A Pennsylvania Chautauqua

As promised, today we went to Pennsylvania to meet with our friends Steve and Caroline. Nadine and Caroline were in the same cohort at UW, and were fast friends early on. Steve and Caroline were gracious hosts for multiple backyard grill-outs and parties, since they were the only "real people" that we hung out with on a regular basis (translation: they had a house, not an apartment).

Steve and Caroline in Mt. Gretna today.

A few months ago they moved back to Philadelphia, heralding the break-up of our circle of friends. The parting was not so bitter, though, because we knew that we would have this extra time in Shepherdstown and could drive up to Pennsylvania and meet with them. So, this morning we got up and hit the road at around 9:15 AM, headed for Mt. Gretna, PA.

125 scenic miles of mountains, trees, streams, and sunlight.

We took a very scenic route, driving up through Maryland, over mountains and through state parks, then into Pennsylvania, where we carefully skirted Gettysburg on our way east. I say carefully, because even though we were not driving through the battlefield itself, I still complained of a heightened blood pressure, quickened heartbeat, shortness of breath, and nervous tapping once I started recognizing road names. For those of you that don't know, the first time I was on the battlefield there, about twelve years ago, my parents were barely able to slow the car down to a tolerable speed before I was literally leaping out of the moving vehicle. Therefore, I think I was quite well-behaved, given the circumstances.

While on the road, however, Nadine let it slip why she and Caroline had picked Mt. Gretna: there was a major Arts and Crafts festival going on. Now, normally, I hate arts and crafts festivals like some people hate clowns, so suffice it to say that I would have been happy to turn the car around and head back to Gettysburg.

My reaction to the news that we were going to an Arts and Crafts Festival.

But, we had friends to meet, and they would have been less than enthused about the Civil War battlefield nearby. I was a little surly, especially when traffic got crazy and women pushing strollers down the middle of the road were playing chicken with our Honda.

Yet although it was crowded, it was a good time. The trio of Nadine, Steve, and Caroline got some lunch (french fries, an orzo salad, and a quesadilla, respectively) at "The Goodie Shoppe," and we sat on hay bales and chowed down.

Nadine and Steve outside of the Goodie Shoppe, one of the largest food tents I've ever seen outside of the Midwest.

Then it was on to the booths. There were a lot of nice things and a lot of kitschy things, but after a while of wandering we finally came upon the artist Phill Singer's booth. I couldn't resist this painting:

and we wound up getting it and its lovely frame. It will live at Fred and Sarah's for the next year, then come home with us.

Just one (of many, many, many others) humorous piece of kitsch. Wyatt, for some reason it reminds me of you.

Mt. Gretna is a nice little community, mainly composed of vacation houses. It was founded in the 1890s, as a Chautauqua, or center of learning. The Methodists founded a number of these throughout the country, and they helped drive the Populist movement of that era. At one time, before the Chautauqua was even there and all that existed was a chestnut grove, President Benjamin Harrison came out and picnicked in the woods. Unfortunately, it is definitely NOT built to handle the thousands of festival-goers that were there today.

One of many signs adorning Mt. Gretna's streets.

The congestion that backed up country roads for miles.

After we got the painting, we continued on and stopped by a woman with a selection of musical instruments, most notably her washtub bass and her band-mate's Harpolin, or Harpolin-bowed psaletery. Essentially, it is a harp that sits across the lap, but then it also has a little violin-esque attachment that he plays with a bow using his other hand. It was very unique, and we were fortunate enough to have them play a few songs.

John Kovac and anonymous washtub bass woman.

One of the other performers we found was this guy:

who was putting on a show with a monkey. It was sort of a mix of magic, comedy, and monkey, but was very entertaining. At least to Steve and I. We kept looking at each other, nodding in affirmation that yes, it was good, because yes, it was a monkey.

Finally, we stopped at a small pizzeria and grabbed a couple of slices, a cheesesteak for me, and an ice cream for Nadine. It was okay food, but I think the biggest thing we were looking for was a spot in the shade and somewhere to sit.

A scant couple of hours later and we were home (well, we did take a little bit of time out for soft-serve at the best ice-cream parlor in the world, Nutter's Ice Cream of Sharpsburg, MD). It was a long day, but a lot of fun. And despite my initial skepticism, even the Arts and Crafts was fun, although part of that was undoubtedly the wonderful company that we had. Thanks for the great day, Steve and Caroline, and we hope to see you across the pond!