I was in the vicinity of Fleetwood and Lyons in Berks County one Saturday and came across these scenes:
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Back to Berks
Grain silos near Lyons, PA. A farm raising up some calves. A peek through the trees at this lovely barn. I love the stone barn here. That actually looks delicious … for grass. I took this photo because I liked the rooster weather vane. Another lovely Berks County farm. -
Sherman’s Valley: A Hidden Gem
Nestled between the mountain ridges in Perry County is Sherman’s Valley. The valley is traversed by Route 274, with its heart in Blain, PA. I came here in search of a couple of covered bridges on Sherman Creek. The narrow valley feels remote due to its situation between two ridge lines. However, it is not to far from Carlisle and Harrisburg.
It was, unfortunately, quite a gloomy morning when I was there. Here is a sampling of what I saw (and, or course, those covered bridges):
Farm house across the road – like my grandparent’s former farm. 
The Mount Pleasant Covered Bridge. 
Sherman Creek 
The New Germantown Covered Bridge 
I see these stars all over the place on homes and barns. This one has a twist with the flag motif. 
Great red color on this barn. 
Nestled against the backdrop of mountains. 
I love how this house has been built around a log structure. 
Another great red barn. 
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Pennsylvania’s Fruit Basket
Western Adams County, along the slopes of South Mountain, hosts a large number of orchards. I was on my way to Gettysburg from Pine Grove Furnace and happened on this area by chance. It was a nice surprise.
A look down a row of new trees. 
A mature orchard, 
I loved this farm peeking out from behind the pond. I had to visit the Historic Round Barn and Farm Market in Biglerville, PA. The family-owned market has fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, honey, canned fruits and vegetables, snacks, candy, and gift items. It is well worth a visit if you are near Gettysburg.
A very interesting building and well-maintained. 
A signature painted horse out front. 
Some adorable residents. -
The Lovely Cumberland Valley
Nestled between South Mountain and the Blue Mountain ridge line lies the Cumberland Valley, an area known for fertile farms, world famous fly fishing, and an annual classic car show. I explored the farm country in the northern part of the valley.
The farms are nestled into the backdrop of South Mountain. 
Love the goats in the small pasture. 
Best cow shot of the day. The Valley is not all about farms, however …
The Williams Grove Speedway. 
I don’t know what this house used to be, but it looked like a great renovation job. 
The ducks and geese at LeTort Spring Run Park in downtown Carlisle. 
A Mallard couple out for a walk. -
Gettysburg on Memorial Day
Memorial Day brought me to Gettysburg National Military Park on my way home from the Cumberland Valley. I had been here a few times when I was young, but it’s been a while since I was there. In additional to being educational and preserving this country’s history, the park is a lovely place for a walk or bike ride. As I am not an expert on military history, I will share some of the views and monuments that I particularly liked, with particular emphasis on farms.
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A cannon on Confederate Avenue. 
The State of Louisiana Monument – one of the most imposing. 
Part of the Snyder Farm. 
Irish Brigade Monument, 63rd, 69th and 88th New York Infantry 14th New York Independent Battery. 
A view of the Slyder farm. 
The Codori farm. 
The Abraham Trostle Farm. 
More of the Trostle farm. 
A distant view. 
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Memorial. 
The Jacob Hummelbaugh farm. 
… with some adjacent cannon … -
A Little Bit of This and That
Sometimes you just encounter some fun or interesting stuff while out with your camera.
I believe this is a horse-drawn plow. 
The White Rock Forge Covered Bridge 
Right next door is … 
You can’t make this stuff up. I wonder what the origin of the name is. Does the groundhog sleep in on February 2? 
Amish schoolhouse 
a really cool looking small shed 
I loved the shrub in front of this home. -
May Has Had a Split Personality
This month has certainly seen some wild changes in the weather. We recently went from sunny and low eighties to low thirties within a 24 hour period. It is a relief to get outdoors whenever one can. I took some time to go in search of a trumpeter swan on Octoraro Lake. I didn’t see the swan, but the farms around this area are some of my favorite to photograph.
On my travels, I’ve noticed a lot of fallow fields and newly plowed fields in mid-May. This seems late to me for planting. Is it the weather, or something else?
Here is a sampling of the photographs.
There seems to be one picture perfect farm after another. 
A peek down an Amish driveway. 
A really nice, rustic bank barn. I’m seeing barns of this style all over the place now I know what they are. 
Well, hello there. 
Here’s a look at the whole barn. 
A vert cozy looking farm. 
I love the gray grasses in the foreground. 
White really seems to be the color of choice for barns around here. 
A few more … 
for good measure. -
The Groundhog Sticks Her Head Out of the Her Hole
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, that due the corona virus lock down, I haven’t been out much doing photography. I did manage to drive around my local community getting some photos of the spring flowers and flowering trees. I also checked up on two of my local state parks, which were well attended by people glad to get out of the house while maintaining a safe distance from others.
The local; cherry trees are in bloom. 
Tulips are always lovely. 
This pony at Ridley Creek State Park finds things greener on the other side of the fence. 
These horses aren’t bothered by Covid 19. 
I love this barn at Hope Springs Farm at Marsh Creek State Park. 
It has a great silo. 
The horses were enjoying a day in the pasture. 
Down at the West Launch a kayaker is getting ready to shove off. 
Someone else has a faster way to get around. Socially distant dispersed outdoor recreational fun was had by all.
