In the living section of today's paper, you'll see the results of our third annual summer photo contest.
In keeping with that theme, I thought I'd share one of my summer photos here. This one was taken during a weekend I spent in the town of Ohiopyle.
For more great photos, check out YDR photographer Bil Bowden's blog.
Sunday afternoon, some friends and I hiked to an observation tower near the resort town of Mount Gretna and climbed the narrow rusty ladders to the top, where you can supposedly see parts of four counties on a clear day.
It's not super well-known -- the Park at Governor Dick isn't a state or county park and I heard of it for the first time when friends mentioned it. We had a bit of difficulty figuring out which roads would take us to the trail head, and the trail itself wasn't well-marked, but we figured it out.
It was a nice excursion, but we were a little frustrated at the lack of on-site information about the tower and the park. We like to learn a little when we're visiting new places.
Now, for the ice-cream...
Finish reading 'Hike and ice cream' »Summer isn't summer for me without a visit to Cowans Gap State Park near McConnellsburg.
Earlier this month, my family rented a cabin there for a week and I spent a weekend there. Here are three photos that show my favorite parts of camping:
The rowboat that got me hooked on being on the water and taught me how to steer a boat. It was my inspiration for buying a kayak two years ago. I wanted to be able to go out and paddle around on my own.
The campfire. Oh, the stories, the silliness. The sticky marshmallow S'morey goodness. This glowing fire probably has coals that are perfect for cooking mountain pies.
And lastly, the view. The relaxing scenery by the lake is a sight for sore urban/suburban stressed eyes.
... what? I'm always amazed by how many people I meet (some of them campers themselves) who have never heard of mountain pies.
Me, I grew up with the hot pies cooked between two slices of bread inside a hot iron mold nestled in campfire coals.
We typically made them in the evening, after dinner, so we used peach, apple (add cinnamon to make it extra yummy), cherry and blueberry pie fillings inside for a warm dessert.
But you can also fill them with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and toppings for a fresh, hot, homemade pizza pocket. Or ham and cheese. Or whatever combination you think sounds yummy.
Two years ago, while camping with college friends, I learned that S'more mountain pies are not among those I prefer to make. Not only are they way too much for me (if i want a s'more, I want the real thing, not a s'more sandwiched in cooked bread), but they're also awfully messy. I think I might still have burned marshmallow stuck to the sides of my molds!
Here are my suggestions for a magnificent mountain pie experience:
Finish reading 'I say mountain pie, you think....' »
To continue with the string of posts from my weekend in and around Ohiopyle State Park, I offer you this crazy example of man versus nature.
Two friends and I were enjoying the natural waterslides (more on that later) and swimming in the river when we saw
Finish reading 'Man versus nature' »
Jen generously donated me some blog time to share about my weekend camping trip to Ricketts Glen State Park, which is about 30 miles north of Bloomsburg on Route 487..
Sitting here in my cubicle, the camp-fire smell is still in my hair, a few bug bites are a bit itchy and my quad muscles are still sore from a hike to see most of the park's 22 named waterfalls ... but those are my biggest complaints about the weekend.
A couple of friends suggested the park as an ideal spot for camping, and I wasn't let down.
Finish reading 'Camping at Ricketts Glen' »
The folks at the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association say that despite the gas-guzzling tendencies of RVs, recreational vehicle rentals and campground bookings are higher this summer than last.
They say it's because people have had their fill of long security lines, lost luggage and other hassles of flying.
Because the RV triples as transportation, lodging and restaurant for those who use them, the association says folks save money overall.
Do the statistics reflect what you're seeing? Do you have an RV? Are you using it more or less these days?
I celebrated Memorial Day by kayaking and hiking at Gifford Pinchot State Park this afternoon. I spotted a turtle in the reeds (in the lake) and a black snake in the brush (Quaker Race trail). Of course, you expect to see such creatures when you're at a state park.
But on Sunday, during a cookout at my parents' house, I was impressed to find a mother dove had nested in one of my mother's hanging flower pots on the front porch -- right by all the commotion of people banging the screen door shut in their comings and goings.
I was amazed I was able to get close enough to photograph her without her freaking out or taking flight. She didn't even seem bothered by the flash.
What type of wildlife have you had close encounters with? (not counting the mother goose who took up residence at Borders earlier this spring!) Post a comment and share! Better yet, e-mail me your story (and a photo if you have it) and I'll post it on here.
Like a goose in a parking lot.
Finish reading 'Mother goose' »
Since Sunday's storms (April showers, what do you expect?), the weather around here has been absolutely wonderful.
It makes it hard to stay in the newsroom and do my work. I'm looking for any excuse to get out, drive around, enjoy the weather and talk to people for stories in person rather than by phone.
I keep seeing people cycling along the roads and I want to get out on my bike! (Haven't gotten to it yet -- bad me!)
What are you doing outdoors these days? What's your preferred method for enjoying such perfect weather? Post a comment and share!
Comments (0)