Imagine that you are a young man living in the late 1700s, the time of the Revolutionary War. Your government needs you to fight but it has no money to pay you.
What it does have is land. Lots and lots of land.
And so it tells you, “If you’ll fight in this war, you will be given 250 acres of Pennsylvania dirt.”
And so you fight. And you survive.
And when the war ends, you move to that land and you clear it and settle it. You raise a house out of the ground using nothing more than your own wits, hand-hewn tools, and the trees that grow everywhere around you. And you raise your family there.
And that house and a few after it are finally replaced in the late 1980s with a new family home standing proudly on old family land.
Steve and I got to stay in the middle of all that history, in the house that now belongs to the latest in the family lineage, Steve’s cousin, Rene, and his wife, Andrea. (Who is a fabulous hostess and cook.)
The house is so lovely and inviting and the grounds that surround it are the very definition of peace. When I wasn’t wandering the back roads in Amish country and taking photos, I was wandering the grounds surrounding the home and taking photos of the serenity there.
I hope the photos will help start your week off with a quiet sigh of silence and contentment.
Welcome to your own personal jaunt through rural Pennsylvania.
(Note: I am using a different format for displaying a photo album. Some of the photos have captions which you can see by hovering over the photo. You can double click on any photo to see it full screen.)
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A couple of bonus photos:
As Steve and I were driving on the Pennsylvania turnpike, I snapped a photo to send to our brother-in-law Randy who had traveled full-time with us for seven years. Back in the day, the turnpike was not at all pleasant to travel, very rough and bumpy. I wanted to share the improvement with him. When he texted back he wrote, “Is that near Somerset?”
The guy has not been to Pennsylvania in over 25 years and nails the town where we were driving by looking at one photo? I just had to share that bit of amazingness with you.
I’ll close with a bonus “guess what this is” photo.
This is an antique item that Rene and Andrea had. I had no clue what it was until they explained it to me. In the comments, let me know what you think it is.
What about you? Are you a person who loves jaunts through the country or do you prefer the sights of the city?
Both of them definitely have their unique kind of beauty.
Becky, can’t remember if I already commented or not, but I love the lines on the inside structure of the covered bridge!
Love,
Fred & Lucy
Fred and Lucy,
Thanks for noticing that. I thought the lines were pretty cool, too!
I cheated and showed my husband of the secret item? His guess is that it is some sort of light. His guess not mind.
Ou,
That’s not cheating; all guessing input is welcome! 🙂 I could actually see it being some sort of light but that’s not it, either!
I like both country and city jaunts – the architecture of city buildings is magnificent, especially some of the old churches and cathedrals. Country has old barns, fields of corn, wheat and soybeans. Plus wildlife like deer, wild turkey and snakes (YUCK!). My parents live in a small town so not city or country really. Their view this week was a dead armadillo laying on the side of the road right in front of their house. Oh my!
That thing looks like a modern day neti pot, doubt that’s what it is. Your pictures are beautiful.
Phyllis,
Churches, cathedrals, barns, soybeans . . . and dead armadillos. There are a lot of things to see in this world, aren’t there? 🙂
Is that a potty?
Deborah,
Good guess but that’s not it! 🙂
Hi Becky,
I am glad you had the time to explore while you were here. I agree, Pennsylvania is a beautiful state, especially the area you visited. Your photos are wonderful as always. Although I live in the suburbs, not the city itself, I am definitely a country girl at heart. While I enjoy visiting and attending events like the symphony, plays etc, in the city, I am happiest exploring small towns, country back roads, etc. I am extremely fortunate to have had a friend in Boise, and loved visiting her. (She did visit here a couple of times.) One of my favorite trips with here was Boise to Portland, Oregon, down the Oregon coast, over to Crater Lake and back to Boise. We had no reservations, and stopped, where and when we wanted. One of our lunches was cheese (bought at the cheese factory), crackers, and wild blackberries (picked along the road). We also explored other areas of Idaho and one year vacationed in Glacier National Park. Unfortunately, she passed away almost 2 years ago and I am so glad She was my friend.
Stay safe and healthy, God bless.
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
That trip with your friend down the Oregon coast sounds like absolute perfection. To just be able to wander with no timetable or obligation through breathtaking scenery is one of the best things this life can offer–especially to be able to do it with a friend.
So glad you had that adventure with her as well as many others. Although she is gone, those precious memories always live on.
I have discovered that I have six generations ago family who came from Europe to the York/Lancaster area of Pennsylvania. We had hoped to make a long road trip there this fall, but that isn’t going to happen. Would be interesting to find out how my family got their land. Lovely photos!
No clue about the pot but it is a treasure.
Liz,
Yes, you definitely investigate how the land came into the family; I’m sure there are interesting stories waiting to be told. Here’s hoping you’ll be able to take that road trip sooner rather than later.
This may help you in your search to see if any of your ancestors got their land through service in the Revolutionary War: http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17DonationLandSeries/DonationLandM. Hope this gets through. Have not had luck posting to blogs on this blog host from this computer in YEARS.
Jan,
Hooray! Your comment came through. Thanks for the helpful link for Liz!
I love going on drives! And I love looking at old homesteads, etc.
We lived on the East Coast for awhile growing up. I remember going to Amish country in Pa. And in Boston, I loved all of it- Paul Revere’s house, Plymouth Rock, Freedom Trail and so much more! I also loved seeing president’s old homes- Washington and Jefferson; Mount Vernon and Monticello. So cool to see those places.
As for that ‘thing’, I think it is a tea pot of some sort?
Krista,
You’re fortunate to have gotten to see so many interesting places while growing up. It’s one thing to study about them in history books but another thing to experience them in real life.
Excellent guess. You are getting closer!
Beautiful countryside! I was born in Philly, left when I was 2 and never went back. I am a country mouse. Here’s the 3 places where I would be so happy: The mountains of Vermont, the rolling green land of Ireland(with all rain and fog) or next to the ocean with a foghorn. Oh and Austria, I would totally enjoy that.
A gravy boat would be too obvious, a neti pot is too recently invented so what else could that thing be? A plant waterer is too easy. Hmmm. How about a tea pourer? Ha!
Lesley,
Sounds like we love the same type of places. I just Googled the mountains of Vermont since I hadn’t seen many photos; lovely indeed!
And Austria with its mountains and castles? All about it!
Your deductions are correct on the mysterious item although no correct guesses yet.
What beautiful photos of a gorgeous part of the country! I’ve never been to Pennsylvania, but hope to visit one day. I have a cousin that lives in Philly, but we’ve never visited. I much prefer the country over the city. Cities are fun to visit, but I’d never want to live in or near one. My guess, like everyone else’s, is a gravy boat, although it does look like it could be a neti pot sort of thing.
Gayle,
I’m like you; I love to visit cities but wouldn’t want to live in one. You’ll truly have to visit PA one day. A gorgeous state.
Thanks for the guesses!
Netti Pot, best thing ever. Allergies have been so awful this year and literally has saved my sanity with all that is going on. If I felt bad during these times I would not be responsible for my actions. LOL Stay safe!
Deb,
It IS very similar to a Netti Pot but it’s not. Having said that, I’m glad to know the Netti Pot is a sanity saver! 🙂
HI, long time reader, first time commenter. Is that a gravy boat?
Sarah from Marylad
Sarah,
Hooray–a new commenter! Welcome to the wonderful world of Smithellaneous comments.
That’s a good guess because it looks very much like the gravy boat I use. But nope, not a gravy boat.
I love drives thru the country. I also like walking thru old downtown districts. Your photos are stunning and perfectly posed with light and color. I remember watching Bridges of Madison County and he commented on waiting for just the right moment of light. My first thought of the mystery item was a netty pot butl then I thought gravy boat. Interested to find out.
Patti,
You said the key word when you said OLD downtown districts. My favorite is the old downtowns of small southern towns. It’s like time stands still.
Thank you for the compliment on my photos. You’re so right about light making all the difference in a photo. Photography is literally “writing with light” so that makes sense.
I don’t have to go far to travel through Pennsylvania. I live in central Pennsylvania. Many of your pictures could have taken in my neighbor. Old covered bridges, Amish with clothes on the line, many old out buildings. Acres of grass to mow, and antique farm equipment. The green goes on forever. I love Pennsylvania and i am glad you enjoyed your visit..
I am also in central PA & love it as well! It’s just so beautiful!
Emily,
How lucky you are to get to live there. Absolutely LOVE it.
Catherine,
The green goes on forever. I love that line. And it’s so true. Those expanses of fields and farms and grass just bring absolute peace to my heart.
Enjoy your lovely land.
I think I am a mix? I love the feeling of the captial in Denmark. Especially since there is a wonderful book store where you can get the best home made chai. And I love old buildings too.
However you can see that in smaller cities or towns too. At the moment on holiday in a small town.
And I love my mon lives close to the country side.
So I am not sure. I do know I do not want to live in a captial but I am glad to live not far away. I could not imagine in the countryside either. So I do not know. I am a mix
Have you ever seen The White House?
Katrina,
Yes, I have seen the White House a couple of times although never taken a tour.
I think being a mix makes perfect sense–you have just found things to appreciate about ALL the places you get to visit. Both city and country offer their own sort of magic. And I am glad along with you that your mom lives close to the country side.
If there was a lid, I’d say it is definitely a genie lamp. Lol So cool looking. My real guess would be a gravy boat. (?)
The pictures you took are breathtaking!!
I’m a city girl at heart but do so love the ‘country’ type of life I live!
Lee Anne,
Genie lamp is the most creative guess so far!
City at heart; country at life. A great combination.
Your “mystery” photo looks like a very fancy Netti Pot. I can’t wait to find out what it really is! Thanks for all the peaceful photos – perfect for the week ahead as we take a “crash course” in teaching in person & virtual at the same time (which we found out Friday will begin a week from today).
Sue Ellen,
I’m glad the peaceful photos are getting your week off to a good start.
A Netti Pot it’s not but it’s a good guess! 🙂
Hmmm, if you put a lid on it and rub it – might a genie pop out? If not, I think it might be a gravy “boat.” At least that is what I would use it for. Such beautiful pictures and yes, when we travel in the country, it is so interesting passing old run down barns and homes that have not been lived in for years. Wish I had a metal detector and tall boots (in case of snakes) to poke around. We noticed this year that there seemed to be (at least to me) an abundance of corn crops. Some soy beans too. I pray for farmers as they begin to plant and as they harvest. We are blessed to have them provide food for us, no matter where they are.
Sharyn,
So true that we are blessed by the labor of our stalwart farmers and their families, whether in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or North Carolina or any other state. (Or country.) I am so grateful for each one.
I’m glad you also see the beauty in rundown barns and houses that have stood vacant for years. Each has a story to tell.
I knew that was a real Mustang! Be still my heart! Beautiful history and land.
Guerrina,
I got to ride in it; I felt like we were going about 100 but I think it was only about 60. The noise and the feel of the car make it seem much faster.
Glad you enjoyed your Mustang glimpse of the day. 🙂