The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • Centre County Celebrates Christmas

    Homes and business in Bellefonte, Howard, Milesburg, and Boalsburg are decked out for the holidays.

  • Somerset City

    The town of Somerset, with a population of around 6,000, is the county seat of Somerset County. It is close to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and is a good jumping off point for the many varied activities that the Laurel Highlands area has to offer. The county is a beautiful mix of mountainous and agricultural areas and small town charm.

    This is one of the more distinctive county courthouses in Pennsylvania, and it dominates the town skyline.
    The town contains some interesting late 19th and early 20th century architecture.
    I would take this building as an office.
    The Somerset Milling Co. is still a provider of feed and grain products.

  • An Interesting Cemetery

    The Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery in Chester County is a fascinating property. It lies near the Brandywine Battlefield historic site. It contains some interesting grave marker and memorials, including memorials to Generals Lafayette and Pulaski.

  • Happy Fourth!

    Here’s a look back at some flag shots.

    Sugartown, Chester County

    I loved this Autumn American Flag display in the window.

    Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

    Foster Joseph Sayres Memorial and reservoir at Bald Eagle State Park.

  • Back to Lancaster County for Something Different

    I traveled to Lancaster yesterday to pet superstore That Fish Place/That Pet Place to check out a small vendor and hobbyist swap they were hosting in conjunction with the Aquarium Club of Lancaster. It was a great event. especially if you were in the market for cichlids or plants. Alas, as I was looking for some specific types of community fish, shrimp and snails, I didn’t get anything. The store is well worth checking out, and I bought some supplies – some fish food, nitrifying bacteria supplement for a new tank and test strips. One of the coolest things in the store is this shallow ray tank:

    Check out the rays and other fish. Excuse the glare and reflections.

    I took route 741 across Lancaster County and saw quite few buggies and horse plow teams out on a sunny Saturday. Hopefully I can get back for some pictures soon. I also stopped at Stuaffers to pick up some catnip plants for my cat, Kona. He wouldn’t be happy if I came back empty handed.

  • 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.

  • 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.

     

  • Rushton Farm Preserve

    Rushton Farm Preserve in Chester County is a location I frequent while birding. It’s a lovely property with a mixture of gardens, meadows, woodlands, and a creek.

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