Philly or Bust 2018 – Day 5

It’s been a long time coming, but here we are at the end of the Philly trip.  It was very hard to say goodbye, and I’d have loved having another couple of days to tramp around through history.  But all good things must move to the NEXT good thing so there you go!  Kathy and I got up early while the house was still sleeping and walked through the quiet neighborhood. We did a happy review of our trip and all the adventures, and arrived back to find breakfast in the making. 

We left in a flurry of packing and hugging and grateful, unending thanks.  This time, as we headed up 896 North, we did NOT take a wrong turn and drove into Lancaster smoothly and in good time.  We pulled into a gas station and parked beside an Amish horse and buggy.  Didn’t realize the horse needed that type of fuel!  But we did, and we also needed a rest stop. 

We had decided – on Anita’s recommendation – to check out the Turkey Hill Experience, and we were well pleased with that decision!  I LOVED the giant cow out front, and it even stood still while I tried my hand(s) at milking.  Not very successful there, though.  We were early so we walked a block down the street to a huge antique shop and browsed around in there for about 45 minutes.  It’s always fun to find things that we knew grama had, or Mom STILL had, or even that WE have and even use! 

Turkey Hill is not only a series of small stores, but also a line of drinks (starting with the original milk products) and ice creams.  The whole experience was basically centered around interaction with the processes and procedures of creating the products, including the ice cream.  There were lots of areas for kids to play and create their own flavors and products.  Kath and I picked our own product label, our own ice cream flavor, and even took a hand at driving the delivery truck.  The multi-colored farm cow was really cool, too!  My favorite parts were the local history room, which explained how the family business started in 1887 and was still family-owned to the present day, adding new products along the way.  The second favorite was the ice-cream tasting at the end.  We could even choose two different types to taste.  I remember Kath choosing the coffee flavor (which was NOT a choice for me!) but I had the double dutch chocolate fudge.  Heaven!  I was determined to buy some when I got home (which I DID!).  The gift shop had so many cute cow-related and ice-cream focused items that I could have spent a week’s pay in there.  I contented myself with a little refrigerator magnet (double dutch chocolate of course!) and a mini sized milk bottle (since I have a small collection of those already). 

It was definitely a great diversion from the agony of leaving Philadelphia behind, and by the end of the tour we were ready to head down the turnpike to home.  It was a vacation full of delicious, sweet, precious memories, sweeter family and hearts that share and care and offer their homes and themselves.  And of course, I have the best traveling companion in the world.  Home looked really great about 6pm – home to ones who love us and greet and welcome us.  We have memories to enrich us and delight and sustain us.  We are filled with more thanks than we can express; humble gratitude for what no one can take away:  a wonderful trip tucked in our hearts and minds, living a shared faith, family centered, fun-filled awesome adventure.  Philly or Bust!  PERFECT!!