Parents' Visit 2007

After making a pancake and sausage breakfast, I took them to Ladew Gardens. We got a tour of the Ladew home. It was nice, but we expected to see more sculpted bushes than the few that were there.
Still, the gardens were nice and we had a good time.
We saw an unusual seed pod which I later identified as some type of chestnut.
That evening, I grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

After introducing my parents to Norma, we headed out to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the day. This would be a day of introduction to the Amish culture for them.

We did a tour with Zerve. It was very commercial but we did get to see some nice things and a few friendly farm animals.
We passed through the town of Intercourse, which still seems funny in a juvenile sort of way.

Afterwards, we took a buggy ride through a covered bridge with AAA Buggy Rides. Then we saw a few more covered bridges on our own including one that passed over the Conestoga River. Here's Norma about to walk over this bridge.
The four of us ate dinner at a catacomb restaurant called Bube's (pronounced "boobies"...no, it isn't like Hooters). The place is a few floors underground in an old brewery. It was expensive but the food was good and the atmosphere was unique.

That evening, we slept at Hillshire Farms Bed and Breakfast. Very reasonable rates.

Breakfast at Hillshire was good, especially the dessert which was served first. I guess they didn't want us to get filled up with the main course.

We took a long drive to Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania to see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses: Kentuck Knob and Fallingwater. I used to wonder why others just didn't make copies of his homes but after seeing how he tailored the houses to the surrounding environment, I see why. I preferred the Fallingwater house just because it is built over water...unfortunately, not enough for kayaking.
That night, we stayed at Norma's parents' farm. Our parents hit it off well.

While eating breakfast at the farm, we saw several wild turkeys.

All of Norma's family, her in-laws, and my family took a train ride on the Potomac Eagle in West Virginia. Norma's family made a great picnic lunch that we ate on the train. I saw a few bald eagles, deer, and a turtle.

After the ride, we all stopped in at a Dairy Queen for dessert.

After breakfast, we took a walk on the farm. My parents still can't get over the size of it. Norma's parents' farm is quite different than the west coast agricultural farms my folks grew up on. Here's a group pic of us with Toby, the farm dog. He's a collie.
Norma took us to Swallow Falls State Park where we saw Muddy Creek Falls, the highest free-flowing waterfall in Maryland. It might be the most scenic one mile walks a person can take in Maryland.
We were hoping to see some brilliant fall colors but we were a little too early.

On the way home, we visited Fort Frederick, which was rather mediocre.

Norma made a fine pasta and garlic bread dinner that night.

Norma went back to work and I took my parents to the National Cryptologic Museum where we got a 90 minute guided tour. It is a nice place but be sure to bring a jacket since they keep the computer room pretty cold.

After a quick drive through my old town, Elkridge, I shuttled my parents to the airport and bid them farewell.

Since they only visit me once every other year, I make a special effort to ensure their short time in Maryland is well spent. I think I succeeded...largely due to Norma's help.