Eric and Elisabeth’s TripLog

An annual trip to the Reading-Lancaster area for Thanksgiving usually includes the yearly shopping excursion to the Rockvale Square and Tanger Outlet centers. However, this year, an extra treat before shopping included several suggestions of stops in the area by the three travelers, Eric, Elisabeth, and Elisabeth’s sister Chris. (Click on any picture to see or download the full-size version.)

10:55 AM EST

The first stop is the self-proclaimed “World’s Largest Pet Store” on Centerville Rd, called “That Fish Place / That Pet Place“. A giant shark greets all visitors to this amazing destination that could be described as “a zoo with cash registers.”

And the big excitement for your three travelers? Touching a live sting ray in the interactive pool.

11:10 AM EST

We left the fish/pet store and headed east toward the Strasburg / New Holland / Blue Ball area.

12:00 PM EST

We have been driving toward New Holland with the help of a Magellan 4040 GPS unit, but we are a little unsure about the exact location of our next stop: The New Holland Meat Packers and Beef Jerky outlet.

12:30 PM EST

We have passed Sheetz store #231 two or three times, and we still have not found the Beef Jerky outlet. Chris made the suggestion to take a Sheetz break, regroup, and possibly ask for assistance to the New Holland Meats location.

12:45 PM EST

We have finally arrived! Apparently all publications of the outlet’s address have West Main Street (even in the GPS), but it is on East Main Street.

Chris poses with the Beef Jerky Outlet sign (below).

Finally, we get to go in and get some jerky!

The following pictures provide some illustration of the “remoteness” of the location. (First: entrance drive into New Holland Meats behind some houses; Second: view from back behind the parking lot; Third: another view out back)

12:57 PM EST

We are leaving New Holland Meats to go find Jakey!

1:25 PM EST

After less than 30 minutes, we have found our next destination. This was much easier than finding New Holland meats (but Chris and Elisabeth will tell you that the trip to New Holland was very much worth it for some good beef jerky!)

Now after all of the running around Lancaster County, Chris decided to order the “Sampler Platter” at Jakey’s Amish Barbeque. Jakey doesn’t skimp on the meat. There is about 3/4 pound of meat on that plate.

After eating all she could and sharing some with Eric and Elisabeth, Chris still has a good bit of meat to take home in a to-go container.

And to commemorate our trip and the very delicious (not to mention filling) food at Jakey’s, Chris posed for a few photos.

2:20 PM

Next door to Jakey’s is “The Outhouse“, which provided some very entertaining pictures (below).

2:40 PM

Right in front of Jakey’s is the “Most-Photographed Building in Amish Country” (of which the pictures below help to continue that legacy). The “Dutch Haven” is famous for its Shoo-Fly pie, which Chris will be taking back to New York City. You can’t visit South-Eastern PA and Dutch Country without taking home a delicious Shoo-Fly pie.

Some more interesting signs and merchandise within the Dutch Haven store prompted more photographs.

The Exit sign above is somewhat dubious. Could anyone really get out of that door?

We also visited the Choo Choo Barn in Strasburg, PA, and the Railroad Museum of PA (also in Strasburg). There was some shopping at the outlets to finish out the day, but visiting Jakey and friends sure made the day a lot more interesting and adventurous. More pictures of the train attractions will be published in a follow-up post. From Lancaster County, that’s all for now.