Springs PA Farmers Market

—BEING A FULL ACCOUNT OF A VERY FULL DAY
When we wandered home last night, there was a note  from Pam and Bill inviting us to drive “over the mountain” to attend the Springs Farmers Market.  Bill planned to shoot pictures there and then on to other assignments, but  they would drop us at Meyersdale for a 32 mile DOWNHILL ride home.

 “ We’re In!”  and at 8:30 we were loaded and driving over the Highest Point in Pennsylvania with Bill giving a detailed narrative of the area, past and present. (Bill Metzger not only NAMED the Great Allegheny Passage, but wrote the book on the history of the trail, mile by rich historical mile.)
We dropped down from Mount Davis into a broad valley with lots of Amish farms.  Here and there Bill pointed out vestiges of old industries, mines and RR crossings long since obscured by time. 

Veggies

Ahhh, Bunnies...

Springs Pennsylvania isn’t large, but the Farmers Market spread over several acres and two long sheds, the entrance signaled by two little Amish boys with an open pen –“PUPPIES FOR SALE.”  Inside there were early vegetables, breads, jams, great hanging baskets from the Yoders, old tools and assorted flea market stuff mostly courtesy of the “English”. 

PAM AND PATTY AMIDST THE YODER'S FLORALS

Bill discussing business with Mr Yoder and the kids

Then it was off to the Meyersdale Station (the great displays and photos inside are Bill’s work –“paid for the porch we’re sitting on…”   We unloaded bikes and took off  while Pam and Bill set off form more photographic assignments, but not before telling us the whole story of the old couple across the street who disturb the peace daily shouting at each other and their four dogs.
We’ll have to hurry in order to eat lunch at the Opera House in Rockwood (again) and buy more bread (again) and get back in time for the Volunteer fire barbeque on the Confluence town square.

MORE BREAD PLEASE

It’s great going slightly downhill without paying the “price”. The Opera House sees a lot of riders on weekends, but there are great people to wait with.
We got back to the Airstream with barely enough time to ride into town for the chicken and the Polka music.
We were lucky to share the waiting line with our neighbors from West Virginia –the Hartzells. Tim has really been helpful with advice on my car problems (see sidebar), Tim, Leslie and the kids –Nick, Ashley, and David - are a delight to watch  playing and laughing together.  We want to adopt all of them. We all devoured a half chicken and sides and the boys introduced Al to “Gobbleberry Ice Cream from Sisters.  Are you ready for this?  Blueberry ice cream with cherries and white chocolate chunks.  Oh, yes.
Then there was the German Band that tuned up in the park pavilion,  gaily attired with an announcer that spoke like Lawrence Welk with bell ringers and costumed ladies dancing.   Well everybody took a turn dancing in the grass and sidewalks, much to the embarrassment of Al and Ashley.  The band was really pretty bad so Tim declared an upcoming rain event and we biked home for showers and (surprisingly) Tim and the boys went fishing. Leslie suspects this was the plan all along.  The old people showered and retired early to some nice cool 60 degree sleeping weather.