Today I went on a bus trip to Rice’s Market and Peddler’s Village in New Hope PA. I had heard about these markets in my Philadelphia guide books which also cover the Bucks Country area. So technically this trip was part of my exploration of the greater Philadelphia area. But I wasn’t particularly excited about this trip since it only involved shopping.
The bus stopped at the McDonald’s off the 277 Exit where Interstate 80 meets the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This was of particular interest to me now because it is near Lake Harmony, where the Vloggerheads Poconos vacation will take place. I could see that you should make a left there to head towards Lake Harmony instead of going straight ahead through the turnpike. I’ll have to remember that next year. It takes approximately an hour and a half to reach Lake Harmony from Williamsport.
The bus passed through Quakertown so I got to see a little of this borough (in PA a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city). The driver got lost on the way to Rice’s Market. This was understandable because there weren’t enough signs to show you the way and the roads were slightly confusing. It was amusing to see someone else get lost on Pennsylvania’s rural roads just like I do. That is one of the beauties of tour bus trips. It is someone else’s responsibility to find the way to your destination.
Bucks Country seems like a lovely area with upscale rural homes. I saw many McMansions set back in wooded lots with stone walls, bordered by corn fields. The fall foliage is just starting to add some color to the woods. I also noticed quite a few horse riding establishments and corals of horses.
Rice’s Market was quite a disappointment. The merchandise was completely uninteresting to me and the quality of goods was worse than a dime store. Seriously, you would find better things at Family Dollar. The books were mostly water damaged and the DVD cases were faded from being left out in the sun. I also saw lots of cheap costume jewelry and trashy fashion accessories. This flea market would only interest a vintage clothing queen and I did see quite a few of those walking around. I almost did not buy anything at all but after lowering my standards I bought a quartz crystal and the Mystic Faerie Tarot at an occult bookstore type stall. Don’t laugh, that was the only marginally interesting thing I could find.
Fortunately Peddler’s Village proved to be a much better shopping experience. Peddler’s Village is a quaint village of boutiques housed in cottages. I thought the village was slightly tacky and looked like a real tourist trap but the boutiques were fairly upscale with quality merchandise. There was British Car and Bike Show event hosted by the Philadelphia MG Club so Peddler’s Village was really crowded. Seeing all those British sport cars was an extra treat.
I quickly found the Canterbury Tales Forever book shoppe where I bought the guide book Frommer’s Maryland and Delaware which includes Baltimore. I also bought the Victorian novel The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins for inspiration for my future trip to London. After that I came across a shop that sold German merchandise, Black Forest Clocks, where I splurged on a cute Bavarian rodent stuffed animal, a Germany coffee mug, and some imported German ground coffee, Jacobs Krönung, Bester Spitzenkaffee mit dem Verwöhnaroma.
Then I found the Cock & Bull restaurant where I gave them my name to reserve a table because there was going to be an hour’s wait to seat me. This restaurant had a Zagat rating sign so apparently it is considered to be a fine restaurant. But until I could be seated I keep busy by buying some ice cream and doing a little more shopping. At a boutique called The Mole Hole I bought something that I usually would not be interested in, a glass paperweight. I bought the glass paperweight because it did look quite lovely and had an usual property; it glows in the dark. When I got home I found that it only just barely glows in the dark.
When I returned to the Cock & Bull restaurant I was immediately shown to a table. I ordered fish and chips and a glass of Riesling white wine. I ordered fish and chips as a preview of London fare. You can’t buy a fish and chips frozen diner in the United States. I don’t think any restaurant in Williamsport serves fish and chips except for maybe Red Lobster. I thought the fish was perfect with a very crusty coating and tender flesh that was fully cooked. The wine tasted too strongly of alcohol, almost like drinking chemicals. The portions were large so I was unable to finish all my chips and the coleslaw.
That will probably be my last bus trip for this year because it is getting colder and I don’t want to travel over the winter. I do have a reservation on a local train excursion this month. This train will probably go right past where I work since we frequently see Lycoming Valley Railroad freight trains go by.
