Thursday, August 18, 2011
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:
Thursday, July 21, 2011
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.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
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. ;-)
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 9th & Passyunk in Philadelphia.
- 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"
- 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 20th 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!
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 20th 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
Monday, January 10, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
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.
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.
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