MANHEIM, LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

Tuesday, May 6 - We moved from Clarksboro New Jersey to our Thousand Trails Preserve Hershey in Lebanon Pennsylvania. Ray decided to take the roads "less traveled" on Rt. 322, Rt. 1, Rt. 30, Rt. 72, and Rt. 322. Ninety miles took us three hours. We were fortunate to get here before noon so we could select our corner site up on a hill overlooking the lake. There are Canada Geese everywhere with plenty of new goslings. We are situated on a hill with log cabins between the lake and us. There is plenty of wildlife around. We have seen up to 15 Canada Geese and many Red Breasted Robins searching for worms and building nests like the one on our ladder behind the RV.

There are two American Plover - Killdeer nests on the ground protected by folding chairs with a sign "Do Not Disturb" and the birds are beneath the chair. Killdeer is one of the most successful shorebirds because of its fondness for human modified habitats and its willingness to nest close to people. Because they live so close to people, however, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and collisions with cars and buildings. The broken-wing act used to lead predators from the nest would not keep a cow or horse from stepping on the eggs. To guard against large hoofed animals, the Killdeer uses a quite different display, fluffing itself up, displaying its tail over its head, and running at the beast to attempt to make it change its path. I was fortunate to see her do just this when I was walking Mitzy one day.

Ray's Reflections: the trip was short from the eastern side of Philadelphia in New Jersey, only 95 miles to Lebanon Pa. However, due to traffic and road conditions it took us almost 3 hr. Realizing the weather conditions in this region can be brutal with the freezing weather, rain and large trucks, leaving some potholes that could do a lot of damage to any vehicle. As we approached Lancaster, PA, the terrain turned into foothills dotted with many farms lands laying a patchwork across the rolling hills. Each farm had a set of towering silos a large barn with cattle, horses, goats, and sheep or a combination, grazing throughout the pastures. We are in the Pa. Amish and Mennonites. As we approached Lancaster, we saw several single horse drawn black enclosed carriages on the roadway hanging hard to the right side trotting along at a good pace. The occupants were sitting far back inside the carriage almost as if they did not want to be seen, but it was obvious they were male wearing mostly black clothing with broad brim black hats, or female in dresses with hair covering. Later we saw white and dark blue carriages as well. Just north of Lancaster we drove the RV through the small town of Manheim. Older towns have some sort of historical society preserving certain structures, we did not see this happing here. The main road, Rt. 72 has taken the right away almost to the doorstep of the homes along the road. The distance between the structures was almost non-existent. However, everything added character to this farming community. I must say the thing which held my interest were the trees lining the road only inches from our mirror with semi-trucks coming from the other direction. White knuckles. After ten miles, we approached our RV Park sitting on a ridge surrounded by a forest, in the middle of the park was a large lake, occupied by geese, ducks and a few anglers. We found a vacant site close to the lake. We decided to make Hersey Chocolate our first stop. We were surprised, thinking we could tour the factory and return early afternoon. For those who have not visited this area, it is a must-see. The town of Hersey is pristine. Looks like a town out of a travel magazine, including the Hersey Kisses street lamps. The Hersey Company occupies the northern section of town, which resembles Disney World, but on a smaller scale, with amusement parks. We had no idea the variety of Hersey products produced today, or that it took over 50,000 cows to produce enough milk for one day's production of Hersey chocolate. Hersey use to own all of the milking farms, until the business exploded beyond the founders wildest dreams. Hersey also founded a Beautiful University in the rolling hills of Hersey. We plan to revisit this area another time. It has been raining for several days but today we got a break so we visited an Amish Village and Mennonite museum. In addition, we took a short train ride thru Amish country. The outward appearance of this community seems familiar, but then you notice some residents do not have any vehicles. The few cars we did see were all black, very black and no chrome. Then we saw horse or mule drawn machinery on some farms. BIKE - We have been in the Hersey area now for almost 3 wks, the rainy weather has allowed us about 5 days to get out and enjoy the sights. I have been able to ride the bike several days. The roads and terrain around this area are very desirable for bikers. The rolling hills & curvy roads keep you on your toes. Some of the hills come to a peak suddenly with the roadway ahead dropping out of site for what seems like minutes but in reality, it is just seconds. With the many active farms and entry roads everywhere, you never know what to expect as you clear the hilltop from slow moving farm machinery, to horse drawn carriages. Whoa, I was not expecting to see that, was my thought on many occasions. I learned in a hurry to cover the brakes at every hill. Fortunately, the speed limit is reduced. The farmland of course is cleared: therefore, one can see around most curves. We like to take many photos, therefore I mostly ride slower than most traffic and on many occasions, I motioned vehicles around me when the road is clear to do so. I am always looking for the next photo op, and making a u-turn to capture it. Springtime here is great with everything in bloom and crops growing like crazy. Most wheat fields are 2-3-feet high. After cresting one of many hills standing right next to the road behind a wire fence was a bull and very tall Lama with its mouth full of grass looking over the fence down at me. Wonder what it was thinking as I went by, (Hummmm, funny looking red bug with a white dot, looks tasty). Wednesday, May 07 - Hershey's offers visitors an interactive tour experience on board large passenger carts carrying you through the production stages of the Hershey's Chocolate. We took this tour and although geared towards children, it was fun to see. The food court and Kit Kat Café' offered up some surprisingly good and tasty items. We dropped a significant amount of money purchasing family members some Hershey chocolate gifts to mail back to our family in Florida. We thoroughly enjoyed the 3-D Hershey's "Really BIG Show". The special effects were a lot of fun even for us old folk. Fortunately, we were here before the schools were out for the summer. May 17- We woke up to sunny skies and left for Strasburg around 10:00 am. We were given tickets to board the Strasburg Railroad train that takes you through some of the most beautiful, peaceful and productive Pennsylvania Dutch countryside to Paradise, PA. We saw Amish farmers working in their fields, Amish children playing, and livestock grazing. Plenty of wheat fields coming up from the ground. It is only 45 minutes, which was just perfect. The train offers first-class seating with butler-served wine & cheese. We were in coach. Known as America's Oldest Short Line railroad company. "The Road to Paradise".

Monday, May 19 - High of 56 degrees at noon with 20 mph gusts. Got down to 48 at night. During our travels around the area, we had to drive through Manheim many times. It is full of historical homes down its main streets. This is an established Mennonite Church. Founded in 1762, the town of Manheim rightfully belongs in that select list of Pennsylvania towns, which antedate the Revolutionary War. Of additional interest historically is the fact that the land on which the town was laid out has a close connection with the family of the colony's founder, William Penn. Explicitly, it was in 1734 that this tract of acres in Donegal Township (1741 in Rapho Township) was given as a gift to Penn's faithful secretary, James Logan. In 1762, this same tract was purchased from Logan's granddaughter, Mary Morris, by Henry William Stiegel and his two business associates, Charles and Alexander Stedman. Stiegel carried on the operation of the Manheim glassworks, which eventually was given the name of the American Flint Glass Manufacture. Actually, the glass factory that Stiegel established and which had augured so well for the future of Manheim was never operated with any success after the failure of the founder. After several feeble efforts, it finally shut down forever about 1780. This left Manheim a struggling village of barely more than 300 people. It is well to remember that, although Manheim was an industrial town, thereby fulfilling the dreams of the founder for many years, it was hardly more than a trading center for farmers. Truly, it may be said, that Manheim's continuing existence up to the present era was because it is in the heart of the rich farmland of northern Lancaster County.

We drove through such villages as Bird-in-Hand; Intercourse; Smoketown; and Hummelstown, to name a few. We were warned not to take pictures of the Amish so the pictures of the buggys are from a great distance and as quickly as possible. We saw a lot of women in the buggys going about their errands in the small towns we drove through.

Herr's Mill Covered Bridge is located on the Herr's Mill historical site, a restored Amish Village, which is open to the public. The bridge was moved a short distance when it was replaced with a new one. Herr's Mill Covered Bridge was built by builder's Joseph Elliot and Robert Russell. The bridge is a two span bridge, 178 feet in length by 14 feet 5 1/2 inches in width. The bridge is privately owned and used as a tourist attraction only. The bridge is also known as Soudersburg Covered Bridge.

1738 - GRIST MILL @ same site

We also took time to tour the beautiful Hershey Gardens.

We had a great lunch at The Cat's Meow restaurant in Manheim. It is housed in The American Railroad House, a building that was constructed in 1864, the year the railroad arrived in town

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CLARKSBORO NEW JERSEY & PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA

Thursday, May 01 - Today's travel from Fredericksburg, VA was without incident, although the roads Ray took were stop and go. Hwy 301 goes through all the small towns. We arrived at Timberlane Campground in Clarksboro, New Jersey. The park is satisfactory with lots of woods and hardwood trees around. Our cell and air card are working. We saw a wild turkey wandering about the park as if he was tame. Not sure what to feed a wild turkey, but there are ducks in the pond in the park. We have rain in the forecast, but it may be intermittent and we can go see the Philly Historical District. Friday, May 2 - Ray's Reflections: PHILADELPHIA We were trying to decide how we should tour the historical city. Both of us enjoy taking a city tour which gives us a basic lay out of the important points of interest and go back later for a longer visit to certain areas. After looking at a city map, we felt most everything was concentrated in a small region. We decided to try it on own. Having been across this great country and back and feeling very confident with directions along with our trusty GPS I thought no problem. After all, it is not like running around town in 40 ft RV towing a 20+ ft truck with a motorcycle in it. With our rig when you miss a turn (YOU MISS A TURN). It may be blocks or miles before you are turned around, been there done that. We gathered up our daily supply of maps, visitor info, drinks, snacks, cameras hats, sunglasses, and we are off. Our 15-minute drive to the Franklin Bridge was mostly uneventful. As we approached the city over the Delaware River the smog over Philly was very obvious, approaching the exit I realized GPS would be of little use trying to watch traffic, street signs, and one way signs along with hundreds of school kids on walking tours. The streets in the historical area were very rough mostly one way narrow with occupied parking on both sides. We were trying to find a parking lot near the visitor center. Marsha was a big help, two sets of eyes better than one. Finally after 40 minutes of searching, success. We enjoyed the films in the visitor center and the Independence Visitor Center , also many historical buildings in the district. My feelings toward big cities have not changed. Thankfully Philly was the last on our list for a while. A picture of wild turkeys when he rode the Gold Wing one day.

We drove to Philadelphia to visit the Independence Visitor Center at 6^th & Market Streets. We took I-295 N to I-676 N, over the Ben Franklin Bridge. The traffic was formidable and took a lot of navigating downtown to find a parking place. Although we were only gone three hours, it cost us $22. We walked the area. We were not able to see the Liberty Bell due to a massive amount of people waiting. It must have been the day for local schools to have an outing, as children were everywhere. Derived from the Greek words meaning "city of brotherly love," Philadelphia received its name because of its openness to people of all races, religion, and culture; a foundation important to its founder William Penn. Today, the city works hard to maintain this ideal, while still encouraging the advancement of culture, commerce, education and entertainment.

Marsha asked Benjamin Franklyn some questions. National Constitution Center (Independence Mall) was amazing and we enjoyed the two films they presented. In 1948, the interior of the building was restored to its original appearance. Independence National Historical Park was established by the 80th U.S. Congress later that year to preserve historical properties associated with the American Revolution. Independence National Historical Park is made up of a landscaped area of four city blocks, and outlying sites that include: Independence Square, Carpenters' Hall (meeting place of the First Continental Congress), the site of Benjamin Franklin's home, the reconstructed Graff House (where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence), City Tavern (center of revolutionary-war activities), restored period residences, and early banks. The park also holds the Liberty Bell, Franklin's desk, a portrait gallery, gardens, and libraries. A product of extensive documentary research and archaeology by the federal government, the restoration of Independence Hall and other buildings in the park set standards for other historic preservation and stimulated rejuvenation of old Philadelphia. The site is administered by the National Park Service, and it is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (joining only three other U.S. man-made monuments still in use, the others being the Statue of Liberty, Pueblo de Taos, and the combined site of the University of Virginia and Monticello).

The Philadelphia Bourse Building, the first commodities exchange in the United States, was completed in 1895. The building was one of the first steel-framed buildings to be constructed. Three types of masonry were used on the facade: Carlisle redstone, Pompeian buff brick and terra cotta. Inside were large columns and pilasters leading to a balcony surrounding the main floor. Bow-top girders were used to support a skylight at the third floor. Celebrating over 100 years as a center for commerce and trade, The Bourse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is one of Philadelphia’s leading commercial complexes, home to 27 retail and food service stores and more than 35 businesses.

We ate lunch on the first floor where there is a massive food court.

William Penn sailed up the Delaware River in 1682 aboard the ship Welcome. Once the ship had been moored at Chester, Pa., he took a barge to Philadelphia. He came onto land at an area that was a tidewater basin called the Dock. This area was lightly populated by Swedes, Dutch and some Indians. This landing area soon became the center for maritime interests. As people migrated to the Philadelphia area, they had to build homes. While those homes were being built, some dug into the Delaware River banks to make caves in which to sleep. That section of town had a rowdy reputation and some were cited for drunkenness and even for prostitution. Nevertheless, Philadelphia grew and the expansive lots Penn envisioned soon were plotted out--but as very crowded urban areas. Today, Penn's Landing comprises ten blocks running from Vine Street to South Street. Although Philadelphia is still part of the shipping business, the landing has become a riverside park, which plays host to music festivals. The picture is of the Lighthouse on the Delaware River. Only a few lights of this design were built, and this is believed to be the only survivor of the class. Mounted at the end of a short pier projecting into the river.

The Delaware River was explored by Adriaen Block as part of the New Netherlands Colony, and was named the South River to mark the southernmost reach of that colony. The river meets tidewater at Trenton, New Jersey. Its total length, from the head of the longest branch to the capes, is 410 miles, and above the head of the bay, its length is 360 miles. The mean freshwater discharge of the Delaware River into the estuary is 11,550 cubic feet per second. The Delaware River constitutes in part the boundary between Pennsylvania and New York, the entire boundary between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and most of the boundary between Delaware and New Jersey. A historical oddity, the Delaware-New Jersey Border is actually at the eastern-most river shoreline within the Twelve-Mile Circle of New Castle, rather than the usual mid river or mid-channel borders, causing small portions of the New Jersey peninsula falling west of the shoreline to fall under the jurisdiction of Delaware. The rest of the borders follow a mid-channel approach. The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal joins the waters of the Delaware with those of the Chesapeake Bay. The mean tides below Philadelphia are about 6 feet. The magnitude of the commerce of Philadelphia has made the improvements of the river below that port of great importance. Small improvements were attempted by Pennsylvania as early as 1771. In the "project of 1885" the United States government undertook systematically the formation of a 26 ft (8 m) channel 600 ft (180 m) wide from Philadelphia to deep water in. The River and Harbor Act of 1899 provided for a 30 foot (9 m) channel 600 feet (180 m) wide from Philadelphia to the deep water of the bay. Monday, May 5 - We left home at 9:00 am to drive about an hour on I-55 south to see historical Cape May and drive to the point to see the Cape May Lighthouse. Along the drive, we passed many very upscale subdivisions with enormous homes on large landscaped lots. The pink and white dogwood trees were everywhere. We turned onto SR 47 and saw a lot of low-lying marshland. The skies became overcast. We also saw wineries and the grape vines are just now showing their green leaves. We drove through the small historic town of Dennisville where there are old homes sitting right off the highway due to the expansion of the roads in this area. We stopped long enough to get this picture of the St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church with its very old cemetery. We found that every church we saw after this also had their own large cemetery behind or on side of the church. Guess in the old days it was easier to do the service inside and then just walk outside to do the interment.

The Cape May Lighthouse is located off Lighthouse Avenue in Cape May Point State Park. The structure was built in 1859, was automated in 1946, and continues operation to this day. It has been completely restored and repainted in its original colors and with a totally reconstructed lantern. It is the third fully documented lighthouse to be built at Cape May Point. The first was built in 1823 and the second in 1847. The exact locations of the first two lighthouses are now underwater due to erosion. The view from the top extends to Cape May City and Wildwood to the north, Cape May Point to the south, and, on a clear day, Cape Henlopen, Delaware, to the west. Do not miss the Visitor's Orientation and Museum.

Picture of a very unique bird house (made from PVC parts) for Purple Martins. The birds were nesting and flying all around the birds' house.

The tower is 157 feet 6 inches tall, from the ground to the tower's cast iron spiral staircase. There are 217 steps from the ground to the top, with 199 steps in the tower's cast iron spiral staircase. The lighthouse has two separate walls. The outside wall is cone-shaped, and is 3 feet 10 inches thick at the bottom, and 1 foot 6 inches thick at the top. The inside wall is cylinder with 8.5-inch thick walls which support the spiral staircase. The walls were designed to withstand winds several times above hurricane force. Of course, we are not physically able to take the stairs, but enjoyed the scenery surrounding the lighthouse and seeing the Atlantic Ocean from the wooden walkway vantage point.

We drove through Cape May where there are beautiful homes in all shades of color and Victorian architecture. You can walk along the tree-lined streets and explore Cape May's Historic District where there are 96 Cape May Landmarks. Cape May has many cultural, historical and natural attractions on the island and we want to return some day. Numerous marinas and very large boats especially near Reeds Beach have offers to take you out for whale and dolphin watching boat trips as well as dinner cruises.

Saw several RV Parks, some with very dilapidated mobile homes mixed in. Beachcomber Camp Ground and Seashore Camp sites where two that we noticed along the way that looked inviting.

Passed by Historic Cold Springs Village. Historic Cold Spring Village is an Early American open-air living history museum. The Village brings to life the day-to-day activities of villagers living in South Jersey during the "age of homespun". (1790-1840).

Atlantic City has always been a resort town. Its location in South Jersey, hugging the Atlantic Ocean between marshlands and islands, presented itself as prime real estate for developers. The city was incorporated in 1854, the same year in which train service began, linking this remote parcel of land with Atlantic City and then became a popular beach destination because of its proximity to Philadelphia.

The first boardwalk was built in 1870, along a portion of the beach to help hotel owners keep sand out of their lobbies. The idea caught on, and the boardwalk was expanded and modified several times in the following years. The historic length of the boardwalk, before the 1944 hurricane, was about 7 miles and it extended from Atlantic City to Longport, through Ventnor and Margate. Today it is 4.12 miles long and 60 feet wide and reinforced with steel and concrete. The combined length of the Atlantic City and Ventnor boardwalks--the boardwalk now ends at the Ventor/Margate border--is approximately 5.75 miles, currently the world's longest boardwalk.

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FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA

Thursday, April 24, 2008 - We moved from Chesapeake Bay Thousand Trails park near Gloucester, VA to Fredericksburg KOA in Fredericksburg VA, about an hour-half drive and the landscape was beautiful. Ray took U.S. Highway 17, much more scenic than the interstate. The road was very narrow in spots. The park registration was difficult since we had to take a 30-amp site today and move tomorrow to a 50-amp site. Ray had to fight for the site we reserved as they had promised it to someone else who is arriving tomorrow. It is the only location where you could get the satellite as well as 50-amp service. We passed over the Rappahannock River, the tribe's namesake. This fertile region has sustained its people for more than 10,000 years. The area provides more than food; it is a source of beauty and tranquility -- even spiritual power -- to those that live here and to those who visit. Our first site in the park --- Friday, April 25 - We took our time in the morning waiting for the space we were moving to become vacant around 11:30 am. Our new location looks out over the lake. Later we shopped for groceries and checked out our surrounding area. At Rt. 17 and US-1, there are an incredible amount of stores and restaurants available. This area is exploding. Saturday, April 26 - We drove into town to take the 11:30 AM Trolley Tour of Fredericksburg. The tour guide was excellent, and he is a major history buff and answered any questions - although his story was so thorough, there were not many questions.

Memorial and gravesite of Mary Washington Beautiful homes in Historic Fredericksburg.

ORIGINAL SLAVE BLOCK PRESERVED IN DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG

MEMORIAL TO THE CONFEDERATE & UNION SOLDIERS

Monument to Hugh Mercer - Brigadier-General /Army of the US / Bravely defended the Liberties of America - Died January 12, 1777.

Monday, April 28 - We have a major rain front today and the land between the lake and us is becoming flooded. The Canada Geese couple and three little goslings my research found that the family bond begins at the nest and the Great Canada Geese mate for life. The gander has had to guard his mate and goslings several times from not only children that come too close, but from a large blue Heron. It is a lot of fun on a rainy day to watch them forage for food, or take a swim in the lake. Tuesday, April 29 - We drove in rain to see more of Fredericksburg hoping the skies would clear, and they did. We found out last night that our park location a week ago was only 60 miles from where the three tornados touched down and tore up Suffolk. It is overwhelming that we may have been there last week and if we had stayed this week to be in the midst of such total destruction. The tornado cut a swath of devastation through Driver, wiping out historic landmarks. Early estimates from National Weather Service teams suggest wind speeds may have exceeded 136 mph. The tornado struck just after 4 p.m., damaging a local hospital and wrecking nearby subdivisions and a shopping center. Over 200 people injured and 140 homes destroyed. We went to George Washington's Ferry Farm where he lived during his childhood from six to young manhood. Lying across the Rappahannock River from the old town of Fredericksburg, on SR 3 in Stafford County. The Washington family owned the farm from 1738-1774. Ferry Farm is not the actual original home as it burned down twice. The building is now a museum and the grounds show some farming and rolling hills with cleared fields. During 1732, Ferry Farm was the center of intense military activity since the ferry landing was nearby and became a strategic crossing point for the Union Army by way of a ravine that permitted armies easy access to the Rappahannock River. It was not until the Union army shifted away from Fredericksburg in May 1864 would Ferry Farm once again enjoy peace. We did not walk the grounds down to the river due to 58-degree temperatures with the north wind blowing. The Museum has documentary evidence that the farm contained several structures, including two dwellings, several warehouses, a kitchen, and at least one slave quarters. They are still digging on the land and excavating what they find. About 10,000 years ago, Ferry Farm land was inhabited by Native Americans who hunted large game. Stone spear points from this period have been found on the property. We also drove around Fredericksburg taking pictures of some of the homes we saw when we took the trolley. Historic Kenmore great house was built by Fielding Lewis (married to Betty, George Washington's sister) in 1775, on the eve of the American Revolution. The house was used as a Union hospital during the Civil War. The original plantation was over 1,300 acres stretching to the Rappahannock River. In 1922, Kenmore became a house museum and is meticulously protected to keep the 18^th-century appearance.

Fredericksburg is located just fifty miles south of Washington, D.C. The city is rich in colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War history. Its forty block historic district is home to specialty and antique shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, and inns. So much to see and so little time to see it.

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