Although Columbia County likes to tout their 23 covered bridges, it has much to offer the visitor.
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The countryside near the Creasyville covered bridge. Note the pumpkins on the hillside. Merry October. Christmas trees “on the hoof.” This clever sculpture immediately caught my eye. Cattle grazing near my family’s farm. The side entrance to my grandparent’s old farmhouse. This is door people used most often. The graveyard down the road from the house my grandparents built after they sold the farm. It’s small patch surrounded by fields. No church in sight. My brother, cousin and I used to walk up here often as kids. -
Along side one of the bucolic covered bridges of Columbia County, I found residents with some strong opinions about the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. This pipeline is designed to bring natural gas from Marcellus Shale fracking operations to markets on the East Coast. Construction began in 2017.
Sorry about the car window here. Such is photography with the car running. This sign was too good and colorful not to include.
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Pennsylvania has 219 covered bridges, the most of any state in the US. The bridges were covered to protect the wooden structural supports and allow them to last longer. The also provided shelter for pedestrians and vehicles in bad weather. Columbia County has one of the largest concentrations of covered bridges in Pennsylvania. I photographed some of them on a recent trip.
The Rupert covered bridge. I like the juxtaposition of the train line and the old covered bridge. 
A marked bike trail crosses the bridge. 
I love the bridges with windows. 
The train bridge adjacent to the Rupert covered bridge. 
The Wanich covered bridge. 
The Creasyville covered bridge. 
The Patterson covered bridge with some detail. 
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Here are some standard pretty, and some quirky, farm shots from eastern Lancaster County.
I loved the blue silos on this farm.
This makes me wonder exactly who, or what, is the “Amish mafia.”
For some reason this roadside sign really caught my attention, although these types of signs are pretty common in the area.
And finally, we have a wide view of a baseball field next to a farm.
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I spent the Labor Day weekend at Promised Land State Park in Pike County. I stayed in the CCC constructed Bear Wallow Cabin area. This is one of my favorite areas of the park, being close to the Wildlife Observation Station. The cabins also have a lot of rustic charm. The park is also a great jumping off point for side trips to Lake Wallenpaupack and other areas of the Poconos.
The lake in that ares offers some great sunset views.
The historic village of Promised Land, surrounded by the park, and nearby area have a unique character that draws visitors from three states. The large number of privately leased cabins in the park also seem unique among Pennsylvania state parks.
White baneberry, or Doll’s Eyes, is a distinctive and beautiful, if not slightly creepy looking, plant. This was growing around my cabin.
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I took advantage of a lovely evening to head out to East Nantmeal township hoping for some sunset views.
A beautiful farm at sunset.
Another view of the same farm.
A farm pond at sunset.
A farm on the hill in gathering darkness.
I came back the next day for some daytime views. The hay has already been baled at this farm.
A farm pond in the daylight.
It seems Christmas trees are grown all over Pennsylvania, even in Chester County.
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Thornbury Farm Market and CSA sits in the outskirts of West Chester amid the housing developments of exburbian Philadelphia. It’s a lovely place to pick up some local produce and other items. They are also available to host events.
A view of the vegetable gardens.
Tow Mater, making a personal appearance.
A cool vintage fire truck.
A nearby cornfield in summer.
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Every year a good friend rents a house at Lake Naomi and a few of us girls go up for a weekend. Here are a some shots from the most recent trip.
Bradys Lake in State Game Lands 127 in Monroe County is a hidden gem – a publicly accessible lake among sea of private development.
Bradys Lake, wide view from dam.
Like most of Pennsylvania’s lake, Bradys Lake is formed by a dam.
On to Lake Naomi, a very pretty private lake community in Pocono Pines.
A rainy Saturday afternoon at North Beach, Lake Naomi.
The black-eyed susans at Robert Christians Restaurant in Pocono Lake.
A doe with her fawn at Lake Harmony, Carbon County.
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