Two Lanes, Top Down, Green Dots: Day 31: Philadelphia to Bedford, PA

Day 31

Miles 245 (8184)
Two Lanes 60 (6139) 75%
Top Down 0 (7015) 86%

I dreamed of Philly Cheese Steaks. I had the basic yesterday and it was very good. But now I wanted it with the works. So after a lazy morning, we went back to Jim’s Steak House. This time I ordered it with everything, including the Cheez Whiz. Cheez Whiz?? Yes, that is the original and it is best because it melts quickly and gets mixed it with the beef. Yumm.

So here are the secrets to the best sandwich of any kind I have ever had:

1) use only USDA Prime or Choice lean top round
2) have the butcher slice it on the machine in slices no thinker than 1/8 inch
3) use about ¼ pound, dice it finely, and throw it on a hot griddle or large pan (they dice it on the griddle with the edge of the sharp metal spatula)
4) meanwhile, grill some chopped onions, and chopped multi colored bell peppers
5) throw some sliced mushrooms on the grill at the last minute
6) Now, here is the key…..when all of the ingredients are almost ready, take a hoagy roll, open it up, line both sides of the inside with a spread of Cheez Whiz, scrape the cooked and juicy meat into two long rows and lay the open hoagy roll down on top of these two rows. Let cook for about 1 minute, then use the spatula to flip it over onto a plate. Add the grilled onions, mushrooms and peppers. Use condiments of your choice (mine were small amounts of mustard and catsup with some pepperoncinis).
7) Enjoy.

Linda did not want one so I took mine to go and met her at the local coffee house down the block. We sat at an outside and I indulged. It was heaven. The best ever. Even Linda agreed when she shared a couple of bites. Then it was gone.

I suggested we get another to share for lunch in couple of hours. Linda agreed and I went back. The line had now grown from about five the first time I was there to fifteen and now snaked inside this small establishment. Maxine, the black moderately round woman in her fifties working the register (and clearly commanding the place) saw and said, “Weren’t you just here?” “Yes, responded, but that as so good I came back for another.” “Come me honey. You don’t have to wait in line again.” She then announced to the rest of the folks in the line (all white), “He has already been here today so he is not gonna wait in the line again.” She took my order, and in five minutes I had our lunch. Linda suggested that in this hest we should pack it in the trunk near the lid so it would stay hot. Good idea. Off to Valley Forge.

The revolutionary army was driven from Philadelphia in the fall of 1777 after the devastating loss at Brandywine. They were a rag tag poorly trained poorly disciplined army. They retreated to Valley Forge, about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Of the 12,000 men who started the winter there, 2000 died and 4000 deserted. As the spring came 6,000 were left. The future of the new republic looked dire. Franklin, working as an ambassador in France, helped changed the war. He sent a young Prussian officer to, von Steuben, to the colonies, Von Steuben, a mercenary, took over as the commander under Washington of training the troops. His methods were so successful that when they left Valley Forge in June 1778, they were a highly skilled fighting machine. They had gathered with forces who had wintered elsewhere, and had been successful in obtaining recruits. The Continental Army was now 20,000 strong.

Meanwhile, the British forces were occupying Philadelphia. While the Continental Army was dying of disease and making due with rations, the Brits were partying it up. Balls, feasts, fine wine and food.

Having had virtually no military encounters with the colonials for six months, the British high command decided that we were less of a threat than the French were in the West Indies. The British troops left Philadelphia, many off to the Caribbean.

The first battle of 1778 was a decisive victory for the colonials. The British must have wondered what hit them. Of course, rather than living the high life in Philly all winter, they could have pursued the Continental Army to Valley Forge and likely wiped them out, ending the revolution.

The rest is history. Three years later Cornwall surrendered at Yorktown, and the war of independence was over.

Next stop: Strasburg, PA and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, a State Museum. Most of the rolling stock is from the Pennsylvania Railroad, but they had the “Tahoe” from the old Virginia and Truckee Railroad in western Nevada. (See photos)

Now we are in Amish and Mennonite country. The background goes back to 17th century England. Cromwell had taken over England and King Charles I had been beheaded. Shortly before Cromwell died, William Penn’s father risked his life to secretly bring back Charles II, the heir to the throne, from the continent. As a reward, Penn’s father was given “Penn’s Woods”: Pennsylvania.

William Penn believed in true freedom of religion. He promised this to all who settled in his land. Quickly, the Quakers, Amish and Mennonites took his offer. Persecuted in Europe for their beliefs, they welcomed the possibility to leave and start fresh in a land without persecution.

The Mennonites came first to Lancaster County. They arrived in 1710. The Amish followed in 1735. Think of the Amish as conservative Mennonites. To this day most Amish will not use power tools or drive cars. The Mennonites will, but all colors must be dark, to the point of painting the chrome and bumpers black.

Enjoy the photos.

We had dinner at Bube’s Brewery. This place has been making beer since the 1850’s. During prohibition they dug out 4 stories under the tavern and kept making beer. We stopped and had a couple of pints of their Summer Ale on tap and a salad. Nice way to end the day.

Washington's camp at Valley Forge

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Power!

!895 Coach

The "Tahoe" of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad (Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Reno and Virginia City)

Do you think they have a dungeon?

While I am sure that these Amish and Mennonites know how to do this, the name of this 'famous' Pennsylvana town comes from old English meaning "crossroads".