Intercourse is only three miles from Paradise

It might not always seem like it, but Paradise is within reach.  Film fans might recognise it as the setting for the 1994 Christmas crime caper, “Trapped in Paradise” starring Nicolas Cage.  It was filmed in Ontario, Canada and has terrible reviews, so don’t rush to see it if you haven’t already.  The real Paradise is a pleasant place, with an old mill and farming country surrounding it favoured by Amish settlers.

Lancaster County Amish by Utente CC-BY-SA-3.0 via Wikimedia

Paradise isn’t one of those places that’s packed full of sights, but you’ll find a few worthy visitor attractions in and around the place, including a bakery at nearby Dutch Haven which has been making Shoo-Fly Pie since 1946.  Similar to a treacle tart, it’s made with molasses and is thought to have got its name because the sweet smell attracted flies which needed to be shooed away.

Shoo-Fly pie by Syounan Taji CC-BY-SA-3.0 via Wikipedia

Nearby Intercourse lies about three miles to the north, in the heart of Amish country.  It’s another filming location, this time the setting for the Harrison Ford movie “Witness” and unlike in the case of Paradise, the scenes were actually shot in town.  Its name dates from 1814, the time when villagers ditched the moniker “Cross Keys” in favour of Intercourse.

Intercourse keystone marker by Doug Kerr CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia

The origin of the name and reasons for the change are a little unclear but could be after a nearby racecourse called Entercourse.  It might instead be a reference to the intersection between the Old King’s Highway and the road from Delaware. And of course, it could derive from the meaning fellowship or social interaction.  Whatever the case, it’s a good place to head to pick up some traditional arts and crafts, hand made furniture or even take a buggy ride.  And speaking from experience, those buggies get up some speed!

Intercourse, PA by Jon Dawson via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0