We may suppose that Pequea Creek takes its name from the same root as that of the "Pequaws" people who lived along its upper reaches. The creek cuts across Lancaster county from its northeastern border to its southwestern one, where it empties into the Susquehanna. It also extends from some of the most tourusticated sections of the county to one of its most peaceful and isolated. It is a long tour, and parking is tricky at many of the bridges, especially if you are not spending money. The bridges are pretty and their locations splendid, but they are more typical of Lancaster County than different and distinctive. In short, this is probably not the bridge tour for the Lancaster County visitor "who is only having one." But for the bridger who would enjoy a liesurely drive the length of a charming creek, with covered bridges plentiful along the way, it is a joy.
Route: This tour begins on Route 30, the Lincoln Highway, at the eastern boundary of Lancaster County. One way to get to the beginning point is to exit the Pennsylvania Turnpike at exit 22, south on state route 10, and right, west, on Route 30. Turn right on Bellemont Road to Leaman Place Bridge. Return to Route 30 and continue west. Turn left on Soudersburg Road, or, if you miss it, on Ronks Road. At their intersection is Herr's Mill Covered Bridge.
Continue down Ronks Road, which becomes Paradise Lane southeastward to a diagonal left on Fairfiew Road, right on Gap Road into Strasburg. Strasburg is a pleasant little town, and restaurants there might be worth a trial for lunch, if the hour is right -- but we didn't stop, so we have no recommendations. Following Route 741 through Strasburg, continue on Miller Street when Rt. 741 curves away, right on Hagers Road, following it to the left as it becomes Penn Grant Road, which you follow to Neff's Mill Bridge.
Continue west on Penn Grant Road to a left on South View Road, which merges with Lime Valley Road, to Lime Valley Bridge. Return to Penn Grant Road and continue west to a left, south on Route 272. Right on Pennsy Road -- just before the railroad! -- right on Rawlinsville Road and an immediate left on Frogtown Road. Right on Covered Bridge Road to Baumgartner's Mill Bridge. Return to Frogtown Road. Continue west to a left, south, on Route 324 and follow it to a left on Fox Hollow Road to Colemanville Bridge. For the fast route back to the PA Turnpike, return via Rt. 324 and Pennsy Road or Frogtown Road to Rt. 272 and go north to Rt. 222 to exit 21.
Food and services: Strasburg seemed to us the best bet for a restaurant lunch and, you know, conveniences. But we had planned a picnic at the Pequea Creek Recreation Area, at the far end of the tour near the Colemanville Bridge. That was a pleasant picnic stop if a little late in the day. We had found a filling station and convenience store at Rt. 741 and Lampeter Road, a little off the path, where we topped the tank, bought some cookies for the picnic, and made a rest stop. Nice folks. Outside these oases and the tourist village at Herr's Mill (admission $8.00), there were few opportunities along this drive.
