I recently stopped in the Oley Turnpike Dairy, located south of (surprise!) Oley, Pennsylvania on (wait for it...) Oley Turnpike.  I first worked up a hunger by negotiating the twisties on PA 345 through French Creek State Park; it was early, so I had the whole park to myself. The blindingly bright low sun dappling thru the trees, making it difficult to spot potholes, gravel and deer, just added to the challenge.  The dairy started making its own ice cream back in 1970, and over the years, a diner and small petting zoo were added.  I'm not a big fan of private roadside zoos but as this one had only farm animals, and appeared very well-kept, I guess it's OK.  (Nothing like poor ol' Ricki the bear at another PA diner I've visited.) The diner was very busy, the grub decent enough, and the service was friendly if a bit harried.  As I was in the parking lot gearing up to leave, a tiny woman who had to be in her mid-80s told me how she'd motorcycled all over the country until she got "too damn old" to continue.  As I pulled away, she still had that wistful look in her eyes.

Labels: Critters, Diners, Eats, Ride Reports, Sport-Touring