Day 1 - NYC to Frederick, MD

Our first day is a long one, but a good one.  We started out a bit late because of issues from our cancelled flight from Tulsa.  We spent most of the evening driving around all three New York area airports looking for Erin's bag.  Luckily, we eventually found it at LaGuardia.

Anyway, our first stop was the exotic Clifton, NJ (note: not actually exotic in any way) to pick up a car charger for our phones.  Since we don't own a car, we don't keep these types of gadgets on hand.  Oddly, Barnes and Noble was the only place that stocked the charger I needed.

We traveled west to Phillipsburg, NJ for our first stop.  We didn't know anything about the area, but it turned out to be very charming.  It borders Easton, PA.

Welcome to PA!

We stopped at a gas station where we parked next to a car with swastikas and pictures of Hitler.  Inside were angry-looking tattooed people.  It turns out neo-Nazis frequent the area.  An interesting welcome to Pennsylvania.

We then headed to Allentown for the Liberty Bell Shrine.  The Liberty Bell was hidden from the British during the Revolutionary War when it was whisked from Philadelphia to Allentown.

Replica Bell

It turns out all 50 states have a replica bell.  Maybe someday we'll visit all 50?  OK, maybe not.

The rest of Allentown isn't looking so good.  The area really seems to have fallen on hard times.  We stopped to eat at Cali Burrito, because Erin is obsessed with Mexican food.  Interestingly, she chose a Mediterranean-inspired burrito and liked it.  I am going to remember this next time.  Isn't a pita wrap pretty much the same thing as a burrito?  Apparently Allentown has a large Middle Eastern population.

After Allentown we headed to Pennsylvania Dutch country.  I saw a sign for a Folk Festival, so we went.  Road trips are fun because you can take detours.  Here is what we found.

Erin looks at soap while a lady crafts wooden decorations.

Erin gets a hand scrub!

Some booths next to a red cooling house.

Sometimes the booths are in tents.

You can bring rabbits.

Or baby ducks.

Or even llamas!

This was the Kutztown folk festival.  Unfortunately, we were rushed out by a storm.

A very wet cafeteria.

When it rains, you get to eat Apple Dumplings!

An old-fashioned mule-driven carousel.  

Oh, and there was one more exciting attraction.

I suppose if Erin ever dies, she would be an interesting option.

OK, maybe not.

Perhaps one of these girls is an option?

After the rain forced us out, we headed to dinner in Intercourse, PA.  It wasn't anything particularly special, but it was fun to eat with the Amish.

Very old place.

Notice Erin's friends in the background.

Our friendly dinner restaurant in Intercourse.

After dinner we battled rain to get to Frederick.  We checked in and immediately went to bed.  We made it south of the Mason-Dixon in one day!  (I should known when my tea came loaded with sugar!)