Fleetwood Metal Body Company, Fleetwood, Berks County

I rather like this latest quest. I've mentioned my grandfather several times in this blog, and one of his hobbies was collecting and learning about vintage and antique cars. He and I were very close; I have fond memories of attending various car shows with him as a child. So I think he would have enjoyed this one.

As I mentioned last week, I had a recent road trip to Lititz in Lancaster County. Because my husband is a rather indulgent sort (which my longtime readers have probably noticed), we veered a bit off course on the way home in order to catch a marker in Berks County. Fleetwood is a small, unassuming community not far from Kutztown, where I attended the university back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, but it's had quite an impact on the automotive industry. 

John Siney, St. Clair, Schuylkill County

As you're reading this, I've just returned from my first-ever visit to Lititz, in Lancaster County. Spent some time collecting markers and learning about pretzels, so you'll see some of the pictures from the trip in coming months.

For this week's quest, though, we're heading into the coal country. Mining coal in Pennsylvania remains a big part of our history, as we've already had occasion to note in this blog, and this gentleman's story is a significant thread in the tapestry.

Christian Frederick Martin, Nazareth, Northampton County

Happy Groundhog Day! One of these years I'll get out to Gobbler's Knob and meet the famous Punxsutawney Phil for myself. Yes, there's a marker, but more importantly, there's a cute critter. Anyway, I'm hoping and praying that Phil has promised an early end to winter.

Unfortunately, regardless of what the Seer of Seers decrees, it's still really cold. So let's warm ourselves with some music by visiting the oldest guitar manufacturer in the United States.