Nothing reinvigorates my creative juices quite like exploring a new town, a new adventure or the opportunity to photograph different scenery. I also especially love meeting new people and getting together with my photography pals, too. I had the chance to do all of the above last weekend when I spent a hot Sunday in historic East Berlin, PA (Adams County) with some friends from The Berks County Photography Facebook group. The girls and I had lunch at a little gem called The Lady Bug Tea Room and I highlighted our experience on my "Focus on Local" blog. If you'd like to see more, please visit "Tea with the Ladybugs" blog post. Even better, you can sign up to receive all of my posts via email - just go to the link and add your email to begin receiving each unique FOL project! Thanks much! And as always, I am open to FOL suggestions. Don't be shy - I'd love to hear from you! :)
This day had so many wonderful, invigorating surprises for me. I would go so far as to call them serendipitous. You know that feeling when something happens to you that takes you off guard in a very pleasant way - as though the universe is aligned just for you - even if it's just for a short slice of time. It's simply the best feeling! When it happens, grab it and enjoy every moment of it! Yep, I certainly did!! ;)
After our lunch at the tea room, we met up with other friends and had a "photo walk" together. I really love these photo walks. It's fun to see what everyone finds interesting and to see a different perspective of the same things. I had the chance to meet some new friends from our Facebook group also. Such a great day!
I heard my friend Tony saying, "Here comes a Model T!" I looked around and saw it at the stop sign ready to cross the main street of E. Berlin, "King Street." I had my camera poised to grab a shot or two as it passed by. To my surprise the driver stopped the car and he and his traveling companion smiled cheerfully for a couple photos. Then, as if in a dream, I heard him ask if I want to go for a ride around the block and waving his hand to summon me - "come on!" Well, what would you do?! Of course I went for it! My friend Tony was also invited along!!
As Mike, the driver, set off with Tony and myself in the backseat he began giving us the full rundown on how Henry Ford's innovative vision was well ahead of his time with "green technology" and lack of waste. I really tried to listen to everything he was saying, but I was so excited to be taking this once in a lifetime ride that I may have missed a few things. But I did manage to keep my shutter going!! Mike's grandson, Gabe sat quietly listening and wondering what in the world this lady was taking photos of! ;)
And that was my once in a lifetime, serendipitous 1924 Model T Ford ride around the block in East Berlin, PA!! One of my photog friends said I was like a kid in a candy store! I think she was right :) It was a comfortable, breezy slice of heaven with a few fumes - but still, it was amazing! Thanks so much, Dr. Mike and grandson for giving me this thrill. I'll never forget it.
After the Model T ride I was floating on a cloud, however, I did manage to keep my feet on the ground and even found more gems along our walk about. We happened upon this unique little furniture, antique, woodworking shop called Hoffman & Woodward.
Everywhere we looked there was something interesting and unusual to admire. This shop was filled with beautiful artisan style artifacts; grape vines galore; a lovely adorned garden; handcrafted furniture; antiques; apple vines (I've never seen those before!); young fig trees; pottery by the plethora; chickens wandering the grounds and one really cool cat! We lingered here for a while. A very interesting shop that made me feel as though I had stepped back in time! If you'd like more info, check out Jan and David's website: http://www.hoffmanwoodward.com/
It was time to head back out into the heat of the day and admire more of the architecture of this historically rich town.
Of course no photo walk would be complete without photos of my friends doing their "thing!" ;) Here they are having a great time in a homeowner's well loved and cared for garden, and chatting together along the main street. These friends are a wealth of knowledge, experience and are truly fun to be with! Thanks again to everyone that made the journey!! And thanks for all the timeless memories!! :)
Thanks for viewing, my friends! Stay cool!
All the best,
Barb
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