PHOTO PROVIDED Water Wheel Carriages is based in Allenwood.

A horse-drawn carriage ride is perhaps one of the most relaxing journeys to take, especially during the holidays.

“Our business offers a ride in one of our horse-drawn carriages that actually becomes a relaxing journey and a chance to immerse yourself in the local beauty of our valley with a carriage ride experience,” said Joyce Lutz, co-owner of Water Wheel Carriages, a business at 103 Watson Road, Allenwood. She operates the business with her husband, Eric, who is a main coachman, and with occasional help from a family friend, Emma.

“We have a couple of routes that leave from our location and cover dirt roads and connecting township paved roads,” she said.

With stops at a local Amish supply store and a produce stand the regular journey takes about two- and one-half hours, she added.

Although offering a few different routes, the purveyors who guide Richard and Prince, their steady horse team, offer different kinds of rides and themes.

“They are full brothers 12 and 13 years old,” Lutz said of Richard and Prince, who are a Percheron/ Belgian mix.

“They have a very strong bond and do not like to be separated,” she said. “It took well over a year to gain their trust and establish a bond,” she added. “They started out as Amish work horses, but they seem to enjoy the attention and perks of their new occupation.”

Eric serves as the coachman and caregiver of the horses, while Joyce acknowledges she handles the scheduling, and will go along on the larger group rides to attend to the participants and act as a second driver should some need arise.

As stated, they have occasional help from Emma, who Joyce said she is grateful to have as a friend as she offers some social media help and fresh ideas.

The horses were purchased in February 2023, with the first official ride happening that July.

The horses remain on site, so as to serve the immediate Elimsport area, but customers hail from Williamsport, Bloomsburg, Lewisburg, and Hughesville, but they’ve had visitors from other states who are visiting family or attending the Little League World Series.

Their staging area for the rides is at the Watson Road, Allenwood address. It is just off Route 44, two miles north of Elimsport.

Type of rides

The business can provide either a shorter journey or an expanded one, which involves some picnic times.

Along the way, the carriage goes through woodlands, pastures and areas with mountain views, often stopping for curious and friendly horses, sheep, pigs, cows, and, sometimes, an entertaining donkey.

“We often stage our rides by a pond that once had a water wheel made by my grandfather,” Lutz said. “My husband would like to build another water wheel in that same spot so that was the inspiration for our name.”

“We have several different conveyances,” Lutz noted. The Victorian carriage can hold 12 adults. This handmade-carriage is based on the one that U.S. President William McKinley rode in 1897. It has an enlarged frame and is built out of oak wood with a cherry floor.

“This carriage is popular for a group celebrating a birthday or having a reunion or other small groups,” Lutz said.

Secondly, the “sweetheart carriage” is a private vis-`a-vis – which is perfect for a couple or two couples facing each other, and popular for anniversaries.

Third, the business has a rustic buck board style wagon.

“We have used this with hay for children’s birthday parties, and larger groups as this holds 20 adults, up to 30 with hay bales in the center,” Lutz said.

And, last but not least, most recently, the couple has been putting the finishing touches of a custom-built sleigh, named “Belle.”

“We are very excited about this new addition,” Lutz said, adding how Belle is based off of a design the couple found from Norway (Yes, the home to reindeer).

In the design of this sleigh, it is wheelchair accessible.

“We are hoping to open up this experience to those in wheelchairs who normally would not be able to have such an experience,” Lutz said.

Additionally, the business can customize the rides to include a picnic, special photography, or other requests.

“Recently, we had a husband and wife celebrate their 25th anniversary,” Lutz said. “She wore her wedding gown on the ride and had a photographer take pictures along the way.”

Shared experiences

A typical ride is exciting for the business’s clients as most times this is a new and different experience for them.

The Victorian carriage is the favorite of most of the guests, including families who want to share this experience.

“Pictures are always a must before they load up,” Lutz said, adding, “and most like to say ‘Hi’ to the horses.

After loading up, “we take a leisurely walk down the lane reminding people this was the way traveling was done about 100-plus years ago,” she said. “After we emerge onto the back roads, we trot along enjoying the breath-taking scenery, which people miss due to their fast-paced lifestyle.”

Trotting along over the roads hearing the clip clopping is incredibly relaxing, customers have said.

Riders ask basic questions, which incite relaxed conservations.

Over the roads and small stream beds, people get it, and are amazed at the relaxation of it all.

Stopping, walking and trotting

“Stopping at our local Amish-owned hardware store is dramatically more exciting when everyone is informed of their bathroom on premise,” Lutz said.

Baked goods are offered as well as drinks at the store.

The horses get some rest before their journey home.

“Walking and trotting along comes to an end as we turn into our familiar lane again,” she said.

The horses walk the rest of the way as they stroll into the staging area where it all began.

So far, in all rides, folks just want to hang around and thank the boys for pulling them and telling them they did a wonderful job.

Prince and Richard know they are appreciated as everyone says, “that was so relaxing” before they say ‘good bye.’

Reasons for starting up the business

Lutz said she and her husband, Eric, got into the business because he wanted to retire to “something.”

In fact, a dream turned into reality after a conversation he had with an Amish neighbor, and previous Airbnb host.

It sparked the idea of offering hay wagon rides.

“Once he saw a picture of the Victorian carriage that we eventually bought, he knew that was special, so we literally bought the cart before the horse,” Joyce said.

The carriage rides are special for so many reasons.

Not only does the couple enjoy taking the rides, they enjoy connecting with each of the guests.

The people along this route are always so friendly, she added.

“Many locals wave at us along the journey,” Lutz said. “Often, different animals along the way come up to greet us as we stop for a minute to say, “‘Hi.'”

One of the phrases they started this business with was “taking back time.”

“We truly feel that, and we also know that good memories are being made. It really helps people live in the moment.”

Anyone can schedule a ride by looking us up on Facebook. The pricing reflected reserves the whole carriage. Often participants divide the price up among their party. Calls can also be placed at (570) 816-8162 to make reservations. This is good if one wants to book a custom time or special ride.

“We are open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday,” Lutz said.