Last Stop: Manheim, Pennsylvania. I hope the weather is more cooperative.

Every adventure has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This is stop #24 on our 6,000-mile adventure. We’re at the end. The end of a wonderful trip that had us visiting so many states for the very first time. Hang on. I think I’m getting a little ahead of myself. There is, of course, one more stop to recount, and that’s the stop in Manheim, PA. We have visited Manheim before and even written a blog post about our trip. This location is perfect for a final stop for a couple of reasons:  

• It’s only a day’s drive to our home in Massachusetts (a long day).
• My brother and his wife live a short distance away.
• There are many attractions and lots to see in this area of eastern Pennsylvania (only 80 miles east of Philadelphia).

Armed with the possibility of having weather that was more cooperative than the relentless rain we experienced at our last stop, we headed south toward the city of Lancaster. We were surprised at the size of Lancaster, situated between the big cities of Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Thanks to Judy’s diligent searching, we were lucky enough to score tickets to an off-Broadway show at the Fulton Theater. We got great seats up front, close to the stage, to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. The musical was very successful on Broadway and features many of Carole King’s original songs that were so nostalgic for Judy and me. But here was the rub. I felt like I was watching the show with the entire Lancaster County Senior Center. The matinee performance, in the middle of the week, was primarily attended by seniors who all knew each other and appeared to have been transported in from the surrounding area for the performance. Judy and I were the “young couple” in the audience. LOL.

Outside Fulton Theatre for Beautiful- The Carole King Musical.

We were not done exploring Lancaster. Not at all. We returned for a History and Food Walking Tour a couple of days later. We love our food & walking tours, especially when the tour guide mixes in a lot of area history, and we were not disappointed with the Red Rose Walking Food Tour. One of the first stops on our tour was the Lancaster Central Market. This historic market, one of the largest that Judy and I have seen (and we have seen a lot of them), was originally deeded a market way back in 1730 as part of the settlement of Lancaster. Now housed in a 20,000 sq. ft. rather imposing red brick building, we made numerous stops at many of the food vendors. We had gourmet pickles, sweet potato salad, apple pie, and these amazing soft pretzels that we returned after the tour to purchase more of. This is also the food tour that had us stopping at Seasons Specialty Shop, where I purchased some fantastic infused olive oil and raspberry infused balsamic vinegar. But it was not all about food on this walking tour.  As we walked through the city blocks of Lancaster, we stopped once again at the Fulton Theater. This time we were on the sidewalk behind the building where there is a historical marker commemorating the massacre of the Conestoga Indians. The back wall of the theater is the remnant wall of the Lancaster jail, which is where, on December 27, 1763, the Paxton Boys broke past the sheriff and others defending the jail and murdered all the remaining Conestoga Indians who were being housed in the jail in protective custody. Another terrible example of man’s inhumanity to man.

Memorial Plaque Back Wall Fulton Theatre

Lancaster Walking Food Tour, Steinman Park

Not only did I get to visit with my brother, but Judy got a chance to reconnect with a childhood friend. The perception of the RV lifestyle as being one adventure after another is very much true (just read the last 40 or so blog posts).  As much as we enjoy the thrill of rolling into a new town or city, we especially enjoy the occasions when we get to visit with friends and relatives. During our stop in Lancaster, we had the opportunity to have dinner with one of Judy’s friends from Oradell, NJ. We met Allison and her charming husband Doug at a great restaurant called the Rising Sun Kitchen and Bar. The conversation was fun and nostalgic, and we lingered at the table deep in conversation for quite some time. So, if you’re a reader of this blog, and we’re coming to a town near you, please do not hesitate to reach out for a get-together. It would be great to be able to catch up with you and make you part of the fabric of our journeys. 

Judy & Allison @ Rising Sun Kitchen & Bar

This was our last stop, and as much as we wanted to linger and savor the delightful memories of the trip, we were also anxious to get home to Massachusetts. Sunday morning found us rising early for the final pack-up of the trip. The next 300 miles would be the last miles of the trip on familiar roads towards a familiar destination.

And just like that, we’re home, living in a house with a foundation, and not wheels. We will be nesting here in Massachusetts for the next six months. I will be having knee surgery and will be using the extended home time to recover. It will also give me time to plan the summer of 2025 trip that I’m affectionately calling “Canada or Bust”.  And looking further into 2025 and early 2026, I’m planning a 170-day, 9,000-mile trip to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. We’ve got big plans to continue traveling once the winter is over. This blog will probably go dark for the next couple months, but please check back in May when I’ll start posting again in preparation for our Canada trip. A most sincere “Thank You” to all those who follow this blog as we tell… the Rest of the Story.