The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • A Drive Along the Ridge

    This Autumn I had an opportunity to take a drive through State Games Lands 110 in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. The auto tour provides an opportunity to explore roads not usually open to traffic along the top of the Blue Mountain ridge.

    Deer, bear and turkeys are some of the wildlife you’ll find in Game Lands 110, a 10,310-acre forested area along Blue Mountain. The Appalachian Trail is located on the top of the Blue Mountain and runs the length of the game lands from Route 183 to Port Clinton. The area does provide some beautiful fall color. After a short but steep drive up the mountain, the route continued along a relatively flat road along the crest from east to west. Here are some of my shots from along the route:

  • A Detour to the North, Part III

    My travels this October finally led me into the province of Quebec. My trip included an unexpected detour to the town of Saguenay and ended in Quebec City. My best views of fall foliage were in Quebec, as you will see below. First up is La Baie, where my cruise ship was docked near Saguenay. This area has also has a lovely national park and one of the few fjords on the east coast of North America.

    I spent a short time in Quebec City before flying home.

    Rue St. Anne
    Statue of Champlain
    UNESCO monument, lower center
    Chateau Frontenac
    Public Art
    There are those fall colors.

  • A Detour to the North, Part I

    This October I was fortunate to take a trip to Maine, Nova Scotia and Quebec. Much of the topography of the inland areas, and the fall color, remind me of Pennsylvania. First up is a boat trip from Bar Harbor, Maine. This part of the Maine coast from Bar Harbor to Somes Sound is dotted with the “cottages” of the rich and famous.

    The trip was themed around the lighthouses of the Bay of Maine near the Mount Desert Island shore.

    Here are some boats, buoys, and critters along the way, along with a few looks at Mount Desert Island from the sea.

  • Happy Thanksgiving

    This is a weekend to remember all our blessings – the people, places and things that make life worthwhile. I am grateful that this Commonwealth has such and abundance of natural beauty and wonderful people,

    These guys are grateful not to be turkeys.

  • Coming Attractions

    Upcoming posts will feature a recent trip to Tioga and Bradford Counties, along with bonus locations. This will be followed by some very special “not in Pennsylvania” posts in Autumn. Stay tuned! In the meantime, here are some random favorites of mine.

    Blue Marsh Lake
    Clinton County hay bales.
    Model airplane field, Valley Forge

  • Looking Back at Fall at Valley Forge

    A November trip to Valley Forge National Historical Park produced better shots than expected due to some late fall color. The hay, culled from the park’s extensive meadows, had just been baled. The park was showing a lot of beautiful gold tones in the trees at this time.

  • A Little Bit of Christmas This and That

    Here is a look at some of the Christmas season scenes around my neck of the woods.

    This enormous wreath was at Jenkins Arboretum.
    Where these leaves were still looking especially colorful.
    The door display over a local business.
    The local bakery is in the Christmas spirit.
    Devon Station was looking good in the afternoon golden hour.

  • A Sugartown Christmas

    Historic Sugartown in Chester County has been featured on my blog before if you would like more information about this location. They usually do seasonal decorations. This Christmas did not disappoint.

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    The William Garrett House of 1805.
    The Book Bindery.
    Behind the Sharpless Worrell House …
    along with a close up of these wreaths.
    A reflection on the Carriage Museum.
    Nearby Sugartown Farm
    This lovely display was in front of the General Store.

  • It’s Still Fall, Folks!

    The Autumn color seemed to arrive late this year, even extending well into November in the southern tier of Pennsylvania. Valley Forge National Historical Park was still wearing its Autumn color when I visited. The Park had recently cut back some its extensive meadows. Valley Forge has one of the most extensive meadow habitats along the Northeast Corridor. In additional to occasional mowing, the Park also uses prescribed burns to rejuvenate the habitat from time to time. Let’s let Christmas wait a few more weeks.

    Red and orange …
    and yellow.
    Some of the expansive meadows ready for winter.
    Pop of color against the evergreens.
    The mowing lines are clearly visible here on the hill.
    One of the workhorses responsible with part of its haul.

  • A View from the Top

    Big Mountain Overlook, a short distance from the historic Lincoln Highway (US Route 30), is on the border of Franklin and Fulton Counties in Buchanan State Forest. On the ridge of Tuscarora Mountain near its summit, there are breathtaking views of the surrounding ridges to the east, and western views as you head up to the overlook. The overlook is at an elevation of 2458 feet. The lowest points in Path Valley are around 700 feet in elevation, giving views of roughly 1700 feet down into the valley, making this one of the biggest, if not the biggest, elevation differences between a summit overlook and the valley below within the state. On clear days, you can see about 100 miles out to Maryland, West Virginia, and Northern Virginia since this is gives a view beyond the end of the next ridges. The 252 mile long Tuscarora Trail, a spur route off of the Appalachian Trail, goes along the ridge.

    I believe the outcropping provides a better view, but I had difficulty finding it when I visited, as it is not well marked.

    Is this the way to the overlook?

    On my travels, I came across some interesting barns in the nearby valleys. The first, and another like it not pictured here, is a brick construction with some beautiful detailing. I don’t remember coming barns like this in other parts of the state that I have visited.

    I like the tile-like material on the silo and the steeples,
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