A Trip To The Bretheren

I just returned from a 3 day mini-vacation over in Lancaster. Cynthia & I were visiting "Amish country". It's very pastoral and bucolic. Gentle rolling hills reveal sporadic grain silos to the horizon. The back roads are picturesque, and they are really quite peaceful and serene - which leads me to the point of this missive. Is the Amish and Mennonite social structure affecting the area? Is a slower lifestyle, well - infectious? If so, I'd like to return to that area and breathe deeply in hopes of catching some of it.

Of course, as "English" (anyone who is not Amish), we were very interested in their culture and religion. We visited a few tourist information centers, and did a self-guided covered bridge tour (it was amazing how well Cynthia could navigate with a cheap, hotel tourist map). We passed numerous Amish buggies (that's got to be one dangerous ride), and we even bought a couple of souvenirs. Then it hit both of us: the Amish are being indirectly exploited. The number of "Amish Cafes", "Amish Farms", and "Amish Houses" is really staggering. To have built up such an industry around such simplicity is a standing tribute to human imagination and the capitalist way of life; I wonder what Adam Smith would think if he were alive (but then if he were alive, he'd be clawing madly at his coffin lid).

The trip to Lancaster and back took us through the Appalachian Mountains (well they call them mountains back here, but there are "hills" in Portland that are higher). These mountains are considered to be one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The are characterized by sharp ridges, and 4-5 loooooong tunnels that cut through them (driving around would be insane).

One thing I have to compliment is PennDOT (the state transportation authority). They sure do work hard on the roads. Lots of work ... about every 5 miles, work. This means that a 200 mile, 3 1/2 hour trip usually takes about 4 1/2 - 5 hours. The upside is, you get an opportunity to take in a lot more of the beautiful surrounding landscape.

And how are the drivers in Pennsylvania? Generally they are courteous, polite, and safe. Oh sure, you get the odd hot-rod pilot, but it's not like Los Angeles - not even by a whole stretch of imagination. Penn drivers don't make a game out of cutting you off from your exit, or view the use of turn-signals as a sign of weakness. Although I doubt the Pennsylvania State Troopers are as courteous and equitable as the California Highway Patrol, they are numerous, visible (and occasionally invisible), and will definitely get you if you're acting like a laxative with your Lexus.

Well, I have to go milk the cows, and shovel off the buffalo ....

Pete