Recently in Jen's Journeys Category

This weekend, I decided that a decade without a world map is way too long.

When I was growing up, I always had the latest version of the National Geographic world map hanging on my bedroom wall. Anytime I'd read or watch something that mentioned a far-off place, I'd turn to my handy map to locate it. I think it helped me fit my own little life into the context of something larger.

Now that I have my own house and don't have to worry about poking too many holes in a landlord's drywall or plaster, I've decided it's time to put the world back on my wall.

Sunday, friends and I took a bus trip to the Big Apple, which is never shinier than during the holiday season.

It was soggy and chilly and downright miserable weather, but luckily, I had decided, that, at age 31, it was about time I experienced the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular with the legendary Rockettes.

An hour and a half later, I had to admit that it was pretty spectacular. The beautiful sets and costumes, the awesome singing and perfect dancing, the fireworks. Just being in that grand (renovated) theater was something of a treat.

m>It's an annual excursion for many -- the post-Thanksgiving trip to the tree farm.

This year, my family (who you'll see in these pictures) went to McCurdy's Tree Farm near Dillsburg. It was a complete experience, which my sisters were looking for for their kids.They load you into a wagon to sit on hay bales on your way from the barn to the trees. They have those cool shaking and wrapping machines scattered about the acres of trees. Once you've picked the one you want and sawed it down, you just wait along the path for the tractor and wagon to come by and hitch a ride back to the barn.

There, you can shop for any number of accessories and decorations, or get a hot dog, soda and amazing chicken corn soup for lunch (like we did) before heading out.

Go HERE(above) for an authentic shopping experience.
Not HERE (right).
For more, see this story in today's York Daily Record/Sunday News. Or type "Lancaster" and "Gettysburg" in the search bar of this blog to see related posts.

While I was waiting in line -- or maybe while we were stuck in traffic -- it occurred to me that Black Friday is kind of like one big party.

Instead of primping, we peruse sales fliers.

Instead of alcohol, we get drunk with the rush of bargain hunting -- and some make rather ugly drunks.

The live entertainment is the madness and chaos all around us.

Yet we all do it anyway. Because it's what Americans do after devoting a day to eating -- we devote a day to shopping. It's consumerism at its best.

If I were writing a U.S. guidebook for international visitors, I'd list the occasion alongside Thanksgiving and Columbus Day.

It's certainly something worth seeing.

Maybe it was the food coma yesterday, but this year's Black Friday ads didn't seem like much of anything special. The regular old stuff at the regular old prices, just jazzed up marketing to make you think you're getting a better deal.

Or maybe I just have less money to spend.

Anyway, I spotted a couple of things I wanted to give as gifts at decent prices, so out I went.

Not at midnight. Or 4 a.m., like the hardcore bargain shoppers. (I like my sleep more than nearly any discount.)

By the time I rolled into one department store at the late hour of 10:30 a.m., the one item I was in search of was sold out.

Sold out? At 10:30?

It wasn't even anything I would have anticipated being much in demand. (I cannot specify the item for fear that the recipient may read this post.)

My God.

Today, I eat turkey.

Tomorrow, I shop.

Once the last bit of cranberry sauce has slid down my throat and I've had my fill of family, I'll dig into the Thanksgiving Day newspaper sales inserts to plan my itinerary for THE DAY.

Black Friday shopping alternately entices and repulses me, depending on the year and my mood.

This year, I'm game.

I just have to figure out what I'm in search of and where I can get it at the best price.

Check back tomorrow to see how I fared. (And whether my friend/shopping companion is still my friend!)

I spotted this sign at Susie's sandwich stand inside the Bird-in-Hand Farmer's Market last week. I was in Lancaster County for the day, searching out the most authentic experiences for tourists who are so done with the commercialized Amish stuff.

What fun signs have you come across lately? Snap a picture and send it to me!

I remembered Zimmerman's country store in Intercourse from a visit a couple years ago, so I wanted to go back. I thought it was neat how they sold everything from groceries and hardware to lanterns and bonnets.
Walking around the place, though, I was confused. It was just a supermarket now. The girl at the register told me they recently expanded the hardware and dry goods section into its own store.
When I stepped outside with a six-pack of birch beer in tow -- I couldn't resist -- I noticed the modern-looking Zimmerman's True Value Hardware store set back from the road with a large parking lot and a long rail for hitching horses and buggies.
Inside, it looked like any hardware store -- except for the aisle stocked with straw hats and the largest selection of lamp oil and kerosene lamps I've ever seen.

Yes, I snapped this picture on the road during my day exploring Lancaster County.

I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist. And my eyes were still on the road, unlike those texting-and-driving folks.