Oct 1-2, Pennsylvania/Maryland and Family

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Today, after a quick stop at LA Fitness in York,  we meet my brother John and wife Yvonne at their house in York.  John is the oldest of my siblings and is moving permanently to Port Charlotte, Florida in just a few days. Both are exercising and eating well and looking good!

   Their house is on the market and they have a last minute showing, so we meet outside and John gives us a quick tour of the neighborhood.  Nice area. Their home is gorgeous and has already sold once, but fell through.  Their new house in Florida will be the first where John hasn’t totally re-done the kitchen.

We hop into their car and head to Roots Country Market and Auction in Lancaster.  Across the Susquehanna River - we'll be seeing this often in the weeks to come.  

Lots of scenic farmland.

 It is a very old market, held only on Tuesdays.  Lots of Pennsylvania Dutch  things, fresh produce, furniture, live animals, etc. 

 We bought some corn and sticky buns to share with Anita and Kevin.  John treated us to Pit Beef sandwiches for lunch….(like brisket without the bbq)…something I don't remember seeing before.  Nice to visit and catch up a bit with them!

Back to Anita‘s.  Bad news. Kevin had a doctor appointment today and found out he needs surgery for a malignant tumor on his kidney!  They found it , almost by chance, on a scan last week when he had a bout of aspiration pneumonia.  Sarah, Nick’s wife who is a nurse, went with him to the appointment. They think the cancer is encapsulated (hasn't spread) and won't know how involved in the kidney's operation it is till they do the surgery, which is scheduled for next month. 

Sarah brings the grandkids over for a fun distraction and we play and have pizza, joined by Nick when he gets off work.  Kevin bought them a toy car that uses foot power, and Knox is pretty proficient in driving it around the yard! 

 Wednesday, October 2

 Since Anita & Kevin have a full day of work, we decide to explore a bit today, driving down to Catoctin area in Maryland, which is near Camp David.

We pass by a beautiful horse farm and enjoy watching a herd thundering across the pasture.  By the time we stop, they have too.  They are curious and come to the fence where Beth is standing, but lose interest when there is no food forthcoming.

The Catoctin area has mountains, orchards, and markets. 

 Lots of flowers to attract bees to the orchards.

We take a short detour to Roddy Road covered bridge, built in 1856, over a pretty stream.

 Cunningham Falls State Park is next.  The falls, tallest cascading falls in Maryland, is a bit less than spectacular, but the wooded trail there is nice.

These wooly caterpillars thought so too.

We next follow the Charcoal Trail, a loop that passes the remains of the charcoal business that once flourished here, making fuel for the nearby Catoctin Iron Furnace.

 Remains of a sled used to move logs.

 Replica of hut used by the men tending the charcoal pits.

From here we go north, back to Pennsylvania and Michaux State Forest.  Lots of nice wooded land interspersed with small farms. We stop at the State Forest District Office to get a camping permit for dispersed camping.  A nearby place called Bonfire was suggested for a late lunch/early dinner.  Basic burgers and sandwich place that was good. 

Passing Caledonia State Park, old stomping grounds, we head north and find a nice quiet campsite.  Some other folks arrive and go for a hike, but leave us alone for the evening.  

We sit outside and are treated to a gorgeous sunset and cricket serenade.