The 250th Redux

Nothing like last-minute information, eh?

My hubster was told, on the second of July, that he had off work on the third.

Sheesh, really?

Well. Not much lead time, but there are a few places I’d like to go. There’s this glass bead shop…

Do I make glass beads? Yes, yes I do. And I could also teach the world how to make their own, and we all bring our own experience, our own color palette, and our own aesthetics to the torch.

When I see other people’s work, I want to own a piece. They capture something that’s pleasing to me, that I wouldn’t think of doing, and that’s really cool. I mean, this lady uses frit in her wave beads!

And, really, what’s a somewhat-local trip, without seeing if there are historic signs in the area?

Hmm. Three definitely on the way, five more if we take the long way home. But those are in an area that we barely, if ever, travel, and we have the time…

Right. Let’s pack the GPS, let’s pack the nibbly lunch on the go, and let’s explore a bit!

First stop – Quakertown, PA.

We were driving through it, anyway, but we had to turn off the “main drag” if we were to find the signs. History conveniently doesn’t take place along the corridors that become large roads. Usually.

The first sign was right at the corner we turned, tucked back a little bit. Now why on earth would it be hidden away – oooohhhhh.

Especially in this political climate. I can see how that would be an issue. History is rather inconvenient when governments try to elide it.

And the next marker was for Richard Moore, a Quaker abolitionist who made his home a safe place for travelers on the Underground Railroad. Now this, this, it the type of America I wish to celebrate!

Loop back to get back on the main road, and travel farther, but we’re stopped at the corner by a traffic light. Great shot of the old hotel and the historic sign. I look to the other side-

Welladay, what’s this?

Then again, perhaps some wanderings were meant to happen.

The next sign was for Pearl S. Buck, a prolific writer – and again, one, as the sign says, who “strove for better understanding between peoples.” We didn’t have time to tour the grounds, which were open, but we did pay quick respects at her grave site as we turned around and returned to the main road.

From there, tie to visit AAOTE – the whole reason for this jaunt!

I was going for the wave pendant. I like the mountain pendants, and I like the midnight sky pendant like hubster got, but I really, really, wanted a wave pendant. There weren’t many to choose from (shakes fist at retailer that swooped up a big order before I managed to get there, curse you capitalism!), but I found a pleasing one.

There was other cool stuff there, pottery and handmade greeting cards and the back half is all beads and findings to make your own jewelry. Some of the glass sculptures were mighty tempting, like the dragon eggs, and the jellyfish pendants (I have two already – but, but, these are coated, then ground down! That’s freaking hard to do!) Focus, self, go for what you’re aiming for… Nope, that seashell pendant’s coming too!!

We got to talk to the owner herself – the shop is in her family’s old hosiery factory – and her second-in-command, and chat a bit. Yes, I’m on the list to teach glass beads if an opportunity arises. And honestly? If this becomes a thing, I can ask about purchasing a custom-made one. It’s all good. Tomorrow I plan to make a few accent beads to go with them, and I’ll string it all together. Fun!

Time to head home, the long way round.

Five historic signs, roughly under Allentown. Nowhere near each other, each a solo, not like the glorious concentration that is Doylestown (eleven within the town itself!). So, overland! To Lehigh County!

(These were all fly-by stops. Because of the location of most of them, we go, spy the sign, say “yep that’s the sign we’re looking for,”, then keep going to the next. Later, when we’re not driving, I’ll look up the signs and their history. And, if there’s anything we should scope out at a later date, it goes on The List to explore later on.)

The Presidential Pumping Engine sign is new, and recently placed by Allentown’s industrial museum. Which, oh so conveniently, also has a squishie machine now. Hmph. Didn’t when we were there before… If you’re into engineering, it’s a cool stop, and you punch in and out on an old time clock as part of your ticket. We shall return, you sneaky museum you…

The Allentown marker just marks the official city line. I think they have four of them, one at each cardinal direction? We’ve gotten the southern, and the western, ones now.

Ah, the Emmaus marker! I haven’t visited Emmaus in years. The local SCA group used to have a cool event nearby. This one is placed in front of the library, which was hopping with people coming in and out. And many ethnicities represented. Good. Ooh, and family groups! I’m pleased. Go, libraries! Lead the revolution!

Um? Indian Jasper Quarries?? So much for my grandmother telling me that these were at a secret site! And that there Jasper Park up the mountain means that I’m a-coming back to get some samples! (glares at the hereafter, knowing full well she’s cackling at me)

And Lock Ridge Iron Furnace, with an anvil on a limestone block in front of the church (coming back for that picture, I am), didn’t mention that there’s a park right down the hill, where you can visit the ruins of the furnace. Yep, that’s a return trip! We’ll bring a picnic lunch, too. I like historical places like this, especially ones I didn’t know existed.

After that, home. It’s bleeping hot out there, and even though we had A/C running in the car, it’s time to sit in a chair that’s not moving. And that I don’t have to pay attention to all the traffic. That driving thing; it’s fun, till it’s not.

Home was nice. Well, the A/C was niiice…

A slice of history, through a large chunk of the Lehigh Valley. Not bad, as a celebration of our nation’s 250th. Can’t say too much about modern history, but it was good to see good points of the past. We can do that again, if we get our heads out of our collective butts.

July 4th itself was quiet. A small picnic with my parents, the usual burgers, with baked potatoes, and salad.

My son-in-law came over, and brought the granddog, who demanded all the pettins and attention and I haven’t had treats in THREE WHOLE WEEKS fork them over!

The local fire company put on a fireworks show at a private party behind us, which was interesting. They started it two hours early, because a thunderstorm was moving in. Talk about a strobe show! Lightning, firework, fireflies, firework, lightning, fireflies. Interesting! At least I got some nice pics.

Local, personal, historical. Works for me!