Greg and I have been away—-away on vacation. It has been good. We needed some down time; some time away from the usual and stressful.
We, accompanied by five other families, returned once again to one of our favorite places in the whole world–the Ohio Amish country. In that beautiful part of the US of A we find tranquility and a balm for our rushed and harried selves. In a day when everything has an immediacy and a sense of urgency attached to it, the Amish offer us a reminder that life is about more than social media, conferences, blog posts, and bill paying. It is in this place I am reminded afresh of the importance of family, quality time, friendships, and relaxation. I most assuredly needed the reminder.
It seems we chose the hottest week of the decade to vacation in Ohio. The temps flirted with both sides of 100 degrees most of our vacation.On our way up to Ohio, we stayed in Ashland, Kentucky the first night at a new KOA campground that was situated next door to the Kentucky Veterans Memorial Park. It was hot as blue blazes, as my outdoor thermometer evidences. This was taken in the SHADE at 6:30pm as you can see. My nephews cooled off in the pool and the rest of us should have followed their lead. Lord, have mercy. I digress.
102 in the shade at 6:30pm. Ridiculous!
The Veterans Memorial was beautiful and very touching. Here are a few pics.
 I was touched by the Bible verses on this plaque. The memorial park is new but many of the plaques and headstones belonged to men and women who had been killed in action IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. Young men and young women. God bless them.
We got to Ohio, set up the fifth-wheel and we were good to go for a week.
Home away from home in Ohio!
Over the course of the week, we rode the country roads of Holmes and Wayne counties, passing horses and buggies carrying the cutest little kids you ever saw. We attended the Kidron auction where we watched calves being auctioned off. No, I was not tempted to bring one home with me.
Beautiful buggy at Kidron, OH
In line to weigh in and sell a cow at the Kidron auction.
I confess I don’t do well in temperatures that would fry an egg on the pavement. However, I still managed some significant outdoor time to read and relax in the shade of our camper. I saved Joel Rosenberg’s latest fiction offering, The Tehran Initiative, on my nookColor for this trip and it did not disappointed me. It is gripping, thrilling and a huge reminder to pray for our nation and prepare for war.
One of the things we love to do when we are in Holmes/Wayne counties in Ohio, is simply ride the backroads and see the beautiful scenery and landscape. The Amish farmers were shocking wheat while we were there.
Wheat that has been shocked! Beautiful!
Two crops planted alternately in Ohio
The highlight of our trip was a visit or two with our Amish friends, the Keims. They are a delightful family who always welcome us into their lives and we try to return the favor. Our group hosted them for dinner one evening and then we all (25 of us) went to their home to visit and watch the kids play volleyball. Several from our group had never met the Keim family. Willis Keim is always so gracious and willing to take anyone who wants to go for a buggy ride. We had a chance to see the Keims’ new baby chicks, as well as their new horse. The horses used by the Amish to pull their buggies are generally retired race horses and they are magnificent creatures. Belgian horses are also used to pull the farm equipment and do the work around the farms. They, too, are quite awesome to behold.
Here are all the young people after a rousing game of volleyball at the Keim’s home.
No trip to Ohio would be complete without a visit to Hershberger’s—the mecca of wonderful fresh veggies and incredible ‘fry pies’. We might have consumed way too many calories in the form of ‘fry pies’ and cinnamon rolls. It was delish!!
I’ve always called them ‘fried pies’ but Hershberger’s calls them ‘fry pies’.
Of all the wonderful things we brought home, my very favorite is my new clothes drying rack. I had used a flimsy one for years that I bought at a discount store. When I found this sturdy, tall one I tried to talk myself out of it because it was NOT cheap. Greg declared I needed it and off he went to the checkout stand with it. I love it!! The dowel rods where you hang the clothes are as big around as a broom handle and it is at least five and a half feet tall. Yes, I’m easily pleased and amused.
My new drying rack…..yes, it’s the little things in life!
Oh we had a wonderful vacation, but I was surely glad to see the north Georgia mountains and be back in my own home. Vacations are wonderful and a blessing from God, but home….ah, home is what makes my heart sing.
Thanks for allowing me to share our vacation with you.
