Daymaker - a person who performs acts of kindness with the intention of making the world a better place.
~ David Wagner
, author of Life as a Daymaker; how to change the world by making someone's day ~

DayMaker - any thought, word, or deed that spreads happiness, compassion, or fruitful ideas.
~ Annis Cassells ~

Thursday, October 10, 2013

I is for Intercourse



In the heart of Pennsylvania Amish farm country sits the little village of Intercourse in Lancaster County. It was the scene of the 11th Women on Wheels® International Ride-In, in 1997. I rode Big Red, our first cross- country solo ride, to get there. It was one of the most memorable and best ever Ride-Ins! For the entire summer, Big Red and I clocked rolled 7,982 miles. 

Along the way to Intercourse, I stayed over with friends in Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. In South Carolina, I visited with Millie, the wife of a motorcyclist I happened to meet in Oregon on my first solo ride the year before. Then I spent a glorious time with my daughter Asila and soon-to-be son-in-love David in North Carolina. It was then that I first met his lovely parents and gave them each a ride on my motorcycle. Before heading for Intercourse, I stopped in at my dear friend Peggy’s in Lynchburg, VA and took her for a ride, too.

A long ride into the night, on dark, undulating roads that wound through cornfields got me to the motel outside of Intercourse where I met up with my friend Trudy. She had ridden in from Bakersfield, and we would share lodging while at the Ride-In. 

Intercourse is just east of Bird-in Hand and north of Paradise. The many quaint shops, bakeries, and restaurants lured us in when we weren’t kicking motorcycle tires and visiting with buddies in the host- motel parking lot. Riding those two-lane country roads, our iron horses juxtaposed against flesh-and-blood horses pulling black buggies, kept everyone supplied with stories.

One of the featured events of the Ride-In was a train ride. A rainstorm had been predicted, but hundreds of us women bikers made our way to the train station in Strasburg anyway. We parked our bikes and picked up our box lunches just before the rain hit. As soon as the train got underway, the torrents came, blowing sideways and drenching everyone, especially those in the open cars. Hairdos trashed and pasted to our heads and clothes soaked through, we still managed to laugh and have a good time. A huge surprise met us when we returned to the parking lot to find a few bikes downed due to the rain and high winds and our helmets full of rain and waterlogged. It took days to dry everything out.


 Now, sixteen years later, when we get together with other WOW® members and reminisce about the Intercourse Ride-In, two things stand out: that train ride is one. “Remember that train ride?” someone asks, and we shake our heads knowingly if we were on it. For anyone who wasn’t there, we can describe it as if it were yesterday.

The other outstanding recollection is of the most awesome-licious banquet in the history of Ride-Ins. Those Amish cooks knew how to put on a banquet. Tables laden with delectable offerings of cooked-from-scratch comfort food and plenty of it delighted us all. Conversations go like this: 

“Were you in Intercourse in ’97?”

“Yes!”

Then simultaneously, “The FOOD!” accompanied by moans of remembered rapture.

The outstanding ride; the food, friends and fun; and the giggles over the name of the village make Intercourse a memorable place that belongs in my Travel Hall of Fame.

~ xoA ~



9 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the interesting and memorable ride. My first trip to Intercourse!

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    1. Thank YOU for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. xoA

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  2. This sounded like so much fun. I loved reading about it. Great post!

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    1. It was one of the most memorable of the many trips I've made across country and of the dozen or so Ride-Ins that I've attended. Thanks for responding, Jasmine. xoA

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  3. Those are the best kind of memories...the ones you share with someone else and all it takes is the one word to bring it all tumbling back. I really want to try some Amish food now. Wonderful post!

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    1. Thank you, Anna. I also shared this post on the Women on Wheels Facebook page and got a great response from a number of the women who were there in 1997. What fun.

      And the food? Heavenly.
      xoA

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  4. I like the fact that there is a town in "Amish Country" called intercourse. I am not sure why but that just made me chuckle a little. (Maybe I still have a little immaturity in me lol). I love your travel stories. Great Post!

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    1. You are not alone, Donnee. The name makes most people chuckle. And, more folks have sent me private emails about this one than any other. They say, "That title got my attention!." LOL. I'm glad you're enjoying the travel stories. Thanks. xoA

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  5. Yes, the title did get my attention too! I had heard of the town before, so as was reading the post, I remembered hearing of it.
    Really loving all of your adventures. Even though it rained, it seems like this was a very special time with all of your riding friends.

    And the food sounds wonderful - where are those pictures? :)

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