Flea Market Freeze Out

This morning, the weather app on my smart phone gave me the bad news: "A Wintery Mix" is expected across Central Pennsylvania.

And that can mean only one thing. Time for holiday shopping? Time for warm sweaters? Time to put out the electric blanket?

Surely you jest! It means that outdoor flea market season is ending!

Dear David (the "Grampa" in "Gramma's Linen Closet") and I made one more trip out to Western Pennsylvania for the Fleatique at Tour-Ed Mine. Lest the name confuse you, the Fleatique takes place on the grounds of an old coal mine that has been restored and is open to the public for tours.

The morning dawned cold, and there was mud from the previous day's rain, but we were undeterred! And rewarded!

LOTS of vintage Christmas!

As we headed home, we spied some "Antiques and Artisans" signs by the side of the road, and set off in hot pursuit. We discovered the Whispering Pines Antique and Art show after a long winding drive through the near barren corn fields. It was worth the drive. Although the vendors were all high-end dealers, and we didn't buy anything, the grounds of the Whispering Pines farm are just gorgeous.

And, taking advantage of the beautiful weather, we drove home via old Route 30, the Lincoln Highway. Once the primary East-West thoroughfare through Pennsylvania (before the Pennsylvania Turnpike), there are vestiges of another way of life: small, cottage-style roadside motels, abandoned gas stations, Mom and Pop diners, and...

An 18-foot Pied Piper! Once an early children's theme park, Storyland near Bedford, PA is now abandoned. The original owner's daughter maintains a charming gift shop just past the original entrance, but the park itself is off limits to the public. (The photos were all taken from the gift shop parking lot with the owner's permission.)

So what did we buy at the Fleatique?

Startex Tablecloth with Pink and Yellow Roses

A Canada Souvenir Tablecloth

A Carrie Wilson signed Bridge Cloth

A trio of unused Mid Century Tea Towels

A Leacock Tea Towel featuring a Butcher and a Shopping List

I DO have one Ace-in-the-hole: Our local flea market at Williams Grove is open ALL WINTER LONG! We'll bundle up and brave the colder weather in the name of vintage.