Explorer's Backpack

Places of peace

2008-11-18T21:13:47Z

If your life is anything like mine lately, there aren't enough hours in the day, enough money in the bank account or energy to spare.

And the holidays -- with all their family demands and gift-giving stresses -- are just around the corner.

I'm looking for a bit of a break. A peaceful retreat where I can go to unwind, relax, rejuvenate and basically escape the insanity of life. And I'll bet I'm not the only one.

A woman who used to work here once suggested I write a story about places of peace in and around York County -- where local folks prefer to go when they need to get away from it all.

Surprise, surprise, I was a little too busy then to pursue the story idea. But I think its time has come. And so, I'm asking you, faithful readers of this blog, to help me out and offer some suggestions. Where do you go when you're in search of peace? Why there? What makes that place so wonderful?

Is is a park or lake? A church? A bookstore or library? Someplace totally unlikely? Please post a comment and share, or send me an e-mail.

Amish in the strip malls?

2008-11-18T04:28:30Z

If you're more interested in seeing this than thiswhen you go to Lancaster County, keep an eye on this blog over the next week or two. I'll be sharing some tips on how to get the most authentic experience when visiting tourist attractions on both sides of York County. I'll have photos, live audio and plenty of links and resources.

If you'll have out-of-town relatives in the area for the upcoming holiday, I'll give you a game plan for a couple of day trips to keep you away from the dinner table and TV set -- and far, far away from any shopping malls.

Unless, of course, you want to join in Black Friday madness -- in which case, I can point you to some places where you can search out bargains while strengthening your ability to withstand crowds of people you'll be glad aren't staying at your house for the weekend.

Stay tuned.... and feel free to chime in with your thoughts, opinions and suggestions!

On Hallowed Ground

2008-11-14T22:22:14Z

I spent several hours in and around Gettysburg today doing reporting for an upcoming story about area tourism.

I drove a bit of the National Military Park auto tour, and was pretty impressed. Even though the chilly, rainy day kept me from wandering around on foot, I could still imagine the troops walking over this landscape in 1863. It felt like sacred ground.

Well, until I finished the loop near East Cemetery Hill and was exiting onto Baltimore Pike. That's when I saw this:

Almost.....

Life is good in these parts

2008-11-13T04:01:31Z

I was in Lancaster County today doing reporting for an upcoming story about tourism in the area. As I rounded a curve near the town of Intercourse, I came upon this message.

I'm thinking the writer isn't so much making a statement about life in Amish country as he or she is referring to the recent success of Philadelphia sports teams.

Still, the thought is nice...

Fall foliage

2008-11-11T11:31:02Z

Here are a couple more pictures from my weekend hike my hike a few weekends ago at Colonel Denning State Park.

If you haven't yet gotten your annual dose of color, you had better do it soon. I was out this past weekend and noticed that the leaves are disappearing fast!

Obama tourism

2008-11-10T22:39:36Z

You knew it was only a matter of time.

Now that Barack Obama is officially our country's next president, the places he has links to are working to capitalize on their piece of the story. Anyone who listened to him during the campaign knows his father is from Kenya, his mom from Kansas. That he was born in Hawaii, raised in Indonesia and went to school in Los Angeles, Boston and New York City. Now, he and his family live in Chicago.

If you want to include some Obama sightseeing in your next trip, here's a story that will tell you what you need to know before you go.

Chicago especially is hyping up the places Obama and his family frequent.

What do you think about this?

Holiday shopping

2008-11-09T05:18:04Z

If you've had your fill of gift cards, electronics and kitchen gadgets, head to the alumni hall of York College's student union building between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday for a sale of global fair trade merchandise provided by Ten Thousand Villages.

Handcrafted items ranging from folk art to ceramics, textiles, baskets, jewelry and musical instruments will be on sale. In addition, sample cookies from around the world, provided by the chefs of Chartwells Dining Service, York College's food service provider.

I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for this stuff. It's so unique and I know that every penny I spend is going to support artisans in other countries.

For details, call 815-1916.

October in Ohiopyle

2008-11-07T11:25:55Z

YDR food writer Nicki Lefever and her husband, Nate, contemplated going on another cruise for their October vacation, but decided a camping trip was in order instead. Below is her report:

]]> We packed the dual-cab pickup to the brim with cooking equipment, food, bikes, firewood and of course, clothes. It looked like we were moving out.

In reality, we were just heading four hours west of York to Ohiopyle State Park, where we'd rent a cabin for $30 a night.The cabin had two sets of bunk beds with one double bed on the bottom, a table, four chairs and a heater. There were three windows (no curtains), a covered porch, picnic table, charcoal grill and fire ring with a cooking grate (it was broken) outside.

We spent the first day biking The Youghiogheny River Trail, which is gorgeous in the fall. We saw kayaks and whitewater rafters braving the cold water and rapids.

The second day we went to Fallingwater, which was worth every bit of the $16 admission. Then, we drove back to the campground and hiked the trails.

Cooking was a challenge. After all that packing, I forgot utensils. Fortunately, there was a small store in Ohiopyle. The saving grace was the electric griddle I insisted we bring. Campfires are great to cook on, but they can only do so much. You can cook anything on an electric griddle and it cleans with a paper towel, no water needed. We cooked a half pound of bacon all at once.

Nicki's travel tips:
If you are camping in the fall, bring lots of layers of clothes and a decent amount of reading material.

Bring a bucket. When you have to go and you can't walk a wuarter mile to do so, you'll wish you had one. It also comes in handy for hauling dish water back to the campsite.

Plan your days. It keeps you from returning to the campsite at 4 p.m. with nothing to look forward to but dinner.

Bring a camera. The views and the nature are breathtaking.

Put your food in plastic containers. Mice can, and will, sneak into your cabin and chew through Giant's reusable shoppings bags for M&Ms and peanuts. I know -- it happened.

Biking Ontario

2008-11-06T16:30:06Z

This entry comes straight from the vacation of YDR photographer Bil Bowden, who is biking the Greater Niagara Circle Route in Ontario. That includes alongside the Welland Canal and above the Niagrara River to the falls.

"Nancy Peterson and I did the loop trail, which is entirely paved and the Welland Canal part, anyway, is nearly flat. We pedaled along with the Blacky, a ship made in China that was on its maiden voyage," Bil writes

"We're headed to Pelee Island Friday, taking the ferry over, and biking. As you can see, the weather was terrific, and there's still plenty of color. Wanted to take advantage of the fair weather, since this is, of course, the Buffalo area."

His travel tips: October/November is a wonderful time to travel It's still comfortable enough to travel outdoors, but without the crowds. Niagara Falls was empty of tourists (not that we spent much time around all the souvenirs anyway).

Many motels have dropped their prices, and gas prices are dropping like a rock. In Ohio, we're looking at 2.19. And the U.S. dollar is finally worth more than the Canadian dollar again.

To see more of Bil's photos, visit his blog, Bil's Eye View.

Now, to work it all off

2008-11-04T19:12:43Z

After downing my free chicken sandwich at Chick Fil-A, I started wondering how many calories folks might consume with all the free food and drink available today.

So I swung by the new -- as in, it opened three weeks ago -- Golds Gym in Shrewsbury to check out their free seven-day VIP membership offer for anyone who stops in before next Tuesday with either an "I Voted" sticker or their word that they voted.
]]> Owner/manager Shawn Madden said as of Tuesday afternoon, nobody had come in asking to take advantage of the offer. But he thinks it's too early.

"I wouldn't expect them that fast," he said. "They'll come in the evening or in coming days."

Besides being an easy way to show off the spanking new facility -- with it's stand-up tanning beds, kidz club, women's fitness area, smoothie bar, cycling, boxing and group exercise rooms -- Madden said, "If people are exercising their right to vote, they should have the opportunity to exercise, too."

Oh, and it has free WiFi access too, which you have to thank for this blog post.

Free lunch

2008-11-04T19:01:37Z

Yes, there is such a thing as a free lunch.

Well, today at least. At the Shrewsbury Chick-Fil-A.
]]> The drive-thru lane stretched around the building shortly after 1 p.m. and the restaurant was packed.

Owner/manager Jeff Marble estimated he had given away more than 400 free chicken sandwiches already. He wasn't worried about running out of chicken, but buns might be another story if demand continues.

Marble said he didn't know how so many people found out about the promotion because he only advertised with signs in the restaurant.

"I'm a firm believer in democracy, so I wanted to support it any way I can. I wanted to thank my fellow citizens for voting, however they vote."

He's also hoping to build some customer loyalty with the promotion.

Free stuff a good idea

2008-11-04T17:45:34Z

Ira Keech, 71, of Weiglestown said people at his polling place told him that Starbucks was giving away free coffee, so he stopped in the one at the West Manchester Township Target to check it out.

He had never sampled Starbucks coffee before, but was pleasantly surprised. "I ilke strong coffee, so this is pretty good," he said.

Keech liked the idea of businesses giving free samples for voters on election day. "It will give them buisness later."

Success at Starbucks

2008-11-04T17:29:04Z

Finally, coffee!

Now that I have some caffeine in me, thanks to the folks at the Starbucks inside the West Manchester Township Target store, I can work better.

The ladies behind the counter said they were brewing regular coffee every 10 minutes to keep up with demand. There were four people in front of me in line when I stopped in around noon.

The employees said if you don't have a sticker proving you voted, you can either show them your voter registration card or simply tell them you cast your ballot and they'd give you some joe. They work on the honor system.

Now, it's off to Shrewsbury in search of lunch at Chick-Fil-A.

Nothing for me at Maple Donuts

2008-11-04T16:44:08Z

First stop for something free and I walked out empty handed.

I explained to the nice lady at the Maple Donuts on Loucks Road that my polling place doesn't give out stickers, but she said she still couldn't give me my free coffee and donut.

I was pretty bummed. I even mentioned what I heard about it maybe being against the law to offer free stuff for voting and so don't they have to give whatever they're giving out free to all customers who request it on election day?

I definitely have to find out more about that. In the meantime, I'm going to Starbucks. I need coffee.

P.S. A co-worker kindly gave me an extra "I Voted" sticker he got just in case I run into more problems. I think he's afraid of what I'll be like if I come back from another place without coffee.

The fun begins

2008-11-04T15:22:41Z

I just got back from voting.

It took a good 15 minutes at my new polling place (I moved a month ago). A poll worker told me they already had 177 people through before I arrived at 10 a.m. She said it was the most she can ever recall. I actually had to wait in line. I've never done that before.

Anyway, now I'm off to see how much free stuff I can scarf up for doing my civic duty.

I'm kind of bummed they didn't have "I Voted" stickers at my new polling place.

I've heard that many of the businesses giving things away for free to voters have to go on the honor system though or give their free stuff to all customers. Apparently there's a law against offering people stuff to vote or not vote. So I should be good.

Anyway, I'm off to Maple Donuts for free coffee and a donut. Check back shortly for an update.