Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think 'Dutch' as in 'Pennsylvania dutch' is a mispronunciation of 'Deutsch', which is German.
The direction issue is not limited to PA, I am afraid. I have found that once you get out of cities, the people refer to landmarks based on historical facts, like the big oak or the railroad tracks previously mentioned. It can be frustrating, since we move with regularity. When I finally get used to one area, I get to learn another. :shock: :lol:
On the other hand, I have found myself doing this to my kids! :roll: When we go to the family reunion, I still reference, my grandmother's house (torn down) and the noisy wooden bridge (replaced with a modern one)! Shame on me...