October 13, 2008
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Starting..........................!!!
Well, for those of you my age you might remember the story "Leap in the Dark" by Uncle Charlie. It was all about faith! That's what this feels like to me!
My friends will say they know I enjoy fellowship but that I prefer to listen verses talking. Maybe that is one reason I haven't started this before. I have been enjoying meeting new friends on here, visiting with you and hearing of your activities and routines (daily blessings.) But I've been thinking "manners might say" I need to do my part! I'll try!
We wanted to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary and talked about doing something a bit extra special. Well, it was to be more special than we realized when we made our plans. The above picture is friends of ours who own and operate Red Rose Tours http://www.xanga.com/Chearl They had a mystery trip scheduled for October 10 and 11 and we decided to make this our anniversary celebration!
On October 10th Mystery Stop #1 found us at Pa. Grand Canyon in Wellsboro. The colors were awesome; I don't often use that word as I save it for things pertaining to God. There is no other word that I know to use for the beauty we saw before us.
Mystery Stop #2 found us at Tioga Central Railroad. Did you know the conductor is the boss of the train? It's only when he says to start and stop that it happens!
Our eyes just soaked in the beauty of God's Autumn creation!
Saturday morning greeted us with 40 degree temperatures. Mystery stop #3 was the Patterson Farms - makers of Sugar Maple products in Sabinsville. This was extremely interesting as they explained each process. The evaporator above takes the water out of the maple sap which is collected from the trees. 43 gallons of sap makes one gallon of maple syrup.
The newest food item developed is the Maple Dipping Mustard which the owner's sister is showing above. She worked on this recipe until it met Richard's approval!
Our last Mystery surprise was the highlight for all of us...Storm's Mountain Farm. This was not in the boonies; this was REALLY in the boonies!!
The above building is where the owner's wife served us our family style meal later in the day.
Here we were treated to a covered wagon tour powered by two Belgium horses. This is Jack and Candy - 8 and 9 year old horses. Lenny, the owner, said they weigh about 1800 lbs. (He said they are overweight!!)
This was a picture-perfect day! Two years ago on October 3rd Lenny said they did this in snow!
This is another part of our group following behind us.
We arrived at the top of the mountain and are giving the horses a break. We are grateful to Charlene and Earl for this experience!
1 1/2 hours later we arrived back for our meal made by Lenny's wife, Kim. The appetizer was delicious soup, which is in the kettle above. This was followed by a wonderful down-home country cooking meal!
Too soon it was time to close the door on this wonderful mystery trip. When we arrived home Saturday evening our daughter welcomed us back by phone. She said, "Mother, on a scale from one to ten how would you rate your trip? 11 was my answer! The experiences we have had with Charlene and Earl have always been a topnotch job wherever they take you....where you eat, where you sleep, and places you visit. I feel like I can't compliment them high enough for their thoroughness in ALL details!
Along with them we thank the Lord for the wonderful weather He gave us to enjoy.
Comments (7)
You did it! Great job. I would have enjoyed that trip.
That looks like so much fun! What beautiful photos and wonderful memories.
Thank you for all the kind words. We really enjoyed the trip too and the Lord Blessed us so much this weekend with such wonderful weather. I think the biggest Blessing the Lord has given us on the trips is all the "FRIENDS" we have gotten to travel with and learn to know better. It was great having you along with us!!!!!! AND --Congratulations on doing your 1st post -- Great job!
39 years married.... what a beautiful thing! It looks such a wonderfully memorable trip. Here I am only 1 1/2 years married & the idea of 39 years brings tears to my eyes! May God richly bless you both in your 39th year.
@MicheleWithWonL - Hi Michele - it was wonderful memories and I treasure those special times as we don't have a lot of get-away times. Our weeks are so very full right now and I look forward to getting to read your life's activities very soon. Thanks for you reply!
@setapart1979 - Thank you for your blessing, setapart! As my life was very involved with our chldren while they were growing up, I tried to not let that seperate the closeness to my dear husband. When our children left home, I didn't want us to be strangers. I thank the Lord for the privilege of having the blessing of unity! From reading your thoughts in the past, I know you have a heart for the very same thing.
Oh, I am so grateful to see you are posting. I enjoyed your beautiful pictures. Nice way to celebrate an anniversary! Blessings
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