Adventures with KG!: Weekend in Reading, PA

For Memorial Day weekend I took a trip to Reading, Pennsylvania to visit some friends from my days at Central Michigan University.

First stop on our gorgeous weekend was a peek inside history at the Daniel Boone Homestead.

The Boone family settled here in 1730, and there were also 2 other families who lived there since then.

We sit on the porch of the old Boone home as our guide tells us history of the 579-acre homestead.

The home has a "spring cellar" with an actual small stream running through the basement area! This was quite rare and used for cleaning, drinking, and some food items could be placed in the cool water as a method of early refrigeration. The stream is still continuous fresh water and is especially convenient for food preparation when they do historical re-enactments on the homestead.

Here is the parlor with furniture from the period. This was used as a multi-purpose room, so all furniture was kept along the walls near the "chair rail" and was brought out to the middle of the room, used immediately, and then put back near the wall again.

On the wall in the kitchen was a built-in "Bible cupboard" that was used to store the family's Bible, birth certificates, land deeds, and other important documents. If the home burned, the items would be trapped in the wall and could generally be found in tact in the ruins.

Shannon climbs the very narrow and rounding stairs to the second floor!

Daniel Boone's parents were weavers, and we received a demonstration on how they prepared wool and flax for the loom.

The group with our gracious tour guide who had all of the answers for our crazy questions!

Outbuildings on the homestead, including a blacksmith workshop (used by Daniel Boone's father) and a barn with animals.

A glimpse inside to see the blacksmith tools of the 1700's.

Daniel Boone led an interesting life.

Some of the fascinating stories I heard included:

--At age 10 he started to explore the woods near the homestead and would take trips that lasted for 2 weeks or more.

--He was given his first gun when he was 13. Shortly after this time, he was proclaimed the best shot the country!

--When he was 40 he moved to Kentucky, and now I currently live in Boone County!!!

--At age 44 he was captured by the Shawnee Indians. Instead of being killed or becoming a servant, the Indian chief decided to adopt Daniel Boone as his son!

--He enlisted to fight in the war of 1812 (at age 78!) but was turned down.

--Daniel Boone dies at age 86.

Next stop on our tour of Reading is the Pagoda!!

Built in 1908 atop Mt. Penn, intended to be a resort. This is now a symbol of Reading and can be viewed from most places in the city.

It's the only pagoda in the world with a fireplace and chimney!

On top of the pagoda rests these golden dolphins, which are quite similar to the golden dolphins of the Nagoya castle. Legend says the golden dolphins are spirits meant to prevent the pagoda from being destroyed by fire. (Interesting because the Nagoya Castle has burned to the ground at least once...)

This giant bell rests on the 7th story and was a gift from Tokyo.

Kerri and Shannon enjoy the view of Reading from the Pagoda.

Third stop of the day is Albright College founded in 1856.

Brent poses with the lawn-decorated "lion", also the mascot of the school.

What's so special about Albright College?

How about my friend, Dr. Brent Harger, is a professor of Sociology - Family Studies there!!

(Although we are friends from CMU, Brent received his Master and Doctorate degrees from Indiana University.)

The campus was also historical and beautiful!

With lots of red and white flowers, supporting the school colors!

Kerri poses as the school's founder, Jacob Albright.

Time to fuel up with some food!! I select a sandwich with pretzel bread, and here's a fun fact:

Pennsylvania today is the center of American pretzel production--making over 80% of both the hard crispy and the soft bread types of pretzels!

Final stop for the day is an Amish village located in Intercourse, PA, where I bought several souvenirs, including a pair of socks that say "I heart Intercourse" with an Amish buggy on them. Maybe I can wear them on my next casual Friday?!

Kerri learns how to milk a cow...

I didn't learn how to make cheese, but I did immediately eat Amish ice cream!!

The petting zoo had some nice animals, like lambs and goats. Then they also had this donkey that tried to bite me 3 times (you'd think I'd learn to not stand so close the first time) and a spitting llama.