We enjoy going to Meyersdale, Pa. It seems to us to be 30 years behind the times. That is a very good thing. Racing at break neck speeds with to do lists that are unmanageable is a nightmare but most people seem to live with.
Meyersdale is a welcome relief. Everything you need is easily located here, including peace. Time to reflect, walking not running through your life. http://www.meyersdale.org/ is the local web site.
Last weekend I walked through Meyersdale and invite you to revisit it with me now.
I walked past the fountain and up a sidewalk filled with different tiles of brown and beige. This color scheme is prevalent throughout the town. As I walked toward the town square the bank sign showed 6:30 am. The morning was overcast but comfortable. The town would be busy with the Maple Festival shortly.
I cut through a back alley and took a picture of an inscription on the back of a church ( I will share that later). Crossing over Main Street the vendors are on each side of the road. Meyersdale has great festivals. People come out and enjoy the simple joy of being together. At Christmas they light the Christmas tree and sing carols. It is a very real sense of community.
I walked up Main Street and turned at Sechler's ( a nice little store that just closed with the recession). The town had several investors who had brought some great ideas and remodeled some of the older buildings. They even had bought Christmas displays from Macy's and other department stores. In another building they made a museum out of the displays and had them operating. It was very nice.
The Java Cafe is nice welcome in town too. Try their cucumber sandwich sometime. It is good! Next door is a gift shop that my wife loves. Candles, primitives and lots of stuff! My favorite shop is the Beginner's Store. It easy to remember the owners name because he is Ron. A retired state trooper who sells furniture and what knots. You will never know what treasure you will unearth there. Say hi to Ron (he is the best treasure in the store).
Walking up the street I pass by many churches and head up the hill to the Catholic church. I think there are at least 6 churches in this town of about 2500. Again a nice sense of community.
As I go up the hill on my right side is a new apartment building. Mr. Nagy (I hope I spelled that right) has a mission going on in Meyersdale. While he and his wife reside in North Carolina, he redoes old homes or builds new rentals. They are extremely well done and maintained. I have only heard praise for him. I met him once and he is a very down to earth being. I suspect he does this because he loves Meyersdale and is giving something back. Isn't that a nice reputation. Giving over taking.
At the top of the hill I head even higher in town. Coming to an overpass I slip down to the bike path. This was an old rail line that runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Md and connects to the C&O bike path. So you can go from Pittsburgh to DC. The bike path is a so nice on a warm day to ride or walk. On both ends of town there are tressles that offer extraordinary views. When you come to Meyersdale this is a must.
Walking up the bike path there is a caboose next to the restored train depot. The depot is a beautiful structure with miniature trains, information and souvenirs inside. People really enjoy seeing it. Another simple pleasure in Meyersdale.
The descent down Main Street back toward the town square is beautiful. The rolling hills which are really moutains in the area are spectacular. You can see forever. The Amish farmers surround Meyersdale. No curtains on windows distinguishes an Amish farm (or so we were told). The Amish here have NOT taken tourism to the next level like Lancaster Pa. Instead they farm and live very simple lives. The local grocery in town even has a bar for the Amish to park their horse drawn buggies while they shop. The Penn Alps which is about 10 miles from Meyersdale has a mill, restaurant and artisan village which features everything Amish. Another must see and must eat when you come.
Walking down Main Street to my left is a restored home for sale. B&B potential the sign reads. Perhaps someone will fall in love with this town and adopt it. The house next door has an opening soon sign for a snack shop and bicylce repair. The town needed that.
Then I walked past the ice cream shop. The best soft ice cream you will find and just about any flavor. Right across from the shop an old building has had a mural painted on it. It shows an idyllic scene of Meyersdale.
It is then an idea pops into my head that God looks at us like I am seeing Meyersdale. While there may be unfinished homes and projects there are so many pleasant, good things here. Perhaps we always need finished and unfinished in our lives to keep us in balance. If that is perfection then Meyersdale is just that, perfection.
Going back down Main Street I pass Thomas' Drug Store. 4 generations have kept the doors open. Inside is a small but great handi mart, gift shop, drug store. It is another must see. Andrew the pharmacist even opened his shop after hours to fill a prescription for us. Thank you Andrew. (Andrew and his wife have a new son, so I guess the 5 generation is in training!)
Next to the pharmacy is an old hotel that will be renovated into condo's. I like to see old buildings redone. It will be grand and wonderful.
The GI Day Room is on my right as I pass by. We have eaten there many times. It was started during WWII and is still going. The pancakes have a smiley face on them and there is always real local maple syrup to slather on top. Good people and good times, another must see.
Then I turned at the square heading home. A nice walk. A nice town and one where I am sure I saw "fingerprints"!
Perhaps the child mentioned in the inscription above the church is symbolic of Meyerdale, too:
"A donation came from above to be used in a way that would make a child feel special. This child has touched a lot of people in so many ways. So use this gift wisely that it can help others in years to come.
God touched this church and left His fingerprints of Love"
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