Summer: it’s all about July

All of a sudden June is over and the plans made for summer are stacking up for July.  When August rolls around, we start thinking about school shopping and the busy days leading up to fall. Then there is the harvest of peaches, corn, tomatoes and zucchini that need to be put away in some form or another for the winter.  So July it is.  July is the month to completely and utterly enjoy Summer.  Here are a few ways we have done it this year.  It could be my favorite month of the year, especially when the temperatures stay in the eighties and humidity comes only with a cooling summer rain, which hasn’t always been the case, but it’s nice when it happens.  Thankfully today has not been a typical July day of temperatures hitting the 100 degree mark and falling quickly when a thunder-storm came through.  Now as I finish this blog the sun is shining and the cool air is coming in the open windows.   The beginning of the month was cool enough to wear a lite sweater while watching the fire works on the 4th of July.

This year first Friday was on the fourth, and there was much to do around town. Our first stop was to get in on the live music performance by popular local artist, Brittany Opperman, at the in town Hauser Winery.

It was an evening to browse the stores, catch a bite to eat at a restaurant not tried before, and watch baton twirling on the square.  Oh Look!   A wedding in the back of the train station, out of sight to all but those who parked in the parking garage.  We arrived just in time to see the bride come in.  It was going to be a good night as we never expected to see either of these events.

A stop at The Sunrise Soap Company offers a free sample of a lovely lavender bar and a taste of a patriotic cake at  A&A Village Treasures.    These are great little shops for unique gifts and fun stuff for yourself.

The streets were for shopping and decked out for celebrating our great town and nation.

No better way to end the fourth celebration than to walk into the college grounds while the band is playing John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever, to a lively crowd.

A trip to Mr G’s ice cream place on a warm July evening is an unbeatable people watching experience, and a memorable moment for your taste buds, that keeps you coming back for more.

When out-of-town guests arrive for the weekend, the first stop of the morning is the farmers market on the square. The abundant local produce is pleasant to look at and to take home for the pure freshness of it.

You can alway stop for the photo opt with Perry Como and Abe Lincoln.  What does that book say anyway?

A little further down the street we see a couple of fellows celebrating Gettysburg’s famous base-ball player, Eddie Plank, dressed in some old-time baseball uniforms.  You gotta love those striped socks.

Look what’s new,  the rescue mission thrift shop has moved uptown. We stopped by to catch a bargain on our way out-of-town.

Later it’s out into the country side to see the historic round barn, enjoying the nearby horses and beautiful country side.

On to a tree maze, and winding roads through orchards and hills.  I must admit we cheated again getting out of the maze, I hope I learn the route before the trees are too big to squeeze through.

It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania!

Next stop; a Pennsylvania Pig Roast in the Pines with family and friends.

A fun home-made water slide all the way down the hill is enjoyed by all.

It’s time to close out this day with a trip to the local winery, for the beautiful views and dancing the night away to the sound of the beatles.    “We love them, Yeah, yeah, yeah!’

What an enjoyable July day, and it is only the middle of the month with lots more summer fun to come.

I still think a zip line from the top down to the round barn would be a good idea, just sayin’.