This tour explores the watershed of Chickie's Creek and Little Chickie's Creek, in western Lancaster County. Lancaster County is roughly triangular, with points to the south, northeast, and northwest. Chickie's Creek drains the northwestern angle of the county. This is not the tourist's Lancaster County -- neither the buggies of the Old Order Amish nor the hex signs of the Fancy Dutch are much in evidence. Some of the local folks dress more for modesty than for show (that is, they are "plain") but use modern technology if it suits their needs. Others are "English." Most of the countryside is farmed, but the Lancaster suburbs have extended their tendrils into the valley of Chickie's Creek.
Route: From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, take exit 20 (Lebanon-Lancaster), turning right, south, on Rt. 72 to Manheim. You will pass by the site of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair. Turn left on Adele Ave and park at the end of the road near Shearer's Covered Bridge, in Manheim Memorial Park. Return to Route 72. left, and turn right on Rt. 772. Take the first left beyond the boro boundary on Sun Hill Road to Sporting Hill Covered Bridge.
Continue through the bridge, turn right on Mill Road, the first right, and left on Junction Road, to a right on auction road. At the T-intersection, turn left to Schenk's Mill Bridge. Continue through the bridge. Turn right at the T-intersection just beyond the bridge and right again on Spooky Nook Road. Follow Spooky Nook as it joins Prospect Road and turn right on Siegrist Road to Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge. Double back to Prospect Road and continue south to Rt. 23. Turn right on Bridge Valley Road. Forry's Mill Bridge will be visible at a distance. Follow Bridge Valley to and through the bridge.
From the bridge, turn left at the Y onto Iron Bridge Road and right at another Y onto Union School Road. Turn right on Rt. 772. In Mount Joy, take the left on New Haven. Turn left on Main Street and then immediately right on Fairview. Pass the vocational and technical school and turn right on Risser Mill Road. Continue on Risser Mill Road to a right on Pleasant Road to Risser's Mill Covered Bridge.
Continue through the bridge. Turn left on Milton Grove Road and, just beyond the creek, right on Meadow Road. Right on Cider Press Road and left on Route 72 to the Turnpike.
FOOD AND SERVICES Mount Joy is probably the best bet for lunch and services on this tour. Stop and stroll eastward, toward Little Chickie's Creek, on Main Street in this lovely western Lancaster County village.
