Today is Sunday January 25, 2009. The temperature outside is a balmy 25 degrees under cloudy conditions. As of today, there are 54 days until spring. Soon, we will begin to notice the trees budding, the grass turning different shades of green, the sun shining farther from the horizon, and best of all, warmer temperatures.
I know that there are photo opportunities during the winter months, but this year has been much colder that normal in Lancaster County. So what have I been doing instead of photography and writing this blog? I have been busy planning to visit places to explore once the weather warms up a bit. I have also been reading photo magazines, as well as, ordering travel brochures. (You can get free travel brochures on http://www.travelguidesfree.com/.)
In Lancaster County, there are plenty of places to photograph. Places like, Landis Valley Museum. LVM is a living history village and farm, collects, preserves and interprets the history and material culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940 and enhances understanding of their successful practices, interactions with others, and the impact on the state and nation for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth. (info taken from their website http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/.) I have visited LVM twice and it's a place that I put on my list to visit each year. So far, I have visited LVM during the spring and summer. My summer visit was an unexpected pleasure. I felt like I was on the set of the tv series "Little House on the Prarie". The weather was sunny and pleasant and there were photo opportunities everywhere I looked.
When you arrive at LVM, you are greeted by a smiling guest services representative, at the welcome center, who is eager to provide you with your ticket, map of the premises, and show you (on the map) the opened buildings. Some of the buildings include the Print and Leatherworking shop, the Blacksmith Shop, and the Maple Grove (one room) School House. There is also a tavern which a costumed-dressed employee explains the history of the tavern, and also prepares a meal over an opened flame. The tavern is a place where travelers could get a room for the night, and a home-cooked meal for about 40 cents.
The Landis House & Stable is a must see. The inside of the house is filled with many antiques and treasures, including a 8x10 camera with bellows. The rooms are small, but the air is filled with a rustic aura that has you imagine what life of the Landis brothers was like. Don't forget to stop at the Weathervane Museum Store to bring home a touch of Pennsylvania German craftmanship.
There are plenty more things to explore at LVM. For admission fees, hours of operation, and other information, please visit http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/.
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