The Paper Mill House - Newtown Square, PA.

On St. David's Road in Newtown Square sits the only remaining structure and presence of the local mills that once existed along Darby Creek in the 1800's. It is called the Paper Mill House. The Newtown Square Historical Society uses this historic stone building as the location for the society's museum of local history. I have to admit that the only reason I had any interest in taking a tour of this house stems from my grandmom. She would point it out whenever we drove past it and she would mention how she lived there when she was a very young girl.

The Paper Mill House is open for tours on Saturdays & Sundays (in 2012 - I'm not sure about future or past times) in July & August from 1-4pm. Being the timely people that we are, we waited until the very last weekend in August to head over for a tour. We pulled into the parking lot from St. David's Rd and crossed a wooden pedestrian bridge that spans Darby Creek. We proceeded to the front of the building and entered the house. There were two people inside and they offered us a tour.

The house is three stories tall and housed four families when the mills were in full production. Each family had 3 floors in their own wing of the house. All of the floors were wooden and most of the staircases were not tall person friendly. At a stately 5'4" even I found the staircases to be unfriendly for the taller population; however, I know these were the normal dimensions used for housing back in the 1800's. Some of the rooms in the house were set up as bedrooms and many were set up as displays for the local history museum. The local history museum covered topics from historical relics found on site, old maps, old newspaper clippings, paintings of other area historical buildings by local artists, geological displays, period clothing displays, and even some local folk lore (Sandy Flash sticks out in my mind just due to his name).

The ground level features a mid-19th century general store replica. The general store had many objects of interested spread throughout it. One gruesome piece particularly stands out in my memory and it was the foot operated dental drill. As your teeth were being drilled, the dentist would actually pump the drill with his foot. Another thing that stood out to me was the sign of different homeopathic remedies for just about any illness/disease/pain you could imagine would trouble someone in the time before modern medicine. Those two objects made me grateful for the medical technology we have today!

Our guide also told us many interesting stories and facts about the property and the people who lived there. One of the stories was about the smallpox epidemic that struck in the late 1880's (I think that was the decade). Two thirds of the workers died and about a year later one of the buildings burned to the ground. There was no confirmation but arson was suspected to be the case. Speaking of fire, did you know the leading cause of death in women after childbirth was burning to death as a result of kitchen fires? I didn't either! However, after seeing the small size of the "kitchen" and the long flowy dresses women had to wear, it's no wonder that clothing caught fire.

One area we did not get to explore on our trip was the property itself. The trail was not weed whacked and one of us was wearing shorts rather than pants so we decided not to venture too far into the woods. When the trail is clear, you can actually walk along the creek and see the remains of the mills and a few other structures that stood on this property. It turns out there used to be several buildings on the property, and while the Paper Mill House is the last building standing, it was actually the smallest! Even the Paper Mill House almost didn't make it though. When the township acquired the property in the 1980's the roof was falling in and required a great deal of restoration. If you ask me the restoration paid off and it is a great piece of history in a township that is rich in history itself.


For more information:
* Newtown Square Historical Society.

 The front of the Paper Mill House & Museum.

The back of the Paper Mill House & Museum from across the Darby Creek.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Park - Elverson, PA.

Wake up & smell the charcoal! That's exactly what would have happened back in the late 1700's if you lived in the small coal-production village of Hopewell, PA. What lies there now is known as Hopewell Furnace National Historic Park. It is adjacent to French Creek State Park and makes for both an educational and adventurous day trip.

Hopewell Furnace NHP is rich in history. The furnace first went into production in 1771. Its main product was iron and the ironmaster's name was Mark Bird. The furnace provided much of the iron weaponry used in the American Revolution. Without Hopewell & other furnaces scattered throughout the colonies, the Revolutionary War would have been a hopeless cause! These furnaces literally fueled the birth of our country.

Hopewell, like other furnaces, also made their own charcoal. It was a very time consuming process not only to burn the charcoal, but to cut all the wood needed to create the fuel. The charcoal making process required 6000-7000 cords of wood, or 200 acres of woodland, to keep the furnace in full operation for one year. The owner tried to convert Hopewell over to using anthracite coal; however, this proved to be too costly and was abandoned. The cost of iron production combined with the post-Revolutionary war debt accrued by the government eventually forced Hopewell and many other furnaces to be shut down permanently.

Fast forward to the present day and you are in a very different setting. There is no more iron smelting, and except for a few visitors and period re-enacters, the place is virtually deserted. However, this situation provides a great setting to visit each of the buildings and take in the history. My top 4 building recommendations are the Water Wheel building, the Office & General Store, the Iron Master's Mansion, & the Spring House. One of the tenant houses has replicas of dishes, butter churns, books, card decks, and dominos that you can pick up and examine more closely. Upon arriving in the General Store we spoke with a park volunteer dressed in period clothing that told us more about the park's history than the audio recordings or information placards could have possibly given to us! She also informed us that just three times a year they have the charcoal pit going, and what luck, we just happened to be there for it.

The park is open from 9am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday from Memorial Day through late October. In the off season the buildings are open on weekends, weather permitting. There is no admission to the park. There are many events both historical and not hosted by the park throughout the year, and there is an apple orchard open to the public in the fall months. Most of the buildings in the park can be seen in under 1 hour; however, if you take the time to really examine everything, you should allot yourself at least 2 hours.

Other nearby attractions include: French Creek State Park, St. Peter's Village, and the Horseshoe Trail.

For more information:
* Hopewell Furnace National Historic Park.
* Friends of Hopwell Furnace NHS.
* French Creek State Park.

The view of Hopewell Furnace village from the French Creek State Park east entrance.

 

The water wheel, in operation.

The Ironmaster's Mansion.

Hershey's Chocolate World - Hershey, PA.

Back in December I met up with some friends from school in Hershey, PA. December is cold, so obviously we stuck with indoor activities. One of the places we decided to visit was Chocolate World!

On the drive in, especially from points east, it becomes very obvious when you are approaching Hershey. You can see the factory smoke stacks from several miles out. When it doubt, just drive in that general direction! Or just follow the Hershey Highway signs on route 422 to "The Sweetest Place on Earth." When we arrived and got our parking ticket, we discovered that you only paid for parking if you stayed longer than 3 hours, which was nice.

The first positive point of Chocolate World was that the attraction is entirely free. Everyone likes free activities! That being said, Chocolate World is definitely laid out in such a way to try to force you to spend money. The line starts near the front of the building, but the ride ends near the back. This allows them to plant thousands of pieces of Hershey merchandise between you & the door. Since we went at Christmas time, many people definitely were purchasing the Hershey hats, tshirts, and overpriced, oversized candy bars.

The second positive point of Chocolate World was the ride itself. The lines for the ride can become very long, but they also move quickly. We managed to squeeze 4 of us onto the backseat of our car for the ride. The ride takes you through a display of how Hershey's makes their chocolate. There are singing cows that emphasize "It's the milk chocolate!" The ride even turns your car in the correct direction you need to look. The only effort required on your part is to manage to get into the car itself safely (the floor nearby spins & creates an optical illusion that can easily make you sick). The ride itself lasts about 8 or 9 minutes and is a great way to see a theoretical version of the Hershey factory.

In the past, if you were to visit Hershey in the summer, it would smell so badly of chocolate you would become nauseous. However, they don't make nearly as much chocolate on site anymore so the smell is tolerable, if not absent during most of the year.

Hershey is a great family attraction with year round events. They decorate for Christmas but their main attraction is Hershey Park in the summer months. Your best bet would be to lump the Chocolate World Tour in with a visit to the amusement park. (It would also probably give your skin a break from direct sunlight if you burn easily!). So next time you are in Dauphin County, and need something to do, just swing by chocolate world and relax to the sound of singing cows.


For more information on the places mentioned in this blog:
* Hershey's Chocolate World
* Hershey, PA - The Sweetest Place on Earth

Sorry, no pictures! (Youtube has this place pretty well covered).

Roadside America, Inc. - Shartlesville, PA.

An innocent looking building labeled Roadside America can be seen to the south from interstate 78 (just west of exit 23 to be exact). From the outside it doesn't look like much. The building seems small by tourism standards and there's no extravagant decorations aside from the Amish couple statue. In fact, the statue seems more creepy than extravagant. But the plainness of this building is a reminder of the proverb, "Never judge a book by it's cover," because on the inside is exactly what defines America.

In 1939, Laurence Gieringer began to construct what would eventually become Roadside America. Gieringer loved miniature models and was able to make a living doing something he loved. Piece by piece the miniature village was assembled into the 8000 sq ft attraction it is now. This isn't your ordinary dollhouse village; it is full of fine detail, down to the face of every miniature person. There are real rivers with real water, working train sets, lights, and even some interactive displays.

You may be thinking that this sounds like every kids dream. And it is, even for the kid inside every adult. There's a section to the village to please city and country folk alike. Skyscrapers, farms, coal mines, caves, forests, trains, it's all there. If you don't like Roadside America, you are un-American and quite the grumpy-pants.

Check out the official website below for admission rates (not very expensive & worth every penny), hours of operation, and directions to the greatest tourist attraction in Pennsylvania. And make sure to plan at least 1 hour for your trip, we stayed 1 and a half because we looked at everything twice.


For more information on the places mentioned in this blog:
* Roadside America, Inc.



The Amish couple waving to interstate passersby.


Sneak preview! I don't want to spoil all the fun, but you have to understand the size of it all! This isn't even half of what awaits you...


My favorite display.

Local Weather Observations.

Anyone in Pennsylvania who has looked out the window lately isn't really phased by the weather. But to the outsider, our weather patterns are down right confusing. Take a look for yourself, with a representative comic strip from yours truly:

Pennsylvania Cuisine – Part 2: Desserts.

After eating some tasty delicious Pennsylvania style meat, it would only be fitting to follow up with a Pennsylvania style dessert!

Since today is a hot summer day (heat index: 109 degrees Fahrenheit & only about to get hotter tomorrow!) we should start off with a cold treat – Italian water ice. Across the state there are several water ice vendors, but perhaps the most well known is Rita’s Italian Ice. The company is headquartered in Bensalem Township and has spread across the state and region. Rita’s Italian Ice was started in 1984 by a Philadelphia firefighter. It’s no wonder the cool flavored dessert treats took off with a wide selection of water ice flavors, custard, gelati, and Mistos to choose from. The first day of spring is when Rita’s traditionally opens each year, and to celebrate, all patrons receive a free small water ice in a flavor of their choosing. My favorite Rita’s treat: Banana (or Mango) & Vanilla gelati.

Another popular cold treat is one that can surely be found in any nearly Pennsylvania grocery store - Turkey Hill Ice Cream (different from Turkey Hill Minit Markets). Made in Lancaster County, you can count on this ice cream to be both local and delicious. There are many flavors of ice cream to choose from and you can be assured that every single one is worth the money. From classic Vanilla and Chocolate to Peaches ‘n’ Cream, there’s a favorite flavor in the making for everyone. If you live in Pennsylvania and find yourself at the Farm Show in January, you will find Turkey Hill giving out free ice cream samples to everyone in attendance. Who doesn’t love free samples?

There are also two famous ice cream inventions rumored to have Pennsylvania roots: the Klondike bar and the banana split. The Klondike bar originated in Youngstown, Ohio (and even further back to Switzerland) but they were also produced in Pittsburgh. Until the 1970’s you could only get Klondike bars in Ohio or Pennsylvania. The original Klondike bar was a vanilla ice cream square with chocolate coating, but now there are many varieties and flavors available in many areas of the country. The banana split is rumored to have been invented in 1904 in Latrobe by David Strickler. A traditional banana split has one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, a banana (split in half), pineapple topping, chocolate syrup, strawberry topping, nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. The banana split is the perfect dessert concoction and it can be found as a speciality dessert in many diners across the country.

Now let’s say it’s not summer time anymore and you find yourself craving a warm dessert. Shoofly pie and apple pie are sure to hit the spot! Shoofly pie is considered to be a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert but it can be found across the country. It is a pie in which the filling is mainly molasses. It is sticky and sweet and sure to please even the most stubborn sweet tooth. Apple pie is not native to Pennsylvania or even to America, however south-central Pennsylvania is home to many large scale apple orchards. These orchards grow many different varieties of apples, and apple pie is always best when it is made fresh by mom or grandmom in the autumn months of any year.

Not a fan of pie? That’s okay, because we like cake here too. The most famous pie/cake/cookie that you can buy in Pennsylvania is the whoopie pie. There has been an ongoing (yet good-natured) argument over where the whoopie pie originated – Maine or the Pennsylvania. Since this is a Pennsylvania blog, my bias judgment is going to side with my own state. Pennsylvania Dutch tradition says the Amish created this sweet dessert, but it doesn’t really matter where it comes from. It can be made from chocolate, red velvet, or pumpkin cake batter. It is then cooked into cookie shaped pieces. These pieces are then made into a sandwich with sweet, creamy frost in the middle. Even though we’ll never know it’s origins, it is a definite must try treat, especially in the Lancaster County area.

The most famous brand name snack cakes to found in Pennsylvania have to be Tastykakes. Tastykake is a company based out of the city of Philadelphia and was founded in 1914 by Philip Baur and Herbert Morris. What made Tastykake popular was the fact that the individual sized cakes were easy to eat on the go. Just a few of the products they make are cream filled cupcakes, krimpets, kandy kakes, & mini pies. Everybody has a favorite Tastykake – mine is cream filled cupcakes. Tastykakes can be found in almost every major grocery store in the region, as well as in school vending machines. When I was a young kid we used to have to take Tastykakes with us up to New York for my grandparents so they could enjoy the snack cakes too. Tastykake has a powerful hold on those who have tasted them, and you can’t help but smile when the delivery truck drives past on the highway.

The final dessert to be mentioned in this post will be fasnachts. Fasnachts are a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition for Fastnacht Day (Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday). Fasnachts were invented as a way to use up all spare lard and sugar before Lent because the Amish typically fast from these and other ingredients during the 40 day period before Easter. Many people compare fasnachts to plain doughnuts, but buyer beware. These do not taste like your typical sweet doughnuts found in grocery stores or doughnut chains. They are an acquired taste, and they fill you (and your arteries) up much more quickly. If you happen to catch yourself in a part of Pennsylvania with a large German ancestry on Fat Tuesday, you just might get to try the Amish version of a doughnut.

For more information on the places mentioned in this blog:

* Rita’s Italian Ice.
* Turkey Hill Ice Cream.
* Klondike.
* Tastykake.

Pennsylvania Cuisine - Part 1: Meat & Sandwiches.

Since I recently have not had the opportunity or appropriate weather to visit the places I would like to for this blog, I will take this time to inform all of my readers about the unique cuisine in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians love to eat, so from snack food to cheesesteaks to scrapple, there's plenty of food for everyone to talk about and enjoy. However due to the high volume of foods produced in Pennsylvania, I feel it would be best to split this article into several postings for the convenience of both the reader and the writer. ;-) 

 

On that note, today we will start with some savory, meaty favorites from across the state and the sandwiches they can be found on.
 

Perhaps the most well known Pennsylvania food staple is the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. The first rule is, in Pennsylvania you drop the word Philadelphia and just call it a cheesesteak. The cheesesteak is probably more well known than it should be thanks to the rivalry between Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (locally known as Pat’s & Geno’s). The rivalry exists based solely on the fact that each location claims to have been the first cheesesteak joint in the City of Brotherly Love. Making the rivalry more intense is the fact that the restaurants are so close together. I personally think the best cheesesteak anyone can get is not from either of these restaurants, but from local pizzerias in the suburbs. There is not a pizza or sandwich shop in the suburbs or city that does not include cheesesteaks on their menu, so you don’t have to look far to find one. Many local restaurants even go so far as to include the cheesesteak in their breakfast in the form of a cheesesteak omelet. So if you are anywhere in southeastern Pennsylvania, there is a good chance you can get your cheesesteak fix without traveling to 9^th & Passyunk in Philadelphia.

 

The cheesesteak can be made a variety of ways but typically includes the following:
- a long hoagie roll (traditionally Amoroso's)
- thinly sliced steak pieces (usually rib-eye, though other cuts of beef are used)
- cheese (traditionally provolone or Cheez Whiz)

Other variations include:
- Using Swiss or American cheese
- Adding onions, mushrooms, peppers, ketchup, mayonnaise, or hot sauce
- Adding pizza sauce & mozzarella cheese for a “pizza steak"
- Using chicken in place of beef for a “chickensteak"
 

Many pizza and sandwich shops also have several other variations on the cheesesteak, which are usually their own unique creation.
   
Another sandwich from Philadelphia whose name is more infamous than famous is the hoagie. I use the word infamous here because many people often argue about the name of the sandwich rather than just enjoying it. In other parts of the country it is often called a submarine sandwich (sub), a grinder, or a zep, but in Philadelphia and the surrounding area it is called a hoagie. A hoagie is basically any lunch meat, cheese, and condiment shoved into a long sandwich roll. There are thousands of places in southeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the state to get hoagies made, but the most well known is probably Wawa. Wawa is a gas station/convenience store chain with hundreds of locations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. However it must be emphasized the Wawa food is not ordinary “gas station food” because Wawa actually started out as a convenience store and deli. The gas pumps were not added until much later. While the sandwich itself is not necessarily unique to Pennsylvania, the name hoagie is, and hoagies usually generate thoughts of Wawa in the minds of the locals. For anyone who hasn’t heard, Wawa’s Hoagiefest has started! Hoagiefest runs from May 23-July 31 so get out there and buy a hoagie from Wawa!
 
Now we will travel approximately 300 miles west to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh also has a sandwich which makes them famous. That sandwich can be found at Primanti Brothers. When visiting Pittsburgh, stopping at Primanti Brothers is not a suggestion but a command. A Primanti Brothers sandwich uses only the highest quality deli meat and cheese, tomato, French fries, and coleslaw. Yes you read that correctly. French fries and coleslaw in a sandwich. No you cannot order it with the French fries and coleslaw on the side either. Before you start picking off the French fries and coleslaw, at least try it first. The Primanti sandwich started back in the earlier half of the 20^th century when some customers just happened to get a bit of French fries on their sandwich. This turned out to be convenient for workers on the go, such as truckers, because everything was now crammed into one convenient sandwich.
 
Since we’re still on the topic of meaty sandwiches, let’s talk about one lunch meat that all Pennsylvanian’s know: Lebanon bologna. This is NOT your typical Oscar Mayer bologna that children sing happily about on television. Bologna is not necessarily a deli meat but actually a sausage. Regular bologna is typically composed mainly of pork but Lebanon bologna is an all beef dried sausage. Lebanon bologna comes from Lebanon County (surprise!) and originated with the Pennsylvania Dutch. Lebanon bologna tends to be sweeter, darker, and smokier than traditional bologna and is more of an acquired taste. Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats is the most well-known supplier of Lebanon bologna in the area, and they use a “secret” recipe from over 100 years ago. So next time you’re thinking of making a sandwich, consider adding a few slices of Lebanon bologna for a tangy, smoky flavor.
 
The next meat in Pennsylvania which virtually no one outside the area has heard of is scrapple. So, what the heck is scrapple? Well you probably wouldn’t eat it if I told you, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Scrapple is pork scraps (scrapple), corn meal, flour, and a variety of spices. If you’re above eating pork scraps, scrapple is not the breakfast food for you. Scrapple is usually molded into what looks like a meatloaf. It is then thinly sliced and fried in a pan. Scrapple is grayish brown and not aesthetically pleasing by any nature. However, in a world where waste is very common, especially in the world of butchering, scrapple makes sure that all parts of the pig are used. Nothing goes to waste. Scrapple, like Lebanon bologna, is also an acquired taste. Scrapple is traditionally eaten at breakfast with jelly, honey, or ketchup and most breakfast restaurants throughout the state offer it as a side dish along with bacon and sausage. If your taste buds are looking for adventure, scrapple is the dish you want to try, but don’t expect to find it outside of the Mid-Atlantic region. Want to take Scrapple home with you? Look for Habbersett Scrapple in the local grocery store, you’ll probably find it there!
 
Speaking of ketchup, did you know Heinz ketchup is made in Pittsburgh? Ketchup is one of the most well known condiments in the country, and Pennsylvanians will put it on top of nearly anything!
 
Another favorite in Pennsylvania, especially near Pittsburgh but throughout the whole state, is kielbasa and pierogies. Kielbasa is a Polish sausage and is usually smoked. Czerw’s Kielbasy of Philadelphia was featured on an episode of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern where they showed viewers how kielbasa sausage is made. Often kielbasa is served with pierogies. A pierogi is a dumpling that is usually filled with potato but that sometimes contains meat or cheese too. Pierogies are enjoyed through much of the northeastern United States, but Pennsylvania pierogies are important for two reasons. The first is that the famous brand Mrs. T’s Pierogies was founded in Schuylkill County. The second reason is Pierogies Plus, Inc., near Pittsburgh, makes pierogies by hand. It doesn’t get more authentic than a handmade pierogi. However, if you are in a pinch, Mrs. T’s is also tasty. Best of all, kielbasa and pierogies can be found at almost every church or county fair food counter in the state. With summer fairs just around the corner, you can start planning your kielbasa/pierogi treasure hunt.
 
And finally this blog will be wrapped up with two carnivorous traditions in Pennsylvania.
The first is the firehouse chicken BBQ. Since most fire stations in the state are run by local volunteers they often need to raise money to cover costs. This is usually done in the form of pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, and in the summer, chicken BBQs. On any given weekend in the summer you can drive past a fire station and smell savory chicken being cooked and sold to the local community. More importantly, it is a way for the people to give back to those who help keep our community safe from harm.
 
The second tradition is one that sounds pretty boring to most people and is more of a superstition than anything. However, if you live in Pennsylvania, you must eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day. It is considered good luck to do so and many churches even have pork and sauerkraut gatherings on New Year’s Day. So if you are in need of a bit of luck, you may just have to wait until January 1, sorry!

 

For more information on the places mentioned in this post:
* Pat’s King of Steaks
* Geno’s Steaks
* Wawa
* Wawa’s Hoagiefest
* Primanti Brothers
* Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats
* Habbersett Scrapple
* Czerw’s Kielbasy
* Mrs. T’s Pierogies
* Pierogies Plus, Inc.
* H. J. Heinz Company

Pennsylvania Farm Show 2011.

Most state farm competitions are held in summer or autumn, but for many Pennsylvanians the state farm competition, also known as the Pennsylvania Farm Show, occurs in January, just after the new year begins. Most people would believe that Pennsylvania is only home to corn & cows. However, the Farm Show teaches everyone that corn & cows are just two of the things Pennsylvania has to offer from its agricultural world. Pennsylvania's main industries are dairy, apples, honey, maple syrup, & corn, but they also produce poultry, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, pine trees, mushrooms, and an enormous variety of fruits, vegetables, & nuts. The Farm Show showcases each sub-industry within the larger agricultural industry.

The Farm Show for 2011 runs from January 8-15 in the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, the state capital. It is a week-long event with different demonstrations, items, & farming practices showcased each day. Entrance to the Farm Show is free, but you have to pay $10 for parking. If you come with a group of friends, it can end up being pretty cheap per person, & they even provide shuttles from the parking lot to the complex.

There are vendors throughout the complex and in the food court. Vendors often give out samples of their products, all of which are delicious and made using Pennsylvania grown ingredients. The vendors in the food court sell hot food products such as chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, fried mozzarella cubes, fried vegetables, honey ice cream and waffles, funnel cakes, & smoothies. The vendors in the main hall generally sell packaged products such as cheese, dips, sauces, & syrups.

After sampling the Pennsylvania gourmet delicacies, you can walk around the other half of the Exhibition Hall & admire the farming equipment & sustainable energy displays. There are tractors, trucks, trailers, solar panels, wind turbines, dioramas, & even cars on display.

Anyone who loves animals will enjoy walking around the many wings of the farm show complex. The complex houses cows, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, deer, and alpacas during their week long stay. It is great to see the variety of animal life available throughout the state; however, if you have allergies, this probably isn't the best place to be, because that is a lot of dander & feathers inside a mostly unventilated room. Throughout the week many people show their animals in the arenas for judging. You never know who will take home the blue ribbon for Best in Show.

The Farm Show is also home to many information booths for many different state departments including: PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Game Commission, PA Gaming Control Board, PA Department of Health, PA Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (see previous blog entry), and many more.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, you still have time to attend! The Farm Show runs everyday until Saturday, January 15th. You can find out more about the Farm Show & Pennsylvania agriculture at the links below.

For more information about the Farm Show & PA Agriculture:
* Pennsylvania Farm Show (has a full schedule of events)
* Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
* Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association
* Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers, Inc.
* Pennsylvania Livestock Association
* Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Council
* Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association
* PennAg Industries Association
* Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
* Pennsylvania FFA Foundation
* Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association



Display of apples from Pennsylvania's Apple Country, complete with apple related fun facts.


2 sheep in the animal housing area.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary - Kempton, PA.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's first refuge for raptors and other birds of prey. This is an important step in the world of conservation. The sanctuary offers a variety of activities for any bird-watching or outdoor enthusiast.

HMS is located just outside of Kempton, along the border of Berks & Schuylkill counties & only 5 miles from Lehigh county. To give you an idea of where it is, the 2 closest large towns are Hamburg & Pottsville. It is located about 10 minutes from the Cabela's off of I-78.

Trail admission is only $5 ($7 on weekends in the fall -- discounts are available for seniors & children). The money goes towards maintenance & conservation programs. To access the trails, just go to the visitor's center to pay your trail fee & receive your ticket before proceeding to the trails. The visitor's center is very informative and has souvenirs throughout. The sanctuary also provides free trail maps which can be put in a drop box to be reused on your way out. Below is also a .pdf version of the map from HMS's website.

There are 3 main trails in HMS. There is the North Lookout trail which is the most popular. It has roughly 10 lookouts, depending on whether or not you take the Express, Escarpment, or Regular trails. The first lookout, South Lookout, is handicap accessible and provides a view east and south of the mountain ridge. The view overlooks farmland in Berks county and the rest of Blue Mountain in the Kittatinny Ridge. You can also see the River of Rocks to the southeast. Many lookouts along the trail provide a different angle of the same view. At the top of the mountain you can hangout on North Lookout, which is where many people watch for raptors. To the northwest you can see windmills, to the north you can see the ridge continue forward, & to the southeast you can see the rolling farmlands of Berks county. The climb has about a 200-250 ft gain over 1 mile, but the view at the top is worth it.

From the North Lookout you can take the Skyline Trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail but involves climbing over & around boulders. The Skyline Trail also connects to the Golden Eagle Trails which lead to the River of Rocks Trail. You can also access the River of Rocks Trail from the North Lookout Trail.

HMS also allows people to buy a yearly membership, which gets members free admission to the hiking trails & helps to fund research and the protection of raptors. HMS welcomes all people to volunteer their time. Without volunteers, HMS would not be accessible to the public.

Even though the fall colors have already passed, the views are still amazing & worth being checked out. Maybe if you're lucky you'll see part of the hawk migration.

For more information:
* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hiking Trails Map [note: .pdf file]
* Appalachian Trail Conservancy




The view from South Lookout, 1280 ft.

The view from North Lookout, 1490 ft.

The Amazing Maize Maze at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm - Ronks, PA.

Fall is here and so is the harvest. It is the time of year for fall foliage and pumpkins. But in Pennsylvania, fall is also the time during which agritourism booms. Corn mazes, hay rides, haunted Halloween attractions, & festivals galore occur across the state. Lancaster county is one of the major agritourism hot spots where people come to see the Amish. However, there is another hidden gem that people travel from all over the country & world to see...

For the second year in a row we went to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm for the flashlight corn maze. (We choose the flashlight maze because, as college students, time is scarce during daylight hours & so is money!) This year's theme: 100 Years of Scouting in honor of the 100th Anniversary for the Boy Scouts of America. For those of you unfamiliar with corn mazes, a corn maze is a maze that has been elaborately planned and carved out through several acres of corn. There are many corn mazes across the state & they all follow the same general procedure. Usually you are given a map & told to find your way out. But they do things different at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. It is considered an interactive corn maze. This means that when you enter, they hand you a blank map. How are you supposed to find your way through a maze with a blank map, you ask? Read on to learn more.

Upon entering the maze we received our blank maps & proceeded to a small section where they fill you in on the rules of the maze and how to complete the different challenges. So about this blank map. Why blank? Well it's the maze goer's job to wander around blindly & find the pieces of the map which are located in mailboxes throughout the maze. As you find more pieces, the map becomes clearer & easy to read. This can get tricky if you are there for the flashlight maze as the dark can be a very disorienting environment for some people. But the darkness is part of the fun! On the map are also crossword puzzles, for which hints to the answers can be found throughout the maze.

In the back NW corner of the maze is the café area. In this area you can grab a bite to eat, grab a drink, use the toilet, or just sit down & take a break. The café is also a good place to get to because you can enter several different sections of the maze from there.

What happens if you get lost? Do you panic?! No. There are guides walking around among you who can help you find pieces to your puzzle & get you back on track. In the flashlight maze you can also ask for directions from the watch tower, who can use spotlights to guide you in the right direction. There is also a quick escape route from the maze in the event you cannot continue, so there is no wandering until you happen to find the way out.

The maze is both parent & kid friendly. However, beware of some rocks that may stick out of the ground ready to trip you (be especially careful in the dark). If you go during the day, there are many, many other activities to participate in around the farm. There are pedal karts, wagon tours, a fudge shop, an obstacle course, giant slingshots, & many other activities.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm & the Strasburg Railroad also offer combo passes to both places for a discount. This is a great deal for people wanting to spend a full day or weekend in Lancaster County. For others making a day or weekend trip out to Lancaster County, the farm has food on site. Food is also available at the Rockvale Square Outlets, the Tanger Outlets, & several locations along Route 30. Lodging is also available at the Red Caboose Motel & along Route 30.

The maze is only open until Saturday, November 6, so grab your friends & head out to the corn maze. It's loads of fun & if you bring enough friends along, you can race in teams!

For more information:
* Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
* Lancaster County Tourism
* Strasburg Railroad
* Rockvale Square Outlets
* Tanger Outlets
* Red Caboose Motel

Pictures may be added at a later date, don't want to give away too much of the fun!

Susquehannock State Park - Drumore, PA.

Nestled along the Susquehanna River in western Lancaster County is a small park with enormous beauty by the name of Susquehannock State Park. This small park is loaded with wildlife observation & geological opportunities. From bird watching to wild flower identification to hiking to picnicking, this park has something for everyone.

I will begin with a little bit of park history which can be found more extensively on the DCNR page listed below. As the name implies, the park was named after the Susquehannock Indians meaning "people at the falls" (they were also called Conestogas). They controlled the trade routes along the Sasquesahanough, or Susquehanna, River but were eventually driven out of existence by English settlers. The history between the settlers and the Indians is a brutal one. In 1850 the property was under the ownership of James Buchanan Long who built the Landis House (note: this building is UNSAFE and CLOSED to ALL visitors). This house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Landis House currently resides next to the park office.

If you are into birdwatching, this is an excellent park for you! You can see Mount Johnson Island Bald Eagle Sanctuary from the Hawk Point Overlook. It was the first eagle sanctuary in the world. Because of this close proximity, it is not uncommon to see bald eagles soaring through the air along the river. Other birds of prey that can be seen are turkey vultures and osprey. Song birds can also be seen in the park, but most birdwatchers come to see the birds of prey.

If you are into geology, you will find all sorts of minerals at the park, the most notable being olivine. Olivine is green in color so these rocks will stick out like a sore thumb on the paths, especially after it rains. I personally have picked up several olivine rocks because they are so interesting. If you are interested in geology, you will also like studying the mountains around & along the Susquehanna River. The park is approximately 250-300 feet above the river. That alone should be enough to tell you there are amazing views...

If you are into hiking for amazing views of nature, you're in for a double whammy. This park has two overlooks: Hawk Point & Wisslers Run. Hawk Point provides an excellent view south and west of the park. To the southwest you can see Peach Bottom Power Plant. To the south is Mount Johnson Island Bald Eagle Sanctuary & the Pennsylvania-Maryland border, also known as the Mason-Dixon Line. To the west you can see several islands housing cabins & York County, a mile across the river. To the northwest you can see more islands & the Holtwood Dam on a clear day. Follow the Overlook Trail to Wisslers Run and you will have excellent views to the west & north of the park. West provides the same views as Hawk Point but from a different perspective. North provides you with a closer look at the Holtwood Dam and the Muddy Run Storage Plant and railroad tracks.

If you are into hiking for the sake of hiking, there are several trails in the park:
- Overlook Trail (easy) 0.55 miles - connects the overlooks
- Rhododendron Trail (hard) 1.2 miles - goes down into the Wisslers Run valley
- Pine Tree Trail (hard) - goes down into the Wisslers Run valley
- Five Points Trail (moderate) 0.7 miles
- Holly Trail (easy) 0.5 miles
- Fire Trail (easy) - short logging road
- Spring Trail (easy) 0.4 miles - has pawpaw trees
- Nature Trail (easy) 0.3 miles
- Phites Eddy Trail - leads out of the park
- Landis Trail (easy) 0.6 miles - connects the Overlook trail & Landis House.

Susquehannock State Park has pavilions which can be rented for the day by calling the office or used by day users for picnicking. The park is open to horses. There is no individual camping allowed at the park (pre-approved groups only). Park information & maps can usually be found in the kiosk board by the parking lot. There are currently 2 geocaches in this park.

With fall foliage just around the corner schedule a visit to this park ASAP! Although it is beautiful in all seasons...


For more information:
* Susquehannock State Park - Drumore, PA. [DCNR official webpage]
* Drumore Township, Lancaster County, PA.
* Mount Johnson Island, Bald Eagle Sanctuary, PA. [note: .pdf file from PA Audubon Society]


View of the Susquehanna River from Hawk Point Overlook in summer.


View of the Susquehanna River from Hawk Point Overlook in winter.

Green Lane Park, PA.

Green Lane Park is an area surrounding the Green Lane Reservoir in northern Montgomery County. It is a local jewel, known mostly to only the residents in the surrounding area. There are several activities to chose from within the park including: boating, bicycling, camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, & horseback riding.

There are many miles of trails throughout the park which are shared by hikers, bikers, & horses alike. So hikers, watch out for horse poo while walking. The park also contains the northern end of the Perkiomen Trail. The Perkiomen Trail starts in Green Lane & continues 20 miles to Valley Forge National Historical Park. Currently there are 9 geocaches hidden throughout the park (at the time of publication) to find while hiking the numerous trails.

Fishing can be done at Deep Creek Lake or Knight Lake. There are fishing piers (a designated couple of spots on the bridge) at the northern part of the lake or you can fish from the shore at either of the two day use areas.

There are 2 campgrounds, one is equestrian equipped.

There is also a Nature Center in addition to the 2 day use areas in the park. Occasionally the Nature Center gives family friendly guided tours and is a popular place for school & scout field trips.

At Green Lane Park this past weekend was the annual Scottish-Irish Festival. It is $5 per car for parking. They have demonstrations such as Highland Games, Sheep Dog Demonstrations, Dance Group performance, as well as the usual children's activities found at most festivals.


For more information on the places mentioned in this post:
* Green Lane Park (Montgomery County Parks)
* Annual Scottish-Irish Festival
* Perkiomen Trail
* Valley Forge National Historical Park


The reservoir at Green Lane Park as the area is approaching drought conditions.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park - Gardners, PA.

Nestled in Cumberland County is Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Like all state parks it has trails, trees, and lakes. But it also has some more unique features to it as well. We started off our day by eating lunch next to Fuller Lake. The water was kind of on the green side but it is late in summer so that is to be expected. There is also an area roped off for swimming, which is nice, considering you can't swim in the lakes at many state parks! There was also a nice (read as "new") facilities building with bathrooms & changing rooms.

After our lunch we set out to climb Pole Steeple Trail. It leads about half a mile up a 400 ft incline to... well, Pole Steeple. Pole Steeple is a set of rocks (for the geologists, it is made of dolomite, rhyolite, & quartzite) which offers incredible views of the surrounding Michaux State Forest. There are 2 overlook areas adjacent to each other that each offer their own unique view. Beware that if you set out to try this hike, the trail is relatively difficult. It is also very rocky & steep so strollers are not feasible. Also, for those of you who geocache, Pole Steeple is an Earthcache! [EDIT: 3/31/12: This earthcache has been archived, but you should still visit anyways. Life is about the journey!] ... Why is it called Pole Steeple? Well, I had to do some research to find out! After reading Falcon Guide's Hiking Pennsylvania, I now know why it is called Pole Steeple! Way back, Boy Scouts hiked up to the steeple (definition: a pile of rocks) to mount a flag pole on the cliffs. The flag is long gone but the name stuck & the view is still great!

After climbing we went down to check out Laurel Lake which also has a swim area sectioned off for day use. Both Fuller & Laurel Lakes were used in earlier times as iron ore quarry which have now filled up with spring (cold) fed water. It's a welcome site on a hot day.

Other local attractions include the Appalachian Trail. The park actually marks the midpoint of the AT for those attempting to thru-hike it. Rumor has it that it is tradition for thru-hikers to eat an entire half-gallon of ice cream when they reach the halfway mark. The AT can be accessed from several places throughout the park. Maps can be found at the park information center. There is also an A.Y.H. Hostel in the park which is mainly used by AT hikers.

Another local attraction is the Appalachian Trail Museum. It is the only one of its kind! It opened June 5, 2010 and is seeking to preserve the AT Heritage. They are looking for item donations from people who have hiked the trail & laypeople who just want to help out. They are closed Nov. 1 to Mar. 31 so now is the time to go if you don't want to wait until Spring! The museum is located near the AT midpoint.

So if you ever find yourself in Cumberland County, PA needing a peaceful retreat (although most of the county is pretty peaceful to begin with) head on over to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for a picnic, a swim, a hike, or a history lesson.


For more information on the places mentioned in this post:
* Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, PA.
* Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
* Appalachian Trail Museum.
* Appalachian Trail Conservancy.



The view of Laurel Lake from Pole Steeple (~400 ft higher).

Shikellamy State Park, Selinsgrove, PA.

On August 9, 2010, we headed west from the Delaware Valley towards Harrisburg. That in itself isn't very exciting. However there was an adventure awaiting us just north of Harrisburg.

First, anyone who has ever been on route 322 heading towards Penn State has seen the Statue of Liberty in the middle of the Susquehanna River. This replica statue is 25 feet tall & she is the second version of the statue to stand there (the first one was carried away by the river in the 1990's).

From there we crossed the river & headed north on 11/15. We went past the purple dragon & the Moccasin Trading Post. Perhaps the best part of our trip to Selinsgrove was being along the Susquehanna River while squeezed between mountains for an hour. The views were nice & the river was calm. The vegetation was green & the water was clean. There are many boat ramps & wildlife management areas along the river to promote environmental awareness & outdoor recreation.

Upon arriving in Selinsgrove we did a quick drive through of Susquehanna University. The old style buildings & trees on campus were a nice touch in what would otherwise be an urban cement prison in many other places (at least in the minds of college students). Heading still farther north we were surprised to see so many chain stores & restaurants along the highway after seeing none for over an hour.

We stopped for lunch at a place called Skeeter's Pit BBQ. It was the best BBQ food I have ever eaten in my life. In fact, I would make a special 2.5 hour trip out there just to eat the food again. I got the pulled chicken sandwich & it was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was pretty mellow for a BBQ place. It had calming country music (not played so loudly you can't enjoy your company). It also provided both indoor & outdoor views of the Susquehanna River from atop the hill. The place also has strange but interesting looking bathrooms. Good strange, not bad.

After lunch we headed out to Shikellamy State Park. There are 2 portions to the park, the overlook & the island (Packer's Island). We went to the overlook first. The overlook part of the park has 3 overlooks at different elevations, ranging from about 700-800 ft, or approximately 100-200 ft above the local road & river. We started at the lowest one & worked our way up to the highest one. Although each overlook provided essentially the same view, each overlook provided it from a different perspective. It is probably important to note that the overlook area of the park is closed from late-October to early-May.

After spending some time with the overlooks, we went down to Packer's Island, which is between the towns of Northumberland & Sunbury. Being in the middle of the river, the island had a nice breeze. The island also has a marina, several boat launch ramps, a butterfly garden, picnic areas, & walking/jogging paths. We stopped at a cement platform called The Pinnacle to take pictures & enjoy the nice breeze. (Did I mention the nice breeze? On a day where the heat index was in the high 90's, the breeze was very welcoming).

For the ride home we decided to avoid the Harrisburg rush hour traffic & go through the coal region.

Overall we had a nice peaceful day along the river with a delicious lunch.

More information on the places we stopped at:
* Skeeter's Pit BBQ
* Shikellamy State Park




The view of the overlooks from Packer's Island.


The view of Packer's Island from the overlooks.

The Lincoln Highway - The All Pennsylvanian Experience.

I am starting out my blog with a write up of a trip I took in 2009 across the southern half of the state.

There is just something about the Lincoln Highway that creates a strange desire to seek out anything weird. Not weird in a bad way, but weird in a corny, touristy way. And that same desire struck my boyfriend & I as we traversed the Lincoln Highway through Pennsylvania. But first, I will tell you about the reactions we got from people BEFORE going on the trip.

Among the many reactions we got upon telling people where we planned to go were:
- "What's the Lincoln Highway?"
- "Where is that?"
- "But there's nothing there!"
- "Why would you want to do that?"
- "But the turnpike is shorter."
But the answers to those questions are easy.

What is the Lincoln Highway?
The Lincoln Highway is the first transcontinental highway in the United States. It ran from New York City to San Francisco. It was the first chance for motorists to see America while staying on one road. Today that road is now somewhat in disrepair & roughly overlaps several major state & federal highways.

Where is that?
In Pennsylvania, it roughly follows Routes 1 & 30, which is probably only a hop skip & a jump away if you live in the southern portion of the state. In fact, once you get west of York County on Route 30, you encounter many red, white, & blue signs with a penny (Lincoln's head) on it that lead you in the right direction of the Lincoln Highway. You really can't miss it, unless of course you are blind, but then you wouldn't be driving. Onward.

But there's nothing there!
Oh, quite the contrary. I assure you, the Lincoln Highway is home to MANY things you simply cannot see anywhere else. You just can't. So unless you also have Gettysburg or a giant pied piper in your backyard, you are wrong to think there is nothing there.

Why would you want to do that?
Why the hell not? Just because it's not the beach, a roller coaster, or ridden with alcohol doesn't mean it can't be fun. In fact, it was a very fun trip that I would definitely do again.

But the turnpike is shorter.
Okay now granted the Pennsylvania Turnpike takes about 3 hours off the trip. But then you don't get to see anything exciting on your ride, except for maybe the wind farms in Somerset County, depending on your definition of exciting. Also, the Turnpike from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh has quite a toll on it. Over $21, depending where you get on & off . So why not put that extra $21 towards gas & take the exciting route? Why pay an extra 13 cents a mile if you don't have to. Besides, the turnpike is too cliché.


Now that we answered those ridiculous questions, I will tell more about the desire to seek out the weird. I came up with the idea, basically from reading the book Weird PA by Matt Lake. If you live in PA, & have not read this book, go borrow it from the library & you will have a desire to seek out the weird too. And it's not boring, it has lots of pictures, if that's any encouragement. Throughout the book I noticed that most of the strange & corny attractions were along the Lincoln Highway. So I consulted my boyfriend to see if he wanted to go, & he said yes.

Fast forward 3 months. We finally set off! We hopped on route 30 in Downingtown & headed west. At first it just felt like we were heading to school, & that's rather depressing. But once we passed the Millersville exit & crossed over the Susquehanna river, it began to feel more like an adventure. Once we got past York, PA, I was no longer familiar with the area, which made it feel more like an adventure, seeking to quench my thirsty desire for the unknown.

Our first major stop was Gettysburg. I feel ashamed that I have lived in Pennsylvania my whole life & never once been to Gettysburg. But I finally made it! And I was in for a surprise. I pictured it being quiet & respectful of the bloody battle fought here. But it was kind of the opposite. It was loud & touristy. With lots of drivers who wouldn't drive the speed limit or even seem to notice they weren't the only people there. It's about the same size as Valley Forge Park, but there are many, many more monuments. So many that we didn't get to check them all out for fear of not getting to our next destination in time. It was different than I thought it would be, but I intend to go back & finish being a tourist myself.

Our next major stop was Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum. You might think this sounds ridiculous. In fact you're probably going to close your browser right now, but just at least finish this paragraph first. Mr. Ed's is not your typical museum. First off, it's a tiny shack looking thing on the side of the road. In fact, you might just think it was some shady local candy joint. But good news, they have candy! And it's not shady. If you get a chance, buy some fudge, it's delicious. They also have a kids play room. Yes sounds stupid, but lots of fun for the kid at heart. But when you get into the actual elephant museum you aren't sure what to think. It's so amazing that you really can't even put your thoughts into words. You think, yea, sure, how great could thousands of elephant statues be? But there were so many (besides the fact they were closing) that I don't even know if I got a good look at all of them! Best of all, the magic is free.

We stopped somewhere in Chambersburg for dinner. But that's not important. The important part comes after that. Once you pass Ft. Loudon, your car begins to ascend the first mountain. Tuscarora Mountain - Elevation: 2123 ft. Now if you fear hilly, windy roads, this road is NOT for you. (In fact on the turnpike they warn truckers to beware of route 30 for this mountain. They even use an ellipsis [...] on the sign. They mean business). Also, if you have never driven the mountains before, do not panic if your engine temperature rises, just simply shift it down one gear during the ascent & descent. The views were amazing from the first mountain but the road was so windy that they were gone almost right after you saw them. But they really were amazing. But as the mountain can also tax a car, it can tax your body too. Especially if you are prone to ear popping or nose bleeding. But if you are willing to ignore those problems, then more power to you! We went up another mountain shortly after. Sideling Hill Mountain - Elevation: 2195 feet. But after this mountain you can descend to a hilly but somewhat constant elevation in Breezewood, Everett, & Bedford. In Everett, there is also a giant quarter on the side of the road, begging you to take it's picture.

We spent the night in Bedford. It was strange because the air was so clean compared to at home. Yes we were RIGHT next to the interstate & less than a mile from the turnpike, but the air was STILL cleaner. And it was still quieter, ironically. The next morning we stopped at the Bedford County Visitors Bureau since they never sent me my stuff. We grabbed the usual stuff & an overglorified brochure for Gravity Hill. We saw a giant coffee pot & took a picture of that. Then we headed for the town of Schellsburg. We turned at the only traffic light in town, then set off for Gravity Hill. It wasn't hard to find, but the directions are wrong in the sense that you come up on the end of it instead of the start. So you have to drive a mile or so down this windy narrow road in order to turn around. But we did it, & much to our joy, it works! After that we went back to Schellsburg. We took pictures of the giant Pied Piper statue & some gas pumps. I didn't mention this before but now is as good a time as any!: Along the Lincoln highway, between York & Ligonier (rough estimate) there are 22 vintage gas pumps that were painted for the Lincoln Highway. And there are several murals as well. Worth a look!

Upon departing Schellsburg we began our ascent up the biggest mountain of our trip. Bald Knob Mountain - Elevation: 2906 ft. I later came to find out this is a very well known geological feature called the Allegheny Front. But about halfway up is the site of Grand View Point Lookout. There are plenty of places to pull over on either side of the road. You get out & there is a breath taking view. Supposedly on a clear day you can see 3 states (PA, MD, & WV) & seven counties. And we had a clear day. And there are just so many ridges of mountains that I'm positive we could see WV on that day. This was also the former site of the SS Grand View Ship Hotel. But in 2001 it burned down because the people who owned it felt the need to leave a TV on in there, & it started a fire (that's the rumor anyways). This is also the site of an important geological feature called the Allegheny Front (read as: super steep incline). The Lookout Point is literally halfway up the front... On the way down the mountain we passed a huge wind farm. I'm for wind energy & all, but it just totally ruins any nice views that were previously there. And they are rather distracting being so close to the road. We also passed a giant Praying Mantis statue & a giant Double Bicycle statue.

At the bottom of the mountain we reached Stoystown & Jennerstown before ascending the final mountain. (Laurel Ridge) Ligonier Mountain - Elevation: 2684 ft. Now by the end of this last mountain my ears had had enough of the pressure/altitude changes. They must have popped a million times at this point. At the bottom of the mountain we passed Ft. Ligonier followed by Ligonier. I hate to admit that for lunch we stopped at McDonald's, but we were starving & it was the first thing we saw that we were sure was cheap food for college kids on a road trip budget. We continued driving & in North Huntingdon Township we arrived at the Big Mac Museum. This is really just a hyped up McDonald's with a bunch memorabilia in glass casing. But we did manage to get a picture of the giant Big Mac in the play place.

We continued our journey into Pittsburgh. My boyfriend wasn't too thrilled about this part since he had seen Pittsburgh 2 other times this summer. But I was excited because I've never been there! We continued to follow Route 30 into West Virginia & Ohio. We went over this super shady bridge (literal & metaphorical). This completed our Lincoln Highway journey.

On the trip we also got lost in a random neighborhood in Pittsburgh which wasn't where we were supposed to be at all. And we did take the turnpike on the way home. But the trip was truly an experience. It was relaxing, but inspiring. It was a side of Pennsylvania that most people don't ever get to see in their lifetime. And sadly, most people don't even know it exists. But the Lincoln Highway is a magical place that I hope to travel again sometime, maybe even in full one day, completely across the country. But for now, I will settle for all the happy memories from the Pennsylvanian stretch of the nation's oldest highway.

More information on places mentioned in this blog:
* Gettysburg, PA
* Mister Ed's Elephant Museum (site does have ads & pop-ups)
* Bedford County Visitors Bureau
* Gravity Hill, PA
* McDonald's Big Mac Museum
* Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (for all things Lincoln Highway)

Pennsylvania: The Keystone State.

Pennsylvania is a very diverse state. It has diverse people, food, regions, geography, places, & things to do. Because of this diversity, there is an endless number of things to do throughout the state. The most well known travel site for Pennsylvania (PA if you're a local) is: http://www.visitpa.com/

My goal is to provide a more in-depth look at some of the well known & not so well known places through out the state that mean something to locals & visitors alike.

Now I will start everyone off with some fun facts & trivia about Pennsylvania:
- The name"Pennsylvania" means Penn's Woods, after William Penn.
- Pennsylvania has many nicknames including The Keystone State, The Quaker State, The Coal State, The Steel State, & The Oil State.
- The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg.
- Major cities in Pennsylvania (by population) are: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading, Bethlehem, Scranton, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Altoona, Wilkes-Barre, York, State College, & Chester.... just to name a few.
- Pennsylvania has 67 counties, 117 state parks, 20 state forest districts, & 14 state universities.
- Pennsylvania has 45,000 miles of rivers & streams including Delaware River, Schuylkill River, Susquehanna River, Juniata River, Allegheny River, Monongahela River, & Ohio River.
- At 3213 feet, Mount Davis is Pennsylvania's highest point. The lowest point is 0 ft along the Delaware River.
- Pennsylvania's most prominent ethnic backgrounds are German, Irish, Italian, English, & Polish.
- Pennsylvania is known for many things including cheesesteaks, the Amish, & covered bridges.

I hope you enjoyed some brief facts about this wonderful state & continue to read this blog to learn more about all that Pennsylvania has to offer.

Note: Most of my blogs will have the great outdoors, food, & other corny touristy attractions as their main theme; although, when possible I will incorporate other more or less well known places.