in one. The Stirling Guest Hotel, Reading, PA, is a magnificent estate that caters to guests and has hosted dignitaries from all over the world. Those who lived there still haunt the home, but we didn't see any of them.

How about wooden bricks? We saw those in the elaborate entrance to an early cemetery. They were installed to make sure the horses' hooves did not make noise

when bringing the deceased into this quiet sanctuary, although I don't think the deceased would have minded.

The men especially enjoyed hearing about vintage airplanes from veterans who volunteer at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Reading, Pa. From early passenger planes to WWII bombers with pictures of pin-up girls decorating the exterior to experimental planes such as the one in which John Denver lost his life, one can appreciate how far we have come in the field of aviation. One can pay to take a ride in the air-ready planes. A WWII Weekend is coming up June 2-4, if you are interested.

I would say, we crossed off many bucket list items for our travelers, even if they didn't know these were on that list!

Our Travel Show is scheduled for July 20, 6:30 p.m., Shelby Senior Services, 1504 S. Harrison St. Call 317-398-0127 after May 1 to reserve your free spot. Seating is limited.

Carol McDaniel, MA, is the travel coordinator for Shelby Senior Services.