Day 15 -- A Change O' Plans

It is nearly 10:00 a.m. East Coast time and we are just now pulling out of Bel Air, disappointed that returning the rental car has taken so long to complete. Although our intention this morning was to head due north and spend at least a couple of hours in Philadelphia, Joe - after consulting over the phone re: parking in the middle of the historic district, AND after considering the amount of time we've already spent in big cities -- made the executive decision to not go to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Philadelphia Mint. As you can imagine, there are some disappointed passengers (namely Isaac and I), but these are all sights we have been to before and none of which wouldn't require a long tour, tickets, and a wait. The reality is -- we're running out of time and hope to be back home a week or so from today.

And so -- our alternate route is to head up through Amish country on our way to camping tonight in Gettysburg. Joe, especially, is up for a more relaxed day, good food (the Amish restaurants are filled with yummy homemade faire), and slow paced stopping along the way if we find a farmer's market or shop that we'd like to visit.

We received news this morning that our dear and watchful neighbors helped prevent a flood in our barn after the irrigation was turned on and, unknowingly, we had left drain valves open. Thus, when it was turned on, water gushed out. Through the Lord's providence, our neighbor friend whom we had hired to come and weed a few times each week, was there working before too much time had elapsed. With his quick thinking (you're our hero Alexander!) and the help of some neighbors, the various valves were shut off and leaks contained. We do have 3 or 4 inches of standing water in the barn -- but that should dry quickly after a few weeks of Idaho heat.

Pump valve and mud everywhere . . .

We're heading into the absolutely beautiful rolling hills and farmland of Pennsylvania. Pictures to come!