While visiting Steve and Kim at the lake this summer, we learned that they planned to take Janet’s parents to Lancaster Pennsylvania to see Queen Esther at the Sight and Sounds Theatre. I thought that sounded like it would be a neat adventure and asked if they would mind if Janet and I joined them. They agreed to let us join the party and we made plans for early in November to beat the snow. I haven’t been to the Lancaster area since 1982 so I was excited to be able to revisit the area. We decided to leave Thursday night and go half way so that we could meet the family for lunch. Our first leg ended in Norwalk CT. We stayed in one of the most interesting hotels I’ve ever seen. Even is part of the IGH group that owns Holiday Inn and other hotels. The unique aspect of this hotel is that it caters to active lifestyles. Exercise equipment is part of every room and workout videos comprise the first 20 channels of the TV. I used the gym which was better than the workout area of our apartment complex. It was really neat to stay at a place that makes exercising so easy for guests.
We met for lunch at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord. I wasn’t prepared for the size of this operation. From the parking lot, I thought it was a mega church. Walking into the foyer area made me aware that this place was more than a restaurant, it was a destination. Bus groups are regularly catered to and there were multiple rooms to accommodate the numerous guests that visit. While the food was good, I’m very conscious of calories so I limited myself to some of the more bland options. Amish cuisine is similar to southern cooking and makes for good comfort food.
The most interesting aspect of the Shady Maple are the diorama paintings hanging throughout the restaurant. They depict historical and cultural representations of the Amish and Mennonite life in Lancaster county. I found them quite interesting and attempted to photograph as many as I could.
After lunch we allowed the GPS to lead us to the theater. The computer must have thought we needed the scenic trip because it took us through the back roads of Lancaster County where we were able to see typical Amish households including the laundry hanging on the lines and horse drawn plows.
The Sight and Sounds theater is a Christian theater that presents productions of biblical stories. We saw their presentation of Noah at their location in Branson, MO about ten years ago. Over the top is about the best way to describe these extravaganzas. The front stage is not only three times the size of a Broadway stage, but the sides of the auditorium also open up to include scenery where parts of the show are performed. When we saw Noah, the audience was surrounded on three sides by the inside of the three story ark. Queen Esther was equally extravagant. Everything about the program is professionally done similar to a Disney production. The show followed the biblical narrative pretty well and we really enjoyed the singers’ voices. We were very impressed and Janet’s parents were in awe. We were all glad to have been able to provide them with this experience.
Once again the GPS had directed us through the backroads. The setting sun made the perfect silhouette of a farm as we headed to the hotel. Our day concluded at Panera Bread with the family. This hotel wasn’t as exercise conscious but it did have a nice gym and an indoor pool.
I love sharing our adventures with friends and family. Though Lancaster PA isn’t in New England, our proximity makes it easy to do things like this. I was a little disappointed I didn’t have time to drive one more hour and visit Gettysburg but I have a reason to come back now.
Living in New England Like a Tourist 