The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • Entering the Promised Land

    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.

     

  • Sunset Drive Through East Nantmeal Township

    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.

  • A Stop at Thornbury Farm Market

    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.

  • Annual Poconos Weekend

    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.

  • Ski Areas in Summer

    Pennsylvania has many great ski areas for winter time fun. Here are a couple in the off season.

    Roundtop Mountain Resort in York County has water attractions, zip lines, and paintball in the warmer months. It is also close to Gifford Pinchot State Park.

    Big Boulder in Carbon County has its own beautiful lake and is near the Lake Harmony resort communities and many other Poconos attractions.

     

  • Ready For a Ride

    Saw this lovely horse at Evansburg State Park being prepared for a trail ride.

  • A View from the Rim

    This is the view from the Fireline Trail at Hickory Run State Park of the Lehigh River and an old bridge support. This view from the rim of the Lehigh Gorge is a fairly accessible half mile walk from a road. It should also provide a nice sunset view.

  • Calves, calves everywhere …

    On a trip to Locust Lake State Park this spring, I cam a across a farm with quite a few new additons to their cattle herd. Here are a few shots plus a bonus pic.

    Mother and child.

    A frisky calf.

    Bonus nuthatch nest from a tree in my campsite at Locust Lake.

  • Time for the Night Sky

    I took advantage of a rare clear Saturday night with a late rising moon to do a little stargazing at the gun range in State Game Lands 43 in Elverson, PA. It was a very pleasant evening and I had some company of other stargazers and photographers. This was mostly a scouting trip for this location. I had binoculars with me. I also experimented with a few photos, although I had not originally planned taking pictures. Four planets were visible that night – Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. The sky there is a bit of an improvement over home. I guess I will have to drag my telescope and tripod out of storage next time.

    Venus setting in the west over the tops of the trees.

    Jupiter higher over the treeline.

    A faint picture of the Big Dipper. I am just learning night sky photography and am amazed this came out at all. Open a larger image in a new tab to see this better.

  • Around Delaware County – Farms Behind Fences

    As the county with the lowest percentage of open space in southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware County is not someplace you might expect to find agricultural activity, but there is more than you think.

    Linvilla Orchards is probably the best know agricultural operation. Not only do they grow fruit here, but it has been a beloved local attraction for decades, featuring hay rides, pick your own produce, playgrounds, visits with animals, and a wonderful market.

    Pick your own.

    Out the back to some cornfields.

    A visit with Mr. Billy Goat.

    A pony ride to remember.

    Indian Orchards Farms is near Linvilla and sells locally grown and organic produce. It has some pick your own options as well.

    Farmstand at Indian Orchards.

    Obey the Orchard Rules!

    Pick your own blueberries.

    Finally, Hidden Valley Horse Farm is located within Ridley Creek State Park and offers boarding, riding, and instruction. It was hard to get close enough to photograph anything, and the horses all had their butts to me.

     

    One of the residents.

     

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