We stopped by Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland for a night, which was a pleasant break with shower facilities available.

This morning, we took a 40-minute stroll to Cunningham Falls, although it was more of a gentle stream than a mighty cascade. Despite the already sweltering heat and humidity, the walk was enjoyable.

Our journey took us into Pennsylvania, passing through Amish communities along the way. It was fascinating to observe their traditional way of life, traveling by horse and cart, bicycles, or scooters.

One highlight was Katie’s Kitchen, a popular spot run by the Amish. Despite hearing great things, we faced a 35-minute wait for lunch. The staff, all Amish, included tall, slender young girls serving as waitresses, who seemed almost too perfect. I briefly wondered if they were actors in costume, but they assured me they were genuine. It left me pondering the dynamics of their community.

Lunch was decent, with me opting for a meat pasta dish and Mike trying a corned beef and sauerkraut sandwich. The food didn’t quite live up to the wait, though. The complimentary bread rolls with homemade peanut butter were too sweet for my taste, feeling more suited to dessert.

Afterward, we explored the countryside, passing unmistakable Amish homes with bicycles parked outside instead of cars.

Stopping at a roadside stand, we met a friendly Amish woman and her son, buying some fresh produce including blueberries, cucumbers, and a few plums to sample.

The day remained hot and humid, though not as intense as Texas. Exhausted, we settled at Lake Locust State Park for the night, thankful for a powered site where we could run the air conditioning before dozing off. Showers weren’t available, so we made do with towel washes and enjoyed a simple dinner of bacon and egg wraps.