Christian Herr got ripped off--Labor Day Trip Part 2

In case you haven't visited our site in a couple of days, we urge you to check out Part One of our Labor Day Vacation before you read Part Two.



Monday was the last day of our trip. Sunday evening Chris had a migraine so we spent a lot of time in the hotel room. Beckett thought that was great and spent the time lounging on the bed looking adorable and teasing his father by half rolling over, but never quite getting those elbows down. These poses were achieved with help. At least the getting to the belly part. He did those arms himself.

As a result of our early night we really tried to pack in the fun on Monday. Okay, so we did things that were probably more fun for me. Chris is very patient about indulging my interest in museums and historical sites. We're probably the only people who went on vacation to Santo Domingo and somehow missed the beach.

The first thing we did was head to the Hans Herr house. It's the oldest surviving dwelling place of European settlers in Lancaster County. For more information please visit: http://www.hansherr.org/

It was a very neat old house. I'm always so impressed when old buildings have multiple stories. I guess I just can't ever believe that you can get a cellar, first story, attic (not a second floor even though the kids slept up there), and second attic with no concrete or "modern" building materials.

Herr (hee hee) is the house

The first thing that struck me, other than the whole height issue, was the way the real owner of the house got totally ripped off. It was built by Christian Herr. Hans Herr was his father who was in his 70's when they came to America. He just got to live with them. If you can blow this picture up you can see above the door where he carved his initial C.H. and the date 1719.

So what I want to know is why is it called the Hans Herr house? The whole tour is about Christian. He did all the work, and, you know, owned the place. I meant to ask, but I sort of freaked out our obviously volunteer tour guide with lots of other questions. Plus some other people showed up half way through the tour and threw her off a little. So it is a mystery, but more than that it is an injustice. Poor Christian Herr will never get his due with his name posted on little maps of attractions placed in budget motels around the Lancaster area.

Here I am at the lovely garden standing by some hops which if I lived in 1719 I'd use to make whiskey which I'd then feed to my baby.

Mmm smoked meats...

After we finished with the Herr house we went to a few more Amish or Mennonite shops. I think the Mennonite's try to horn in on the cache of the Amish, but I know those floral print dresses and bicycles mean you're not really Amish. Your bonnet and apron can't fool me. We had the most delicious soft pretzels I've ever eaten. And some great home made potato chips. Herr's potato chips come from this area. You know that episode of The Office where Jim is trying to find salt and vinegar Herr's chips for Karen? Well no wonder that's happening in Scranton because Pennsylvania is the home of Herr's chips. In fact, the exhibit in the barn at the Herr House was sponsored by Herr's Potato Chips. I hope Christian Herr chips.

Our tour of Amish-landia at an end we decided to head home via Valley Forge. Ah, more learning. Unfortunately we didn't think too clearly about this one since Labor Day is a national holiday. The visitor's center was closed, but there was a ranger at Washington's Headquarters so it was open and we could look in.

Chris was much impressed that General Washington ate ham. Beckett was not as impressed.

This is the spring house. I think. I just heard a lady behind us saying, "This is the spring house. You know what likes spring houses? Snakes!"

Then we drove home on the surprisingly reasonable New Jersey Turnpike. I don't get how they price it. We drove over half the state on it and paid about $4. We drive a few miles to Jersey Gardens and it's $2. We actually stopped at Jersey Gardens on the way home. We didn't stay long. Too much chaos with Labor Day sales. I did get a new pair of jeans though. That was good. Then we got to rest at home. Ah, home.