Adventures in Amish Country

A normal Saturday.

Daughter Delaney is a dedicated musician. We received a call that her flute is fixed.

Last week I delivered Delaney's flute to Mr. Bone. Mr. Bone is a fine artist, an expert flute specialist. I would insult him to call him a "repairman".

Mr. Bone was educated as a woodwind flute major. He is a professional woodwind performer. He taught music at the high school level for twenty years before he became interested in the craft of fine instruments. Mr. Bone received a diploma in handmade flute building in Vermont. He then traveled to Europe where he furthered his repair studies in Oslo, Norway, on Saxophone and clarinet. He then went to the Schreiber bassoon factory in Germany to become proficient in bassoon repairs. He became an authorized Straubinger Pad technician.

My daughter's private flute instructor recommended Mr. Bone. He is an amazing, passionate and dedicated individual who lives in the middle of nowhere.

Last week I entered Mr. Bone's address into "Irma" our lovely GPS machine. Mr. Bone told us that he lived in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County.

Mr. Bone in fact lives about fifteen miles outside of Elizabethtown proper in between two Amish farms. Irma flawlessly directed us there.

Mr. Bone "fixed" the flute. Why is it that the dedicated professionals charge less than the major stores. I find it hard to say goodbye.

Delaney wants to go to lunch. She wants to ask Irma. We found the Black Gryphon in E-town. Several places in Hershey. Could it be that we are only 2.5 miles from Hershey?

I suggest Mount Joy. She finds a place named the "Creekside Cafe".

She says "cafes are usually nice". The optimistic daughter thinking "sidewalk cafe". I tell her it might be a divey bar.

We set "Go" on the GPS. I become a little concerned as we leave Mount Joy proper to follow a windy creekside road.

The establishment is to our left, marked with a checkered flag by Irma. I remember long ago hearing that it is not wise to venture into a bar without windows.

Delaney learns that "cafes" can mean a lot of things.

I pushed the "home" button. We had lunch at the John Wright Restaurant overlooking the Susquehanna river. The food was terrible but the view was amazing.

The seagulls were floating backwards down the river.

Delaney's flute is ready for the musical next weekend.