To paraphrase Paul Simon, there’s something about a train … that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful. There’s a place in Clearfield County, PA not far off Rt 80, that offers all the romance and nostalgia anyone could desire! Five restaurants, one location, and each one of those restaurants in a very cool historic railroad […]
Pennsylvania
Biking the Butler – Freeport Rail Trail
On the southeastern side of Butler County, about an hour northeast of Pittsburgh, is a delightful bike trail, the Butler – Freeport Community Trail, which runs 20 miles through a scenic wooded valley, along the corridor of the diverse Buffalo Creek Watershed. In fact, in several sections, the trail parallels Little Buffalo Creek to Buffalo […]
Schuylkill River Paddle!
So ready for warmer weather and kayaking season again! On a warm Saturday last fall, we started our exploration of the Schuylkill River, near Landingville, PA, down to the basin created by the Auburn Dam. Because of a dam constructed to catch coal mine silt in the late 1940s — part of the effort to […]
Enjoy the Countryside, Drink Some Wine!
Beginning in March, I started a series of posts about Clearfield County, PA. This is the second of the series. To see others in this series, click on the label “Clearfield County” at the bottom of this post Central PA usually raises visions of coal mines, lumber operations, or simply (and more positively) as elk […]
Amazing Nature at Bilgers Rocks
I’m always game for interesting rock formations and outcroppings, so when I learned about Bilgers Rocks, I knew it had to be on my visit list. The World Is Looking to US, carved in 1921 just after WWI, the “War to End all Wars” Bilger’s Rocks is a massive, 300 million year old rock formation […]
National Museum of Industry History
A relatively recent addition to the area, the National Museum of Industrial History, just opened in late 2016 and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution; it seeks to preserve, educate, and display the industrial history of the nation. It’s not just a cool place to visit — it’s in a cool place, an old building […]
Abandoned School Photo Safari
The J.W. Cooper School was originally scheduled to open in 1918, but the Spanish Flu epidemic was tearing across America, and thus the school building was commandeered and used as a temporary hospital and morgue because the local hospital was unable to accommodate the large number of victims. Finally, in May 1919 the building was […]
Eight Winter Day Trips Not to Miss in 2018!
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t you should sit at home waiting for warmer weather! Here are eight winter day trips you should definitely try out this year!! Island Beach State ParkWinter is a great time to appreciate the wonderful natural environment of a beach, without the hordes of sun worshipers. Shaped by storm, wind, […]
UTVing Through a Winter Wonderland!
I called so we could go snow mobiling, but the weather didn’t cooperate. The woman on the other side of the phone laughed, and said she could hook us up with a fun ATV ride instead. Sure! (So actually, these were utility vehicles, not ATVs. UTVs are equipped with roll cages, seat belts and side restraints […]
Barns of the Delaware Water Gap Photo Safari
This is another of periodic “photo safaris” of places we have visited! I hope you enjoy this visit to several of the barns within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area! Sadly, although we encountered a park ranger (who investigated us investigating the barns), we did not have the forethought to ask the names of […]
Who Let the Dogs Out?
Dog power has been used for hunting and travel for thousands of years, as the dog – human partnership deepened. My fascination with dog sledding started with being forced to read Jack London’s Call of the Wild as a kid. Later on, I learned about the real life dog-hero, Balto, and how he helped save […]
Having a Blast at the Hoover-Mason Trestle
Beginning in late November, I started a series of posts about Lehigh Valley, PA. This is the third of this series. To see others in this series, click on the label “Lehigh Valley” below this post. So long-time readers of this blog know that I’m pretty much fascinated by any history — whether it be […]
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
n late November, I started a series of posts about Lehigh Valley, PA. This is the second installment of this series. To see others in this series, click on the label “Lehigh Valley” below this post. In Bethlehem, PA, there’s a unique museum, inspired by a unique woman who was born just as the Civil War […]
Christkindlemarkt in Bethlehem PA
Beginning with this post, I’m starting a series about Lehigh Valley, PA. This is the first installment of this series. To see others in this series (once they’re published), click on the label “Lehigh Valley” below this post. Celebrating 25 years this year, Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem is a great way to spend a fun afternoon as […]
Fabulous Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh — the butt of all the jokes we Penn Staters used to tell when I attended that university — constantly surprises me. It’s a lovely city, and possibly one of the prettiest places in Pittsburgh is Phipps Conservatory. Phipps offers a visual romp of color and surprises, between lovely blooms and foliage to the glass art […]