Road trip 2010…

Greetings from the Northeast… Pennsylvania, specifically. We’re en route to Philadelphia, but since we’re bravely (or insanely) traveling by car with our whole crew, we’re doing it in stages. Today we toured all things chocolate in the quaint town of Hershey. And, that was every bit as tasty and entertaining as we had hoped. Tomorrow we’re headed to Amish Country in Lancaster. Though I’ve been to New York and Boston, I’ve never been to this specific part of the country, and I must say the scenery brings new meaning to the beauty of fall. I’m sure the winters up here are brutal compared to our faux winters in the South, but I think the brilliance of the autumn leaves against the bright green backdrop of the rolling farmland might make their December-March suffering all worthwhile.

Anyway… as we get ready for our first visit to Amish Country, I can’t help but marvel at the contrast between what we’re going to experience tomorrow and life as we know it.

The following is a condensed list of the items we’re currently traveling with:

• 4 suitcases
• 1 tote for makeup, flat iron, curling iron, & such
• 1 tote for cups, spoons, meds, etc.
• 1 shaving kit
• 1 diaper bag
• 1 pack-n-play
• 3 shoe bags (which include a pair of brown and black shoes for all four of us, boots for three of us, tennis shoes for three of us, and extra ballet flats)
• 1 DVD player
• 6 DVD’s
• 10 kids CD’s
• 1 laptop
• 1 booster seat
• 2 doggy backpack leashes (I realize these may be controversial, but we find them absolutely necessary when navigating through crowds with our two darters)
• 1 double stroller
• 1 single stroller
• 2 coolers
• 1 backpack full of 8 bedtime books
• 1 Lambie
• 1 Doggie 
• pillows and blankets

We could easily fill up two luggage carts by taking HALF of this stuff into our hotel. And, here’s the thing. We left a TON more at home. In fact, the Spouse asked the night before we left if I thought we should pack the tu-tus (for the girls, that is). Granted, wearing them is a daily ritual at home, but I voted against putting one more thing into the car that I might lose under a bed somewhere.

So, tomorrow we’re going to hop into our huge SUV, loaded with all manner of worldly goods, and drive straight into the quiet, peaceful world of the Amish to witness the beauty of simplicity in action. It’s a study in contrast. We’ll be in the presence of people who know how to find joy and peace and purpose with far less baggage and far fewer distractions.  We’ll see people who value hard work, faith, family, and community in remarkable ways.  And, I know we will drive away with a fresh awareness of how much of our stuff, the things we think we can’t live without, is superfluous.  I’m already feeling humbled…

This doesn’t, however, lessen my excitement about taking an authentic horse and buggy ride and visiting an Amish bakery.

Happy weekend! 🙂

P.S…. tonight we spotted this on a street corner here. In case you can’t read the sign, it says, “The Cinderella Shoppe.” Every town needs one, don’t you think?