Gap, Pennsylvania

Just off US Route 30, on Pennsylvania Route 41, is the community of Gap. Named after a break in the Appalachian Mountain Chain, town historians recount the visit of William Penn to the area in 1701. The houses in the community are nestled into the hillside and, like many towns, some of the major services have migrated to larger cities.

Among the remaining businesses in town are the Gap Diner and the Town Clock Cheese Shoppe. The Diner serves Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, as well as regular diner fare. Lunch at the Gap Diner can be an interesting cultural experience: We were in one afternoon when a young man, who I assume was home from college, was introducing his girlfriend to his Pennsylvania Dutch grandparents. The girl was clearly nervous and the grandparents seemed to struggle with making conversation. The Town Clock Cheese Shoppe is a fourth-generation business that sells a wide variety of tempting cheeses. It is a great place for nostalgia, interesting stories and a quick snack to take on the road. Bill told us one funny story about the time he was driving his delivery truck. He notice that the potholes ahead appeared to be moving. He got out to look and saw a baby black kitten alone and afraid down inside one of the potholes. He took it home and for the rest of his life never wanted to leave Bill’s side.