On a trip to the Loyalsock State Forest, I managed to catch a cloud inversion from the High Top overlook one morning. The town 0f Hillsgrove below was completely obscured.
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Fall Has Finally Arrived
It looks like the much delayed Autumn color has finally arrived to Chester County this year. I just hope the season isn’t brief. Here is a sample of some of this year’s color.
A corn field seems to be on fire in Glenmoore. 
It looks like this is what was growing on those stumps in the previous picture. This and another tree were next in line with the stumps but had not yet been cut. 
A beautiful farm in Coventryville. I always love the star on the barn. 
Another radiant fall cornfield and treetops. 
Scotts Run in French Creek State Park. It’s apparently a red and orange free zone. 
The barn at the Mansion at Hibernia Park. -
In Black and White
Here are some black and white views of subjects in previous posts.
Graveyard in the fields near my grandparent’s home. 
Train bridge near the Rupert covered bridge in Columbia County. -
Columbia County Beyond the Covered Bridges
Although Columbia County likes to tout their 23 covered bridges, it has much to offer the visitor.
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. -
People Before Pipelines
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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The Bridges of Columbia County
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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Farms of West Vincent Township
Here are some shots from my trip around West Vincent Township in northern Chester County.
This season’s hay has been baled.
Peaceful scene of cattle on a hillside by a farm pond.
I loved the slope in this shot.
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Cattle Herd and Adorable Calf
I came across this adorable calf with the rest of the herd in West Pikeland Township, Chester County.
With mom.
Meet some of the rest of the herd.
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Nearby Lancaster County
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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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.
