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“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail… Simplify, simplify.”

Henry David Thoreau

While the trip itself is not so simple, its point is simplicity and tradition. It is also research for a future book with the working title “Simply Amish.” You can subscribe to the site—you’ll receive updates and posts via email. We do not share your information with anyone, and you can unsubscribe at any time!

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Road Trip Itinerary

• Our travel plans are summarized here. Twenty-one days and probably close to 3,000 miles!

Trip Updates

Read about our experiences and thoughts while traveling. (A good reason to subscribe to the site–you’ll be emailed updates!) The most recent is at the bottom.

• We’re Already Here explains how the idea for the trip came into being. To paraphrase Jack Falvey, “We spend our lives trying to make it but the reality is, we already have.”
• One for the Money is a brief summary of how we decided to travel–fifth wheel or hotels?
• Two for the Show describes the highlights and purpose of the trip.
• Three to Get Ready points out that the devil may be in the details but there are only so many.
• And Four to Go! raises some questions about being ready and whether some things are an event or a process.
• Stress? What Stress? Our first day of travel serves as a reminder.
• Oh No! Not That Again! Construction ahead! Lane ends… merge…
• Honey, I’m home! Well, our temporary home in Sugarcreek Ohio. It’s an amazing place!
• First Impressions... they may not be accurate but they are sure to be interesting!
• We’re Not Tourists! We’re just pretending to be!
• Being at Behalt You may want to put this place on your Bucket List.
• It Was Sunday, Afterall A technology issue and maple frosted cinnamon buns encourage a gelassenheit moment.
• Shop ’til You Drop? Sometimes there’s a lot of simplicity!
• I’m Engaged! A very short explanation for the lack of recent updates!
• A Word from Anina Our young friend helps out with the updates.
• Oops, I forgot! Supper with an Amish family impacts my memory.
• Rachel Is Right Again! My priority package gets a little bigger thanks to her.
• Heading for the Hitching Post I’m bringing home my oxen.
• Are We Driving or Communicating? Some afterthoughts, reminders, and lessons learned.

About the Amish

Here are some stories and thoughts I’ve written previously. You can also enter “Amish” in the search box on the top right of the site. (It’s a small green magnifying glass.)

• Weird But Happy Hearts (2024) You could always try comparing suspenders with some Amish kids.
• How Many Priorities Should You Have? Amish friend Rachel knows the simple answer. (2023)
• Life’s Lessons (2023) I “met” Anina and started learning from her when she was only seventeen weeks old! We’re going to meet her in person during Road Trip 2024!
• Meeting Mrs. Miller (2023), A great lady who is Swartzentruber (very conservative Amish), and her farmstand in Corinth, Maine.
• Can I Help with the Peaches? Barbara explains that being Amish isn’t about what you give up; it’s about what you get. (2023)
• Mr. Boomsma Learns to Count (2021) Hanna Rose has this figured out!
• My Special Honor (2021) A piece I wrote gets published in the Budget, a National Amish Newsletter.
• Cows, Corn, and Calm Why I became interested in the Amish some forty years ago (2020)
• Making Change and Not Making Changes We went from a paper bag to a calculator in a decade. (2012)

The most credible blog I follow (and have written for) about the Amish is “Amish America” by Eric Wesner. Social media seems to include a lot of misinformation and anti-Amish sentiment. Erik is diligent!

Oxen and Cows

Previews of Coming Attractions This short video includes some highlights of the June Workshop, basically the same one I’ll be attending, minus making a yoke.

• Gee! Haw! (2014) Meet four year old Julia and her two large friends.
• Thanks, Julia (2021) Julia is still at it!

Referrals and Resources

(More to come!) Some of the people and places we’ve mentioned and are comfortable recommending:

• Adam Mulia, Private Wealth Advisor – Don’t let the word “wealth” intimidate you. Wealth is about more than money. He’s licensed in a number of states and it’s worth an email or phone call to meet him.
• Linnehan’s Right Way Auto – We’ve bought all of our recent vehicles here. Talk to Brady in Bangor and tell him we sent you!
• Tiller’s International — an amazing organization! Watch for more information in updates.
• Katrina Hoover Lee (Anina’s Mom) and her books. Find out what the Brady Boys are up to!