We keep driving, and there is another one, then a whole group of them...are we being pranked? Is the whole town in on this? Nope, turns out we are in Hasidic Judaism country! 

It takes us two hours to get to York, PA, the "scene of the crime" more than a decade earlier, when I showed up for the Bob Potts Trail Marathon, my first marathon ever. After having the jitters over the first few miles, I remember running and taking in all the cheers and good vibes from the good folks of York...unforgettable, and now I was back, with son and dog. And I still liked York, I decided. Another one of your old midwestern towns that hasn't lost a bit of its charm. Even if you had no interest in history whatsoever, you would like York, PA. Its shops, its restaurants, its parks, its people. 

I also had some unfinished business, admittedly. Back when I was a participant in the York Marathon, part of the package included a ticket to the minor league baseball team, the York Revolution, which would take place after the race. I was absolutely knackered after the race and decided to forego the ballgame in favor of getting some extra rest in Arlington, VA at the time. I still stand by that choice.

And as luck would have it, there would be a "Bark in the Park" event at WellSpan Park that evening, meaning all dogs got into the ballpark for free! Jade to a ballgame? Bash and I were a little nervous about this at first. Jade had anger issues that were still simmering beneath that dynamic, smiley pitbull personality of hers. Would she be able to behave, or would there be another one of her patented fights that would end up with her trying to take off somebody's face? 

Of COURSE, the visiting team was none other than their archrival, the Lancaster Barnstormers. Lancaster vs York, you just knew it. To my surprise, there weren't nearly as many dogs as I thought there were going to be. Luckily, we steered Jade clear of trouble, even though there were a few harrowing moments. But in the end, everybody got what they wanted. We got to see a ball game, and Jade got her people food, although the home crowd didn't go home happy. The final score: 8-5, Barnstormers.

We walk with Jade along the river following the game. Jade doesn't care about the Revolution or the Barnstormers, but where she can get her next sniff on. The river smells kind of funky, and Bash and I don't need Bash's snout to discover that. Jade loves the place. A new town, with new smells, pure excitement all around.

Two-for-two, York. It's still a great place. Due to time constrictions (and kid and dog who could care less about York's rich past), I visited no historic sites whatsoever. That would happen the next day, in the most eye-popping fashion, only 30 miles away from here.