In Your Backyard February 2018 ~ Tom Ridge Center

 In Your Backyard - Feb 2018 

As the grey skies and the bitter temperatures grace us with their presence for the next couple months and the urge to hibernate starts to creep in, resist the temptation to hide and venture north for a family fun day. Located near the entrance to Presque Isle State Park at 301 Peninsula Dr Erie, Pa 16505, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center has something for everyone in your group. 

The Tom Ridge Center hosts a permanent exhibit about Presque Isle in an interactive setting with interesting displays. If you are a parent, might I suggested a little research on the Pa wildlife identification, in the off chance you may get the chance to challenge your child in a “who knows more” about the animals game. Since the kids typically feel they have the advantage it is nice to once in a while show them you still have a trick or two up your sleeve. 

For the teenagers, who probably did not want to come along because there was a school field trip years ago and they have already been there, done that. There is currently a fantastic Lake Erie Shipwreck display on the second floor that will be there for the winter season. Filled with artifacts from shipwrecks and tales of lost vessels, it is sure to be a hit. 

No trip to the Center is complete without a view from the observation tower and with an elevator for easy access there is no reason to forgo the opportunity. At the top, the incredible sight of frozen Lake Erie awaits you in the winter months and it definitely is a camera moment. It is also a pretty cool view of Waldameer and the Ravine Flyer Roller Coaster for those who have ridden this ride. 

The Big Green Screen Theater is located at the Tom Ridge Center and sports a number of great films for all ages and interests. The 4 story screen, 45 foot wide screen will have you totally immersed in which ever film you chose to see. Currently for the winter season running Monday through Friday are three great films covering a variety of interests. Aircraft Carrier, Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet and Flight of the Butterflies run at least twice daily. The weekends have a special treat for the young ones in the group featuring The Gruffalo film and Gruffalo related activities. For more information about the film times and special ticket pricing please be sure to call the Tom Ridge Center at 814-838-4123 or visit them on the web at www.biggreenscreen.com 

For those who need a shopping fix, a wonderful gift store is located on site with a vast amount of unique and interesting items. A snack shop is also available to allow your day to continue without grumbly bellies. 

While you are in Erie, a drive through the Presque Isle State Park is also a great time. See the transformation of the beach as the winter weather has frozen the sand into its own sculptures. Be aware! Do not venture out onto the frozen sand because there may be unstable areas that could lead to serious injuries. This is a cool thing to see, but from a safe distance. 

Keep an eye open for the snowy owls who have made frequent visits to the park. They can be easily overlooked with their white plumage, but if you do happen to spot one make sure you have your camera ready. 

As always, I hope that you have a wonderful trek with your family or friends and remember... in the words of the great JRR Tolkien “Not all those who wander are lost” 

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard January 2018 ~ Pittsburgh Incline and West End Overlook

View from Mt Washington

 In Your Backyard 

For our next adventure I am turning the vehicle southbound out of the snow belt. The one and a half hour journey to the Greater Pittsburgh area will feel balmy compared to our frigid single digit temperatures. However, it is still likely to be cold and layers are important to bring especially if you plan to spend any amount of time outside. It is always better to be safe then sorry, and for the parents of teenagers who always seem to dress inappropriately for the weather and argue that they will not need the hat, I suggest to just grab it yourself and bring it along. They will be complaining later and you can then have the pleasure of saying “I told you so” 

Be sure to pack the camera for this adventure and fuel up the vehicle to make the trek down I-79 south. Take the exit for I-279 and watch for the signs for Station Square. For those of you using a GPS or a computer to print a map the address is 125 W Station Square Dr Pittsburgh, Pa 15219. I will warn you that no matter which lane you are in when you cross the bridge you will be in the wrong lane for your exit. Anticipate this, because so is everyone else and it is a free for all from every direction, avoiding rush hour is your best bet. There is a parking lot located at Station Square and for a fee you can park in a covered garage. The fees are by the hour starting at $3 for 1 hour and going up to $10 for 5 hours. Be sure to take your ticket with you when you leave the vehicle because you must pay before you go back to your car to leave. 

Once you have arrived and parked the fun begins. There are two remaining inclines that go to the top of Mount Washington for a fantastic view that even the most grumpy teen will be hard pressed to not enjoy. The Monongahela Incline (or the Mon as the locals will call it) is located closest to the Station Square facility. There are nice little shops located inside railcars inside of Station Square which makes for a unique shopping experience you may want to check out while you are there. Once you have made your way through the Square you will come to the crosswalk to get to the Incline. The cost is $5 for a roundtrip ticket for an adult, kids 6-11 are $2.50, children 5 and under are free and so are PA senior citizens with their Medicare Card. 

Be sure to get out at the top and walk around a bit. There are some nice places to get a cup of coffee or a snack and there are several overlooks on Grandview Ave that goes along the crest of Mount Washington. If you are really adventurous you can make the one mile trek over to the Duquesne Incline and enjoy the scenic walk along the way. 

The next spot worth noting while you are in the area is the West End Overlook. This area is a bit more difficult to find and the blue informational signs are not abundant so a GPS unit is very very helpful. I will say that I have been to this location about 5 times and I do not think I have gone the same way any time I have been there. The actual address is West End Overlook/ Elliot Park located at Marlow St Pittsburgh, Pa 15220. Once you do make it to the parking lot, head out to the fence line, a beautiful view of all three rivers and a straight on view of Point Park will await you. 

The skyline in the evening is absolutely spectacular from either the West End Overlook or Mount Washington and this is definitely when you will be glad that you grabbed the extra clothing. I hope that you enjoyed this edition of In Your Backyard. Until next time just remember the words of the great J.R.R.Tolkien “Not all those who wander are lost.” - 

View from West End Overlook

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard December 2017~ Volant Mills and Springfield Falls

For the December edition of In Your Backyard, I wanted to be seasonal but also add a destination for those readers who do not celebrate the Christmas holiday. So the first stop on this adventure is going to be down Route 19 to the town of Leesburg, Pa which is located about 45 minutes south of Meadville in Mercer County. 

As you enter this small town you will see Leesburg Station Rd onto which you will make a left turn. In a very short distance the road will make a sharp right turn and Falls Rd will continue straight, to you guessed it, a waterfall. Springfield Falls to be exact and I will warn you if use a navigation system to find this waterfall by name, it will actually have you turn right instead of left and it will likely argue with you to make the next legal U turn. (So, just trust me and turn left.) 

There is a small parking lot on the right side of the road and the path to Springfield Falls is located across the street. It is a fantastic place for photos and is typically a very cool waterfall located on Hunters Run even when the weather has been dry. The view from the rock ledge above is great, but for the daring (or foolhardy) there is a very, very steep path that leads to the base of the falls. Yes, I have made the journey down the steep embankment and I recommend proper footwear for the trek. Be mindful of the leaves which hide hazards and are just plain slick when wet, and yes, this advice does come from experience. Which ever view you choose, I do not think you will be disappointed that you stopped. The town of Leesburg itself is an interesting place. Take a journey back in time in the old school which has been wonderfully converted to an antique store. 

Now lets go to the holiday section of this adventure. Last year at this time I was in McAdenville, NC which is also known as "Christmas Town" we waited in line for nearly two hours to drive 4 miles per hour through this town completely lit with Christmas lights and displays. Now, North Carolina is definitely too far to be considered a day trip so I wanted to write about a wonderful place that is truly in our backyard. 

Volant, Pa has my vote for a great little town with a lot going on. From Leesburg you continue south to the intersection of Route 208 west. For those that are possibly directional challenged, that is a right hand turn located AFTER Rt 208 turns left to go to Grove City... (yes, this also comes from personal experience because my vehicle loves to go to the outlet stores all on its own) 

In Volant, there are over 20 specialty stores that have everything from bulk candy to fly fishing equipment, antiques to tea houses and everything in between. Plan to spend an afternoon walking the streets decorated for the holidays. When the sun goes down the lights go on and you can have the experience of our own little "Christmas Town". The town has an event each and every month, so if you are unable to make it down for the holidays then be sure to check out their webpage www.volantshops.com to get a schedule of events. It is a hidden gem of a place that is well worth the short trip south. 

I hope that you take a bit of time while the weather is still nice for travel to explore a bit In Your Backyard and have a holiday adventure. Until next time just remember the words of the great J.R.R.Tolkien “Not all those who wander are lost.” - 

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard November 2017 ~ Pymatuning Spillway

In Your Back Yard First, let me introduce the concept of In Your Back Yard. It is a monthly journey to some pretty cool places and things to do within a hour and a half to two hour drive of the city of Meadville. These places will be budget conscious and family friendly. So pack a lunch, fill up the gas tank, unplug the kids from their electronics and make some memories! 

The first stop on our adventure is located in Western Crawford County. It is known to many as the place where the ducks walk on the fish, the Pymatuning Spillway is located at 12318 Hartstown Rd, Linesville, PA 16424. The spillway area itself has undergone some renovations in the years since I have started going there (we will not speak of how many years that actually may be). The snack bar, restrooms and tables as well as accessibility ramps have made it a great place to bring a family of all ages and abilities. A high concentration of carp that absolutely love bread and crackers are always waiting like baby birds in a nest. The gaping mouths are a completely monstrous sight that you just can not seem to look away from. On a side note, as a child I remember telling my younger sister that they could come up the drain in the bathtub. That was frowned upon later when she refused to take a bath for a few days but thankfully she was not scarred for life. Be sure to pack a few loaves of bread, old hotdog buns or even a couple sleeves of crackers. But, if you forget, don’t worry you can purchase bread for the fish on site or a variety of locations in the area. 

If you get there and there does not seem to be a whole lot of bird activity, don’t fret. The sound of a twist tie on a bread wrapper carries remarkably well and soon you will be surrounded. The art of throwing the bread is a personal choice. Many tear off smaller pieces and wad them into balls for distance and accuracy. Toddlers tend to give one piece to the fish and then one piece to themselves so be aware of this when choosing what they will be throwing. Some throw a slice in to give the ducks a chance to gobble a mouthful or two before the carp suck it down. Some throw in entire non sliced loaves for maximum action. The latter choice often resembles a soccer match as the bread scoots around the surface until it gets water logged enough for the fish to get a bite. 

The seagulls in the area are masters of acrobatics, toss a few small pieces up high and watch them dive to catch them. You may want to to forgo tossing it straight up as it has been known to cause quite a bird poo mess. But, if you have a pouting teenager in your group... well, bombs away! 

Once you have had your fill of feeding the fish, pun intended, be sure to turn right out of the main parking lot and head towards Linesville. Within a short drive is the the Linesville Fish Hatchery located at 13300 Hartstown Rd, Linesville, Pa 16424. This great facility is open daily from 8am to 3:30pm. Inside the visitor center you will find many displays and activities for the kids as well as a large freshwater tank full of various fish that are native to Pennsylvania. Be sure to head downstairs if you are able to see the tank from the bottom as well as a view of the hatchery operations. 

Both the towns of Linesville and Espyville offer places for snacks or lunch if you did not pack a picnic. Take the opportunity to look around or talk to a local for other cool places to visit while you are in the area. There are many activities such as hiking, fishing, camping and biking in the State Park so take some time to explore Your Back Yard. Until next time just remember “Not all those who wander are lost.” -J.R.R.Tolkien 

As Seen in Meadville Tribune