Lititz, Lancaster County

This is actually a cute little town with a very picturesque main street with lots of little stores.  We had a cup of wonderful loose leaf tea at Cafe Chocolate of Lititz.

We were not in love with these mugs, our old bones need to use handles.

Had to check out Ewebiquitous.  Great little yarn store.  Didn't buy anything though.

Saw this dog who is actually cocking his leg at another store.  If it hadn't been over $200 would have bought it and put it on our front step as a joke.

The town square of Lititz.

The building behind the sign is the Wilbur Chocolate Factory and Museum.  We did bring home some of the milk chocolate for the kids.  It wasn't too bad we were quite impressed.  The museum needs work, but it doesn't cost anything to look around.

Saw this sign for this store.  We decided we would give this place a pass.  

We ate lunch at The Tomato Pie Cafe and it was really good.  We had quiche, salad and a herb scone, and really enjoyed it, would highly recommend it.

We did stop by Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, but didn't do the tour.  I did buy one of their hot pretzels and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's the first I have ever had a hot pretzel and it was good, and only cost $1.

Overall a good way to spend a few hours.  Lots of on street parking costing 25 cents per half hour!!!

The mystery of the elevators.

I swear some things just puzzle me and then get on your nerves..........

At the hotel we stayed in there were two elevator doors in the lobby:

When we left our room on the 7th floor, there were three elevator doors:

Never noticed or thought much about it to start with but I did eventually notice how odd this was after going up and down a couple of times.  Just could never figure out where the third door went too.  Then add in we are going senile and couldn't remember if we had got on all elevators; we swore we had, this was turning out to be a puzzle.

Finally asked the guy behind the desk and the door furthest away in the photo above, is not in use.  The hotel has 9 floors and only floors 3 through 9 are in use and floors 1 and 2 have not been renovated yet.  They have put a false wall up on the ground floor so you only have access to the two doors and the third elevator doesn't work at all.

We then got talking to one guy and he said had we noticed how the middle elevator door always stopped at the first floor, which is where the hotel admin is at the moment.  I said I had figured it was ghosts or something???  He said that floor was where the old lobby was.  It is now on the ground floor.

Glad I got all this sorted out as it would have driven me crazy!!

Some thoughts about our trip.

We love going to the States.  They are such a patriotic bunch, flying the American flag everywhere. They truly believe their country is the best and I admire them for that.  Only once did someone mention how bad Obama is and as I said to him, "who would you prefer him or Donald Trump, running the country?"

He muttered something and as I then said, I was from Canada, and honestly we are no better off with the bunch of "misfits" we have running to be the next Prime Minister!

As many of you know, we are British born and as we came to Canada when we were in our 20's, we still have our British accents (dh and I;) the kids though sound as Canadian as the next person.  It totally confuses everyone and for some reason American's love hearing us talk?

Anyhow, we have got our response down pat now when people ask where we come from:

"We are British born, but live in Canada."

I must admit I think I blushed bright red from head to toe though one day, as I was talking to a cashier when I noticed another lady standing next to me, just looking at me.  I thought I was holding up things, and of course I apologized......I am Canadian after all...LOL  We apologize for everything, whether it's our fault or not.  Anyway she said no she was enjoying listening to me talk, and then turned around and told her friend to come and listen to me talk.  At that point I just clammed up, as I couldn't think of a thing to say.  

I honestly don't think about my accent and it surprises me when people notice I speak differently, as I never hear it.

The majority of the people are so well mannered; at least with us.  I guess it helps that we always say please and thank you, and if a job is well done I will let people know.  Whenever I talked to the ladies who took care of our hotel room, I always said thank you for a job well done.  I did find though that some people were just plain rude with people especially in the fast food places.

We were in one place and the daughter who was my age or older and her mother, were just plain bloody rude to the girl behind the counter.  Now granted she was as slow as molasses, but even so, don't be rude and disrespectful.  

I finally said to the mother and daughter, "you both seem to be having a bad day?"

Now I am not sure if it was my accent or someone spoke to them, but they both stood there with their mouth's open!!!  I don't remember what they said, but their attitude didn't change with the poor server.....LOL

My only gripe........I wish the exchange rate had been better, as I couldn't/wouldn't/didn't spend anywhere near as much as I normally do when do there.  The one thing we did find cheaper was the gas/petrol; they have super cheap prices for gas and we paid as low as $2.26 USD per gallon.

I look forward to our next visit to the States.  

More photos from taken from the train in Strasburg.

Corn maze, with a person watching over so you don't get lost.

 A barn with the sides open to let the tobacco dry.

We couldn't see a lot as the corn was so high. 

 Getting ready to do some work.

Spreading cow muck....in the background those are "hotel rooms." 

 A closer up look at the tobacco drying.

Back Home........

Tired though.  Had a straight forward drive back.  The only "exciting" thing that happened, we got stuck with the custom agent who had too much time on his hands!!!

As well as the usual questions about where we stayed, he wanted to know why we went there.  So mentioned the Amish and Mennonites.  Asked us if we were Amish or Mennonites how many British accented Amish or Mennonites are they in the world?

Asked how much we spent and then wanted to know what we spent it on.  So then I started on about the Peppa Pig ball pit, and Thomas the Tank Engine.  That shut him up!!  I guess he was only doing his job, and you know two "middle-aged" people with British accents would look a bit dodgy!

Will need to rest up and will get back to normal in a day or two.

Thomas and Percy...........

We went to Strasburg to the have a ride on the train.

And who did we bump into; Thomas the Tank Engine:

and Percy......

There were so many excited children there.  We didn't go on those trains, we decided to go on the regular train.  We decided first class was the way to go:

Very comfy seats and air conditioned.  Plus there was a wood stove for the winter.

 I will post more photos from the train ride.  We enjoyed it, but will admit to enjoying the looks on the little kids' faces when they saw Thomas or Percy.  If you want to learn more about the Strasburg Railroad Company, please click on this link.

St. James Church, Lancaster

My photos will not do this place justice but it was a lovely church from the outside; it wasn't open to go inside.  Plus the church yard was very interesting.

 I have never seen raised graves like that before.

 There was a number of graves with the informational plaques and flags beside them.

 I thought this plant was pretty.  No sure what is is.

We were talking to a local guy...............no shocker there for people who know me and he was saying that all the stained glass windows are lit up at night and are stunning.  However despite the fact this is a very safe city I have no desire to wander around when it's dark!!

You can read more about the church here and see what the inside looks like.