Today we explore the Amish at work (and play). What a great day. I have great admiration for these folks after seeing them at work today. We basically planned to criss-cross this area and see how far the Amish have expanded to, then return to the same motel as last night.

We first went south over a couple of wooded ridges and found more beautiful Amish farms over each. We then went north-west until we got into more developed areas and then south east. It was overcast all day so we lost our bearings continuously. Oh for a compass on the handlebars. In general, the farther from where we were staying, the fewer tourists we saw. The farms down south actually were more interested in seeing strangers on motorcycles than the ones near Intercourse which is the hub of the tourist area.

I observed lots of things about the Amish today and yet I still am confused.

They use animals for most "moving" work like plowing, haying, planting, and of course transportation (buggies). The buggy horse seems to be a different horse, bred for speed. I am guessing they go 20 mph or so at a steady clop-clop-clop. I did not see anyone actually riding a horse. For heavy work they use either large work horses or beefy looking mules. We saw everything from single mules to 8 mule teams and mules and horses 6 across are not uncommon. So the strange thing is that many of the farm implements have a gas engine or battery powered hydraulics. It was odd to see a person driving horses with a gas engine blaring behind. Hay tedders are gas powered as are balers.

The other interesting thing is that there are no inflatable tires. The buggies, wagons, balers, tedders, planters, harrows all have steel wheels. The only rubber wheels are on the push scooters the kids (and adults) ride around but they appear to be solid rubber (see picture). Why they do not welcome standard bicycles I can't figure out, but no one rides bikes, only the push scooters.

They do have tractors but they are only used for stationary work like running a blower, and the tractors have big ugly looking steel wheels.

The only have electricity in the barn, but never the house. I read last night that if they buy an "English" (that is what they call us outsiders) house, they have a year to remove all the wiring.

They do use lots of propane. All the farms have large tanks to run generators, heat water, and operate gas lights.

We stopped at the "Amish Walmart" today and it is very interesting what they sell. The store had no electricity but had very nice natural lighting from panels in the roof and also had gas lamps throughout the store for dark days. They sell stainless steel pots and pans, dishes, games (Monopoly, horse edition), Raid insect spray, digital clocks (battery powered), batteries, inspirational gifts and cards, etc. In general, very solidly built, practical things.

Their farms are tidy but not showy and show the results of lots of hard work. The Amish seem to enjoy the fruits of hard physical labor.

Monday is also laundry day so every Amish household had a huge clothes line tilted up away from the house like flags signalling they were Amish. Everything white or dark colored (no showing off).

We saw signs at the end of many driveways offering strawberries, root beer, vegetables, pies, quilts, and always brown eggs. There were many fields with sheep, goats and chickens mixed in keeping the property nice and trim. Their lawns are all mowed with push mowers and we saw lots of children and women mowing tidy lawns. They seem to use every square inch of land to produce something. They put the land and themselves to good use.

After seeing the peaceful existence the Amish have here, I look at the complexity of the rest of Americans lives (me included) and can't help but wonder if we have been sold a bill of goods with all the "stuff" we surround ourselves with. Might be time to reflect on what "quality of life" really is.

So it was a good day of getting lost over and over but always being surprised at how beautiful the next farm was. Tomorrow we pack up and head south.