The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • About in the County

    This post is a sampling of some of the sites of Somerset County. The first stop is the Somerset Historical Center and Walters Mill Covered Bridge. The Center is a 150-acre rural history museum with exhibits, workshops, and educational programs dedicated to preserving the history of life in southwestern Pennsylvania from the region’s first farmers to the present day. It also serves as headquarters of the Historical & Genealogical Society of Somerset County. The Visitors Center houses permanent and changing exhibits as well as the Genealogical Research Library. I found it to be a good general source of information about the area, which was a life saver when my phone decided not to cooperate with me.

    The Walter’s Mill Covered bridge has been relocated to the property.

    The covered bridge was built in 1859 and originally crossed Coxes Creek, four miles south of the town of Somerset. Major repairs were made to the bridge in 1909, at which time laminated wood arches were added to the bridge’s original multiple kingpost truss system to accommodate heavier vehicles. Overtaken by developments and threatened with destruction, the bridge was moved to the Somerset Historical Center in the early 1960s. Extensively restored in 1986, the bridge remains open to pedestrian traffic.

    Nearby is the Quecreek Mine Rescue site. On July 24, 2002 coal miners at the Quecreek Mine in Lincoln Township, owned by Black Wolf Coal Company, accidentally dug into the abandoned, poorly documented Saxman Coal / Harrison #2 Mine, flooding the room and pillar mine with an estimated 75 million US gallons (280,000 cubic meters) of water. Both the Saxman Mine and Quecreek Mine are in the Upper Kittanning coal seam. Fortunately, all nine trapped miners were rescued using a metal capsule structure lowered into the mine through a drilled hole. The incident garnered national attention, especially in the wake of the September 11 disaster and the crash of Flight 93 nearby in Shanksville.

    The nearby Dormel Farm.

    Driving further north, one can visit the Trostletown Covered Bridge, a historic covered bridge in Quemahoning Township. It was built in 1845, and is a 104-foot-long (32 m) Kingpost truss bridge, with half-height plank siding and an asbestos shingled gable roof. The bridge crosses Stony Creek. It is one of 10 covered bridges in Somerset County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

    The bridge is adjacent to an American Legion Post with an impressive display of hardware.

  • Late Winter Sets the Scene for Spring

    It now feels more like Spring in Chester County, although the calendar still says it’s Winter. The weather, however, can’t seem to make up its mind. We start with a few scenes around Kimberton.

    French Creek
    Further east, I’m not sure what these critters are. They may be llamas or alpacas.
    I loved the golden hour glow on this house.
    At this house, it is apparently still Christmas.

  • Looking Back at Autumn

    Autumn is my favorite time of year and probably the most photogenic time in Pennsylvania. Here is a look back at some fall foliage in northwestern Chester County.

  • An Early Spring Day in Chester County

    This post continues our trip to the area of the Warwick Iron Furnace in the Spring. It is one of my favorite areas to photograph.

    A surprise appearance by a Mute Swan.
    Spring flowering trees and shrubs add to the lovely scene.
    Is this the most photogenic farm in Chester County?

  • The Old Forest

    The Clarion River area is one of the most scenic in Pennsylvania. One of its jewels is a 13-mile stretch of the the river that flows through Cook Forest State Park and is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing.

    The 8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park and 3,136-acre Clarion River Lands lie in Clarion, Forest and Jefferson Counties. The Cook Forest Association was formed in the 1920s to save the few areas of surviving old growth timber. Endorsed by national natural resource groups and Governor Gifford Pinchot, the association raised $200,000, which helped the commonwealth purchase 6,055 acres from A. Cook Sons Company in 1927 for $640,000. Cook Forest became the first Pennsylvania state park acquired to preserve a natural area. It was later designated a National Natural Landmark.

    This area is known for some of the tallest trees in the state and old growth forest.
    Some camping cottages.
    The surrounding area was surprisingly touristy.

    I also visited Clear Creek State Park which is 11 miles from Cook Forest. The park encompasses 1,901 acres in Jefferson County and occupies a scenic portion of the Clear Creek Valley from PA 949 to the Clarion River. It has camping, rustic cabins, and Clarion River access for fishing and boating.

  • Almost Home

    Here is a look around the area near my aunt’s farm in Greenwood Township, Columbia County from the opening weekend of rifle deer season. Sadly, no one had any luck that weekend.

    Some curious cattle on my grandparent’s old farm.
    Muddy Run runs through the farm.
    The neighbors have a nice looking eagle carving.
    My cousin’s house is quite windy, and the flag takes a beating. It has to be replaced often.
    The pond at this property is relatively new.
    One of the fanciest dairy farms in the County (no relation).

  • Summer at Middle Creek

    I don’t make it to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster and Lebanon counties all that often during the Summer. Here are a few shots from around the property.

    A lovely tiger swallowtail decided to hang out.
    Geese can be found at Middle Creek almost any time of year.
    The corn is looking good.
    Farming is done at Middle Creek. The fields provide habitat and food for some species.
    Pennsylvania farm country in a nutshell.
    I never really noticed the hills around this area as much as on this trip.
    Much to do here other than wildlife viewing.
    A glamorous egret interloper with the geese.
    Purple wildflowers along this pond.
    Lots of wildflowers everywhere ….

  • Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

    Our annual Poconos girls’ weekend occurred in July this year. On short notice, my friend was able to find a great weekly rental at Lake Naomi. I also take this time to do some exploring around the Poconos. I set out to view some lake communities I hadn’t visited before. I will leave the rest of the weekend to your imagination.

    The most photogenic was the Emerald Lakes area.
    Boats lined up near a swimming beach.
    A nice private dock in need of a boat.
    This looks like a great family day out.
    A deer came out to say hello.
    The clubhouse beach at Stillwater Lake has seen better days. The waterfowl have taken over.
    Something different: Checking out the shooting range at State Game Lands 127.

  • A Lake and a Pond

    Prompton State Park and the Varden Conservation Area are located near each other in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Wayne County. Prompton State Park provides boat launching and picnicking facilities for the 290-acre Prompton Lake, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There are twenty-six miles of hiking trails which surround the lake and a disc golf course.

    Morning mists on Prompton Lake ….
    A little disc golf by the lake.
    A view of the substantial dam.
    The west branch of Lackawanna Creek.
    Half mast for Memorial Day.

    A gift from veterinarian Dr. Mead Shaffer, the 444-acre Varden Conservation Area is in an area that was once a remote section of the state, but which is now beginning to feel pressure from development. The land is conserved as open space with opportunities for low impact recreation and educational use. It is a great place to learn about Pennsylvania’s natural history. There is picnicking by and fishing in the pond. There is also hiking in the two tracts which constitute this conservation area. I visited the Tannery Road Tract.

    The lovely pond can be used for fishing.
    Morning mists on an unseasonably cool day.
    Beautiful irises are indicative of the seasonal flora of this area.

  • Once More Into Delaware

    April and May are prime times for birding at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. The weather was beautiful on a recent trip. Here are a few photos of what I saw.

    This egret had the Beaver Pond to itself.
    Two avocets at cross purposes.
    Looking like a school master with errant pupils – great and snowy egrets.
    A relaxing bask in Finnis Pool.
    A beautiful redbud in bloom.
    Finally, the worst picture of the cutest pied billed grebe ever.
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