....."Our buggy ride with Sam was definitely a highlight of the trip"

11/18/07 Denny McDonnell, Carolyn Paquett, Sandy McDonald
Ottawa, Canada

  I have made arrangements with one of the local Amish men, Sam Shetler, to provide our guests with horse and buggy rides through the Amish area. He would be happy to take you to some of the Amish road side stands, including his, and will be happy to chat with you about Amish life on the farm. He will also take your picture in the buggy, but has asked that you not take his. I am sure you and your family would enjoy this unique opportunity. He has indicated he would do these rides for a fee of 50$ (for about 1 hour ride, the price includes tip) and you can pay him directly. He would prefer to do these in the evening so he could attend to his chores during the workday, but is somewhat flexible depending on the season.

   Sam is a very handsome, sincere and gentle young man and has two horses that are "very safe" as he puts it. Of course the Amish are real horsemen and when you see their horses drive by big trucks and over iron grate bridges and back out of parking spaces you will see their abilities in action. We encourage all of our guests to support some of the local Amish folks here through doing some shopping at their road side stands and perhaps enjoying a buggy ride as well. If interested, please contact me with as much notice as possible as Sam does not have a phone and I will have to make arrangements with him in person. We were not sure that they would be willing to do this, and neither was Sam, but after thinking it over and conferring with some of the elders, he has agreed to give it a try. We are just delighted to be able to offer you this opportunity.