Close up of a large field of ripe wheat in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 NLT
300 Yards (2 photos) /
This is the back side of the house in Gettysburg that served as Meade’s headquarters. The apex of Pickett’s charge is about 300 yards from this spot. A five minute walk. War was certainly a more personal prospect in those days and the number of generals who were killed is testimony to that reality. Meade did an excellent job here being in command of the Union for only 3 days prior to the battle. However he lost favor when Lee’s battered forces crossed the Potomac into Virginia. It is difficult knowing the scope of the battle and the exhaustion of the forces to see how he could have prevented Lee’s retreat.
The second photo is from the same spot but facing toward the attack. For perspective the trees in the right of the photo are at the High Water Mark of the Confederacy, the hill to the left of the center group of trees is Round Top, the spire monument is to Vermont soldiers and the National Cemetery would be to your right.
Evening Sky /
This is from our campsite in Lancaster.
Old Mill /
This covered bridge in the southern side of Lancaster serves as a frame for the 18th century mill. Unfortunately the mill is on private property and a vigilant, vulgar guy makes certain you know that fact. Clearly he was neither Mennonite or Amish. Or nice. Still a pretty place and worth the slight detour to get here.
I recommend you go to www.thewanderinglensman.com because Dennis Mook captured a horse and buggy exiting this bridge. Not sure when he will post that photo but there are lots of excellent images there to enjoy until he does.
This photo was also modified to remove some distracting elements.
Unexpected Kiss (two photos) /
We met Philip in the Beaon Hill Campground near Intercourse, Pennsylvania. He is an actor from Manhattan on his way to bike across the USA with his French bulldog, Tandy. He stayed two nights that we were there and enjoyed chatting with him. He was the Grinch in the national Broadway tour and that allowed him the resources to make this trip to raise funds for out-of-work stage actors and crews. He said in a normal year’s season, 95,000 people are employed by the NYC theaters - currently fewer than 1,000. He is not making great time but clearing enjoying his journey -as is Tandy riding in a little cart. Your can follow him on Instagram as the Nomadicmanchild or on YouTube as The Unpredicted Journey. We wish him safety and joy on his long ride across this amazing county.
Reaping /
It was clearly a time for cutting the alfalfa(?) fields as we saw team after team at work in the fields. Most of those doing the cutting were doing so with four hourse teams. It looked like hard, hot work but certainly required a skillful hand on the reins. Not quite the work of the lone Amish farmer hoeing the long rows that we saw in Sunday’s post but still they stopped every so often to let the horses rest and to drink.
Crossing /
There are more than twenty covered bridges in Lancaster County. Most of them are still being used to cross small streams. A few are closed to traffic or now in parks or tourist haunts. This one is in everyday use and is pretty busy. The wagon is approaching from the south. Please note the in the right hand side of the photo on this side of the bridge - set up by some entrepreneur, a small vending device for you to get corn to feed the ducks. Cool.
I did a lot of work on this photo. Not my usual practice but there ware several distractions including my truck in view. I took those out and for the first time used Lumina sky replacement for a subtile improvement as the sky looked the same color as the bridge boards with no variation . Anyway, full disclosure - heavily reworked photo.
Toil /
I wonder what life would be like if we still were connected to the earth like the Amish men and women are engaged every day. One thing is certain, no gym needed!
“By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground
from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19 NLT
Honor the Fourth with honor for those who earned it. /
I have no idea who Bernard was other than his simple tombstone in a small cemetery in Southeastern Pennsylvania has a flag and a holder showing that he fought in the War for Independence. Fireworks are in short supply this year, at least officially, why not thank those that provided the opportunity that America presents. Flaws and shortcomings acknowledged our democratic republic is still the best system in the world in this life.
You Read About the "Ol' Swimming Hole" but... /
have you actually seen one in the wild? Here three boys dry off after what must have been a refreshing dip on a 89 degree afternoon in Lancaster area. Neat bridge is a bonus.
SKY! /
Sale /
Like many of the area farms they have shops or roadside stands or something to supplement the income of the farm. This is a very nice quilt and supply shop in the basement of this home. The farm produces lots of eggs for market and has a variety of animals and crops. Driving the roads to find “cold root beer” or “fresh produce” or best of all - “homemade ice cream” is a reward by itself.
Slow Sharp Left /
On a very quiet road in central Lancaster County on a warm summer night I watched several buggies and shays go past, one bike rider and only 4 or 5 cars in nearly an hour. I was waiting for the sun to catch the clouds over the wheat field. THAT photo later this week. This is a father and son heading, who knows where. You could hear the clopping of the horse long before and after you could see the carriage. It was that kind of evening.
Sunset Ride /
I was shooting a wheat field behind me when this young lady rode past quite briskly. I took the image a bit too slow but I did not want to show details as many of the Amish don’t appreciate that, but what a neat moment to recall. Perfect night, perfect light and, most amazing, a place to pull over and take photos.
Significance /
“For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” Hebrews 2: 6,7 NLT
Details /
So you own an old mill with a silo or two and the debate is what kind of window treatment do you have? How about a nice flower box accented with a blue sky reflection. Only in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Wheat & Tree & Cloud /
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Tranquility /
How peaceful and pleasant this scene looks. Very pastoral and quiet and serene. But there is a ton of hard work, manual labor, long days of hoeing, seeding, weeding, painting, milking and a thousand more tasks that must at time seem endless. Yet the routine, the seasons, the Sabbath, the community, the harvest and the family does create a place of contentment and gratitude for the life chosen.
The Pupil /
Learning to rope is hard and possibly hard on the instructor as well. Note how he leans out of the way of the errant rope!
The Instructor /
Young man showing a guest at his farm how to throw a lasso. He uses it to capture the two goats he milks.
