2nd stop: Lancaster, PA

We flew from Las Vegas to Philadelphia on 12Sep and took a 1hr drive west to Cochranville. We stayed in a farmhouse, kinda like bed & breakfast but on a farm called Elver Valley Farm http://www.pafarmstay.com/elvervalley/index.html . The host Vera and Elvin were farmers and after retiring, they set up this place to welcome guests in their home.

Very beautiful place, fresh air, fresh flowers, fresh grass ... fresh fertilizers too...

Pic 1: Front view of them house we stay in. There's actually another doorway to the section of our room on the right. There's a living room and 2 bedrooms with private bathrooms. There's a door that separates us from the hosts' living room and kitchen. Vera and Elvin were very hospitable. We are allowed to use their living room space (which is where the LCD tv and internet is) and we have breakfast (Vera provides a home-cooked breakfast) in their kitchen.

Pic 2: A hand built playground by Elvin. Lots of swing, slides and rocking horses for Valerie to have fun in.

Pic 3: Valerie and Chip (Vera's son's dog). Chip didn't really like Valerie, he kept walking away when Valerie tries to go near him. He didn't growl though but just kinda distance himself, and Valerie keeps wanting to go to him and pick him up!!! I was so afraid he might snap at her. So finally I had to pet him to get him to stay in place and at the same time get Valerie to pet him too. That's how we got that pic!!

Pic 4: That's Vera and Valerie at the kitchen table, having breakfast. The door on the left of the TV is the door to our living quarters. There's a tv there too but we prefer the big screen in the main living room.

Pic 5: Valerie found her "pocket"!!! All her clothes do not have pockets until this pair of jeans came along. So while trying to keep her occupied in the airport, we would put coin and stuff in her pocket and get her to find it. From there onwards, she's been hanging out with her pocket like a pro - a model in making! hahahahaha The dad says, future Tommy or Guess jeans model.

Pic 6: Clothes dryer for the countryside.... The clothes line run from the back of the house to the tree on the top. Very very long line. We had to wash some clothes and we got to dry it up there. See the colourful flags hanggin? hee hee hee...

Overall, the first day in Lancaster county was relaxing. We slept till we were ready to wake up... which is when Valerie wakes up (quite late in fact as she was still in Phx time... 3hrs behind PA). Had an enjoyable breakfast (brunch actually) and just soaked in the freshness of the country. Taking a walk in Vera's garden... looking for fishes in the creek, sat in the swing gazebo, played in the playground... running around on the fresh, clean grass and smelled the fresh "air" from the goats. We even had time for a nap in the late afternoon. Woke up at about 6ish and went out for dinner at a Chinese buffet restaurant. Most American restaurants close at 5pm or 8pm. There aren't any chain restaurants, all are locally owned restaurants that do not care much about tourists that takes naps and stay up late. Hahahahahaha....