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By Kevin Williams
Wow, this is almost a depressing post because I'm not someone that likes to ever say "never." Â Yet, on the other hand, I have to be somewhat realistic. Â I'm 45-years-old now, I have two young daughters. Â I think I'm entering a chapter in my life where I'll be less mobile. I'd love to visit the Amish-Mennonite community in Waterford, Ireland but I'm just not sure how realistic that is. Â I mean, I have not been overseas since I was maybe 10. Â I'd love to go again someday, but I doubt I'd go to Ireland, I'd probably visit Africa, other parts of Europe or Australia. Â So I have to put Waterford, Ireland on the list. Â You know, though, things change. Â If someone had told me a few years ago that I'd visit the Amish settlement in remote Rexford, Montana I would have said they were crazy. Â So life has its curveballs. Â I still think I'll be visiting plenty of Amish communities over the years ahead, after all, it's my job. But these 5 I just am having trouble coming up with scenarios where I end up there, so this is my list of 5 Amish communities that I'd love to visit but can't see myself visiting:
WATERFORD, IRELAND: Â Would love to visit this Amish-Mennonite community, it'd be amazing. Â But I doubt it'll happen.
FERTILE, MINNESOTA: Â Â This is an Amish community in far, far northwest Minnesota. Â I've been to Minnesota two or three times over the years and North Dakota once. Â So I was close to Fertile when I was in Grand Forks. Â Realistically how often does someone make it to Grand Forks, North Dakota? Â Yeah, you get the idea. Â So I just don't think I'll probably ever make it here.
CASHTON, WISCONSIN: Â This are was once just bustling with Amish (and it still is), but for awhile it was just a "hot" destination, Amish were moving in from all over. Â This community is on the list for the same reason Fertile is. Â I've been to Wisconsin's Amish communities a couple of times and Cashton is pretty remote. I'd LOVE to go here, but I'm just having trouble finding a scenario in my mind where it happens.
Amish men at an auction in Statford, PEI - CBC photo, Sara Fraseru
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND: Â Man, I did not want to put this on the list. Â I just didn't. Â I WANT to visit here someday and I may. But I just have to be realistic. Â Prince Edward Island is not easy to get to, connected by a bridge to New Brunswick, which in itself is difficult to get to. Â I've been to New Brunswick twice over the past two years. Â I mean, the odds of me making it there again anytime soon? Â I say the only way I'd make it here is if the local tourism board underwrites a visit from me, which COULD happen. Â But it could also snow in Ohio in May. Â Yes, it could. But, very, very unlikely. Â The Amish are a new presence on PEI, having just moved here within the past year.
SEMINOLE, TEXAS: This is a large Plain Mennonite settlement about 80 miles southwest of Lubbock, Texas. I'd love to visit either this community or its sister settlement in Lott, Texas. Â I'm 45 years old and I've made to Texas twice (well, three if you count an airport stopover, which I don't really count). Â I have to be realistic that it's probably not going to happen with any frequency.
Tiffanie of Truly Skrumptious
I wish I'd known about the Waterford community the last time we were in Ireland, four years ago. We would have visited! Maybe next time. 🙂
Kevin
Darn, Tiffinie, you could have gone, the settlement was there four years ago. Let me know if you go back and I'll give you directions!