Bob and Carol "Scottish Rovers" 5th Wheeling : 2018 03 12 Friendship Village, Bedford, PA. 03 18 French Creek St. Park, Elverson, PA

Bedford, PA - March 11-17, 2018

Friendship Village - Nice place except for the lack of water, even after we called to recheck that water was available at the site. Just cannot understand how they can make that kind of mistake.

So water was an issue the whole week we were there and required us to haul jugs from the bath house every morning. Lucky for us the bath house was not far from our site and the water didn't need to be filtered.

Jean Bonnet Tavern, formerly the Fork Inn. This property was transferred within 690 acres from an agent of the William Penn family to a land speculator and then in 1762 to Robert Callender, an Indian trader who was also a commissary for troop supplies, and later, a scout for General George Washington. This building, with its native stone walls, massive fireplaces and chestnut beams, was built during Callender's ownership. In mid-1794, Pennsylvania farmers, angered by the federal excise tax on whisky, met here. In October of that year, troops led by President George Washington camped here on their westward journey to quell the Whiskey Rebellion insurrection.

The namesake, Jean (John) Bonnet, and his wife purchased the property in 1779. He was issued a license "for keeping Public House..."

The three story building today has B&B rooms on the top floor, a casual dining area on the second floor and the more "formal" dining on the first floor.

The walls are over two feet thick, constructed of cut field stones. We celebrated our 38th Anniversary and had a delicious dinner of lobster ravioli for Bob and crab cakes, the house specialty, for me.

Our travel day on Saturday, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, began with this sunrise. Bob's idea of a good time. Thanks, but I prefer sunsets. Less interference with my sleep cycle.

We rarely had any company in our section so it was a very quiet stay.

Frosty grass every morning and several days with snow showers.

The ice was beginning to reform on the big lake from all the freezing temperatures.

Our well trained dogs heed the "No Pets Allowed on Porch" sign.

The Koontz Coffee Pot, originally along the Lincoln Highway, was built in 1927, an 18 foot high lunch place. After the highways bypassed the Lincoln Highway and ownership changed hands several times, it closed for a decade or so while time took its toll. Preservationists saved it in 2003. The Bedford County Fair Association paid $1 to purchase the Pot which was moved and restored for $80,000. We have contradicting information on its current use and freezing weather kept us indoors so this is the only photo, taken on our way out of town.

Berks County, PA - Saturday, March 17, 2018

After setting up camp at French Creek State Park near Hopewell Furnace, we visited Kristen and her new German Shepherd puppy, Kilo. So adorable.

We played and wrestled with him until he finally had to call it quits and nap on the floor, too tired to go the 5 feet to his crate.

He wouldn't even raise his head when we were getting ready to leave.

Hopewell Furnace, PA - Sunday, March 18, 2018

Kristen and Abby brought Kilo for his first visit with our girls. As we thought, Dakota was fine until he kept smacking her on the head. Tori eventually would walk next to him but both had to be kept on short leashes so they didn't cross paths. All in all, it was a good walk for us and a challenge for Kilo. He was so tired by the end that he was sitting or laying down every time we stopped to look at something.

Found our way to Hopewell Lake so Kristen could introduce Kilo to water. He was not enthused even after Tori led the way by wading in. All he wanted was to drink the water. Not a good idea with all the ducks and geese plus horse trails, all washing down into the lake. Abby enjoyed the 50 degree weather and wonderful sunshine.