The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • A Late Afternoon in Lancaster County

    They say that the golden hour just before sunset produces some of the best pictures. I’m not sure that I agree. In an overcast climate like Pennsylvania, low light can produce some problems for photography. A recent trip to eastern Lancaster County was something of a mixed bag.

  • One of the Best Views of the Susquehanna River

    Susquehannock State Park lies on the east bank of the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County. The overlook at the park provides one of the best views of the river in southern Pennsylvania.

    I visited the park near sunset, after stopping for dinner in Quarryville.

    The wide open southern view from the park.
    Somehow, I found the northern view more interesting.
    A glimpse of sunset. The western facing overlook is a great sunset spot.
    The James B. Long home from 1850

    The Long home, pictured above, has an interesting history, which you can read about here.

  • The Historic Pawling Farm

    The Pawling Farm is part of Valley Forge National Historical Park and sits on the Perkiomen Peninsula, which is created by a bend in the Schuylkill River near its confluence with the Perkiomen Creek. This area played a critical role in the winter encampment of George Washington’s troops in 1777-78. It was a strategically important avenue of approach from the north to the encampment on the south side of the river and also served as the site of a commissary function that saved the troops from starvation. The National Park Service brochure on the area can be found here.

    Currently the property’s main buildings include an old barn, a small home (which currently appears to be in use), a privy building, and the remains of the old mansion. The mansion was lost to fire in 1967 and is now a ruin. There are hiking trails which connect to the rest of the Valley Forge system and a mix of habitats including meadow, forest, wetlands, and vernal ponds.

    The old barn is an impressive structure.
    A view of the house and barn. You can see here that the barn is a bank barn like the one in Sugartown in my previous post.
    The house that remains on the property, apparently the only building still in use.
    The area immediately around the buildings is meadow which is cut for hay.
    More hay bales, just because I like hay bales.
    According to my research, this building was used as a privy.
    The privy with the remains of another building behind it.

    Here are some overview shots and other views of the farm.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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