Yesterday, my mom and I took a drive with one destination: anywhere! We have been antsy since we haven’t been able to travel, but yesterday was an excellent adventure that was simple, fun, yet close to home. We ventured to Ephrata, PA in search of antique shops, fresh baked goods, and flower fields. And that is exactly what we found.

Along the Way

We found ourselves in Ephrata a few weeks ago for a FB pickup - believe it or not, that has been something I’ve been doing lots of this summer: FB Marketplace! When we were there, we vowed to come back because it was delightful. A perfect destination for a summer, country drive.

Our route started with I-76, getting off at toward Morgantown and bopping along Route 322. My favorite part of town was Hinkletown, where there are some great farmer’s markets, road side stands, soft pretzel shops, and of course, antique/salvage stores. My favorite of which is Cornfields, a huge store brimming with countryside farm inspiration!

At one point, we saw a view that stopped us in our tracks. A farmer was plowing a field, with three strong horses pulling him through. Mom remarked that a sight like that wasn’t something you see nowadays - or even in this century - for us. It was so charming, but it gave me a renewed appreciation for the vegetables and produce we eat. So much work - backbreaking, sweaty, laborious effort - goes into the earth to reap the benefits of a harvest. These people out here live a different life, undoubtedly, but it calls to me!

Some of Our Stops

Downtown Ephrata can easily be swapped for any Main Street USA movie set. It is so idyllic, with beautifully kept storefronts, residences, and buildings. Some historic buildings on the National Historic Register are there, still proudly standing, from the late 1880s. Although we didn’t stop at any of these stores, it was fun to poke through. I would love to walk along the wide sidewalks, with a coffee in hand, during the fall.

Along Route 322, we found a business called Cozy Cabins LLC which struck my mom’s fancy. She has been dreaming of building a cabin in the woods for years, and to see cabin models in person was an eye-opening experience. We explored some of the model homes and felt an interestingly familiar sensation, as if we were walking into our own home. We left brimming with excitement, anticipation, and inspiration. Maybe someday soon this can be a reality.

We then stopped at Cornfields again, and found some unique handmade treasures and garden wares.

After that, I had mom pull over to a farmer’s market called EverFresh Produce, where you can cut your own flowers. The rows and rows of colorful buds reminded me of the Carlsbad Flower Field, in Carlsbad, California. But there was something more down-to-earth, simple, and homelike to this place. To see sunflowers reaching for the sun, bees buzzing admist the heaps of zinnias, all against sloping green fields, felt truly Pennsylvanian!

One of our final stops was for an authentic Dutch soft pretzel. So we stopped at Dutch Country Soft Pretzels, where we noshed on traditional style pretzels with a pint of fresh, whole chocolate milk. It was indulgent! I can’t tell you the last time I ate a combo like that.

It may “just” be in our backyard, but at the very least, this pandemic is allowing us to travel the backroads with a renewed sense of wander and appreciation. Yesterday was simple, and it left me wondering if I could live a simpler life in the countryside. I know Rosie would certainly love it, but would there be some suburban elements I’d miss? I am sure of it, but this place has me thinking twice…

I can’t wait to make another visit out to Lancaster County! There is so much more to explore! Drives like this seriously fuel me up with so much inspiration.

ciao, xo