2006 Bridge, Barn & Brewery Tour

The weather forecast for the September 15 - 17 weekend was great on the Monday before the weekend - rain ending by Thursday.  Then, day by day, the rainy period started creeping into the weekend.  By Friday, those arriving had to dodge the raindrops.  So, Friday night was not the time to be on the roads for shopping, and we settled on dinner at the Inn.  However, those little ticket stubs at the bottom of the checks came in handy later, as you will see!

Our Saturday ride included Three Mile Island, covered bridges, the PA Memorial at Fort Indiantown Gap, twisty mountain roads and a stop at a local winery.  Starting with breakfast at the Inn, those ticket stubs were saved and given to everyone.  That is, except Gibby, who always comes up with this 'You need a ticket' to go on this ride.  So, after I explained the day, I asked for tickets, which caused a big grin on Gibby's face!  Well, I hope Gibby is on his next trip, as the day was going along just fine.  We dodged AM rain, made it through the 'Woodpecker' curve, toured the Soldiers Memorial at Indiantown Gap, rode the twisties and stopped by the winery.  All was well until the bone jarring RR tracks.  When we made the next pit stop, oil was spotted under Gibby's Wing, and that was not good.  The RR crossing did in the fork seals of the Wing.  So, we limped back to the Inn on the most direct smooth roads.  Despite this unfortunate incident, we were able to gather for dinner at the Quentin Tavern.  With some expedient repairs, Gibby was able to return to Ohio.

Sunday was the perfect day for a ride, as the temps were moderate and the sunshine was abundant.  At the Biker Breakfast in Lawn, PA we met up with Terri, who was another of the Jonestown banking group along with Roger.  Terri joined us for most of the tour of painted barns & buildings, leaving before lunch.  Then it was on to Bube's Brewery (want to guess how that is pronounced?), where we were given a tour.  The catacombs beneath the brewery were said to have a tunnel to the underground railroad, while the formal restaurant is said to have ghosts!  We had an abbreviated lunch and sampled the local brew.  Afterwards, we toured the countryside for the remaining painted barns and had a great time at the 'cow barn'.  Ending at the Information Center in Lancaster, we viewed the interior murals, then bid farewell until next year.

To quote Jim Beachy, 'I want to come to one of these when we don't have any problems!'  Two years ago, we had a hurricane.  Last year, we had the flying woodpecker.  This year, a case of blown fork seals.  Hmm...  I believe the best way to fix this and allow for more daylight is to hold the next event in August!  So, third weekend in August, in conjunction with the Biker Breakfast, we will meet again.  Watch this site - an update will occur when Lawn, PA publishes the breakfast dates next spring (2007).  Meanwhile, here are some pictures:

Rain at Three Mile Island	Group photo (nukes behind us)
View from the deck, #2 reactor	Woodie made the turn!
Has it stopped raining?	Rooster Barn
Drying out at Indiantown Gap	Benigna's Winery
View from the front	and the back
Woodie (Bob) & Gloria	Kathy & Dan
Jim & Kitty	Patty & Bill
Carole & Roger	Gibby
Your host, Papa Smurf!