Pennsylvania Road Trip

July 11, 2009

My portion control diet came to a crashing halt today as I could take no more. The day began with a stop at Oram’s Donut Bakery in Beaver Falls Pa. This bakery is found along the main street going through town, route 18. I asked if they had any low calorie selections and the fine lady behind the counter laughed “You came to the wrong place for that”. Every confection in this place is magical. I have no idea what secret formula is used but this has got to be the best donut in the world, hands down! I think I saw a wizard in the kitchen casting a spell over the batch being pulled from the caldron.

After about 1000 calories worth, I proceeded to the Elwood City farmers market by way of route 351 from 18 in Koppel Pa. I bought a fresh cabbage that was not very big but I later found made the best coleslaw ever. Other vendors sell fresh farm cheese and one Amish man had goat cheese. This goat cheese was too rich but I got some anyway and will add it sparingly to something. The Amish also had free range chickens and the eggs produced from them which I also purchased.

Onward I went to a small community called Enon Valley along route 351 to the Slovenian Festival. This is a big annual event at the SNPJ recreation center off route 108 well north of Enon Valley village. I decided not to stay because the ethnic culture was not being represented like I would have preferred; too many carnival type vendors and not enough traditional foods.

I stopped for lunch at a small little Mom & Pop at the junction of 422 and 168 called The Hill House. I noticed a bunch of working vehicles and trucks in the small parking lot so that help me decide to try it. I enjoyed the Haddock fish sandwich and some old fashioned Mac&Cheese; so much for portion control. I also stopped at a place along the road to pick up some local corn feed beef for a Pot Roast dinner.

Along route 18, closer to New Castle Pa, the Amish begin to be noticed. I had to stop and purchase something from one of the roadside stands they have. The kids were glad to greet me and Mother came out to take care of business. The potatoes looked good with earth still covering them.

The total calorie intakes today are well over 2000, more like 3000. If you are going to visit Oram’s remember that they open at 5am and close at 2pm week days and Saturday and are closed Sunday.

South West PA Waterfalls

June 30, 2008

A friend and I went to photograph nearby waterfalls. These falls are not well advertised in the southwestern PA location. We have had a good amount of rain the last few weeks so the water flow was strong.
While we explored, a group of Amish youth gathered at one of the waterfalls. They all arrived in horse drawn buggies. Three buggies in all delivered about six teens, all male. They must have been doing the Amish right of rebellion that the youth are permitted to engage in when they turn 16 or some age around then. They smoked cigarettes and seemed to enjoy hanging out with a few non-Amish friends that had rock music going out of their car.

My personal opinion is let them have fun. The Amish might not be perfect but they live a life much less displeasing to Jesus than most of the rest of us; that is for sure.