Road Trip Review ~ Lancaster County, PA

Before I begin sharing our road trip experiences, I must remember all of those who are dealing with the devastation of yesterday's tornado in Oklahoma.  Our nation has a heavy heart as we send prayers and well wishes to everyone touched by this tragic event.  

Last week, Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles Quilters) and I took a wonderful road trip "back East" to Lancaster, PA, then onto Sturbridge/Brimfield, Mass.  We were definitely on a mission in search of vintage fabric, and to hunt for our favorite antiques.  

Our first stop was Lancaster County, PA.  We explored the triangle towns of Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Lancaster, taking in the wonderful....and I mean wonderful sights of the rolling hills and farms.  Everything was so green and lush.  This is Amish country, and the horse-drawn buggies were everywhere.  

Our first stop was to The Old Country Store.  This is a terrific shop with loads of country home decorations and fabric.  Upstairs, you will find a boat load of wonderful, high-quality hand made items, both country and folk-art.  What a treasure!  You'll also find....a small quilt museum!  

These photos don't capture just how lovely this little museum is.  It is very, very nicely done and well worth your time to visit.  They rotate their display from time to time, and each year, they feature a selection of work from a different quilt designer.  Last year, they featured Jo Morton.  This year, it's my pal Lynne Hagmeier! 

As you wander from room to room, you'll find quilts, quilts, and more quilts.

Most are quilts Lynne made, but they also include quilts made by local quilters, such as the adorable Dresden Plate pillow.

All of these tiny miniatures were made by local artists as well.  We really lingered in this shop as there was so much to take in.  

There's some history in this area as well as the towns were settled in the 1700's!  Block after block stand these awesome federal style homes...so charming! 

Lynne and I were both absent from home on Mother's Day as we had to leave a few days before in order to be in Brimfield on Monday.  So, we treated ourselves to Mother's Day brunch on this train as we traveled the Lancaster County countryside.  Very relaxing and yummy!  The train travels the tracks daily, offering lunch and dinner, as well as Wine & Cheese events, and other fun offerings.  

There are a lot of quilt shops in the area, all boasting large inventories and great prices, making this location a "must see" on your bucket list.  We were so taken with this area that we're planning a Great Girlfriend Get-Away here in the future.  We're kinda torn as to what time of year to go back.  Lancaster has a quilt show in March, which would be wonderful, but the chilly weather wouldn't be conducive to strolling all the towns and shops, and the landscape wouldn't be as pretty as it would during the summer months.  We were thinking that perhaps in June, it wouldn't be too hot, and exploring the towns and shops would be more enjoyable, but we'd miss the show.  

Hhmmm....we'd like to know what you think.  If you would be interested in visiting Lancaster County for a retreat, please participate in the poll at the top of the side bar on my blog.  In addition to the retreat, we would either have a bus take us to the quilt show one day in March, or on a shop hop to the many wonderful quilt stores in the county in June.  

It would be a really fun place to visit!  We're off to Brimfield and Sturbridge, Mass in my next post.