In Your Backyard July 2019 ~ Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth has enticed people since 500BC when it was mentioned in early writings and Conquistador Ponce De Leon scoured Florida for the fabled waters in the 16th Century. But they were all apparently looking in the wrong location because in 1938 in North Park near Wexford, Pa the Fountain of Youth was found. They were so sure they had the correct location that a large stone header was placed over the opening with the name right on it (that or it was quite possibly a draw for tourism). 

Either way, the Fountain of Youth located in Wexford remained in operation until the pump handle was abruptly removed in May of 1955. The former spring house is still standing and is a unique structure worth the drive and the exploration. Although it is quite dark and musty smelling inside, it is not unpleasant and the lure of the famed waters was obviously worth the grand stone opening into the hillside. The sounds of running water gives tribute to it’s glorious past as you step inside. 

The kids will love exploring the springhouse and the creek with a little waterfall that runs directly in front of the Fountain of Youth. The adults will no doubt be curious at its origins as they watch the kids or grandkids play with a seemingly endless amount of energy. Possibly even wondering or hoping that the waters still hold their claimed powers. 

Time is unforgiving to the human body as it approaches middle age (the time the age starts to show around the middle). As the years fly by at an alarming rate, we are often wondering if our warranty has run out as joints ache and doctor visits become increasingly more frequent. I could not resist the temptation to dip my toes in the creek on the off chance there maybe something to the old tales. 

The Fountain of Youth is located at 10100-10170 Kummer Rd in Wexford, Pa. There is a pull off on the left side of the road for parking and the spring house is visible from the roadway. Once you have visited, take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area of North Park with over 3,000 square acres of trails, picnic areas, a 65 acre lake, swimming pool, and all around family oriented fun. More information can be found at www.alleghenycounty.us in the visitors section. 

The legend of healing waters is often a draw for people to gather. Even in Meadville back in the late 1800s, when the once fabulous Oakwood Park was in its glory. For 5 cents visitors could ride the trolley to West Mead Township for a dance hall and lake. The trolley would drop you off at the Ponce De Leon Spring where, you guessed it, people would claim medicinal values of this mysterious water. Once the trolley line made its way to Exposition Park in Conneaut Lake however, Oakwood Park could not compete with the excitement of an amusement park and this began its demise. 

Nothing much is left of the grand old park, and in 1950 the sons of John J Shyrock erected a brick memorial which bears a plaque "Ponce de Leon Spring This building erected in Memory of John J. Shryock 1950”. The memorial is located on Spring Rd just outside the city limits near the area of Tamarack Lake. While in the area, be sure to check out the progress on the lake as it starts to refill. Now that the repairs are complete on the dam, this area will once again be a great location for visiting with the kids. 

So you see, the Fountain of Youth and the man who once searched for it have long withstood the test of time. From the writings of ancient philosophers to the stories of the Native Americans and from the coast of Florida to the rural areas of Pennsylvania. Fascination with youth has given many a reason for a journey, and now the history of these locations calls to the modern traveler. Remember as you take your trip that life is short, so it is best lived to the fullest and not all who wander are lost. 

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard June 2019 ~ Eternal Flames Falls

A magical hidden gem is located north of us only two hours away and aside from locals, many do not know it exists. Chestnut Ridge County Park is the largest county park in the US and is located at 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road Orchard Park, NY just off Interstate 90. (I 90 becomes a toll road after entering NY State so prepare to have about $6 in cash to complete your journey.) This often overlooked park sits on a hilltop with stunning views of downtown Buffalo, and the main building called the Casino also has a snack bar and restrooms. In the winter there are toboggan runs which operate on the weekends and these tall structures are located beside the Casino. When there is not snow on the ground however, is when one of the most unique aspects of the park is easier to access. 

The Eternal Flame Falls is located in the southern most tip of Chestnut Ridge Park and the parking lot is easy to find from the main visitor office located in the Casino. Just a short drive down the road following the signs and you will find a large parking lot on the side of the road. The trail itself is marked moderate to difficult, primarily from the steepness as well as the abundant tree roots which can be tripping hazards if one is not paying attention. The trail itself is not a long hike, so slowing down and taking your time on both the descent and the climb is recommended. A trekking pole or walking stick can add a bit of stability when conditions are wet and the ground becomes slippery, and good traction shoes are a must. As you reach the bottom of the hill, you will follow the “flame” icons on the trail markers to the left and now you will be following the creek bed back the way you came. It may seem shorter to just go down the embankment, but the signs state to stick to the approved trail for a reason and the cliff is too steep and dangerous to maneuver. The bottom of the gorge will have you walking up Shale Creek to reach the falls. When there has been several days of rain, or in early spring, be prepared for wet crossings. However, late spring and summer months allow you to walk from rock to rock without getting very wet at all. 

As you scamper up the creek there are several places that trees are across the valley which will require you to climb over them, the kids will absolutely love this part, and it is worth the effort to continue the hike. Shortly after the largest log jam the falls will come into view. The 30 foot high drop is in two sections, the first is a skinnier 8 foot high waterfall that then branches out into falls which ripple over the natural shale formations. Near the middle of this bottom section to the right side is a small grotto (a hollow area like a small cave) which the water flows over. It is within this grotto that the magic happens. 

A natural gas fissure is located here and the grotto protects it from both the water and the wind allowing it to stay lit, thus illuminating the water which passes over the front. The flame can be extinguished and it is wise to carry a lighter with you just in case it has for some reason been put out. The Eternal flame was burning in all its glory when I arrived for my visit and is best viewed from the right bank when standing in front of the falls. 

The scientists have been trying to determine how this gas fissure works, since it seems to defy the laws of nature. There is much more information available with an easy Google search “How does the Eternal flame falls keep burning”. So rather than go into a scientific discussion I will direct anyone interested there. Instead, I will say this- it is honestly one of the most unique and coolest sights I have ever seen and is absolutely worth all the effort required to get there. 

I sat in awe as the representation of all four elements was displayed in front of me, earth in the form of shale, the water cascading by, the fire flickering wildly in the small gusts of wind. I knew from my research it would be cool, I just had no idea it would be that cool. After a snack, and a drink and about 50 photos and video clips it was time to make the trek out of the gorge. One thing I have learned through hiking it is a rule that when one goes downhill, one must go uphill, and what an uphill it is! Being the first hike of the season I just took my time and reminded myself that it was really only a short distance back to the car. 

Once there, the two hour trip home was filled with a fantastic sunset view over Lake Erie as you travel back towards the state line. Along the way is the Angola NY rest stop which is also unique in that you park and cross over a pedestrian bridge to get to the center concourse filled with a food court, a gift shop and restrooms. I remember stopping there as a child on our way to Canada and it was always a landmark for me, holding a fascination to be able to stand on the bridge as the semi trucks passed under my feet. So if you have kiddos with you be sure to make the stop. 

As you travel back into Pa the exit signs will begin to be familiar roadways, so rather than sticking to the interstate, why not grab one of the highways and meander through the parts of Pa you may not visit frequently. Remembering the words as you travel rural Pa that not all those who wander are lost, just head south and enjoy the trip. As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard May 2019 ~ Ashtabula Bridge Disaster

 Not far from the Pennsylvania state line in Ohio, lies the quiet town of Ashtabula. With a population of less than 20,000 it is not significantly larger than the city of Meadville. Once however, this town was positioning itself to be a major city in its state. With access to Lake Erie as a port and a railroad infrastructure, Ashtabula seemed well on its way. 

Suddenly in the late 1800s a tragedy struck this town that so horrified the public that they bypassed Ashtabula for neighboring Cleveland and essentially halted its potential growth. What you may wonder would be so devastating that it could change the path of an entire city? 

On a snowy December evening in 1876 a train left Erie heading west. This is not the start of a high school math problem, but it is an equation for one of the 10 worst technology disasters in over 350 years. This train was pulled by two engines and had 159 passengers on board. As the train passed over the bridge which spanned the Ashtabula river, the bridge failed and only one engine made it to the other side. The crash was heard in town as 11 railcars and the second engine plummeted over 70 feet into the icy river. Although some of the cars landed upright in the river, the wooden cars were at that time heated by coal fired stoves which soon became an inferno. Passengers who had survived the impact and escaped the wreckage were taken to local residences and businesses because there was no hospital in the town. Many others were trapped within the mangled wreckage and their screams were heard throughout the valley as they perished in the blaze. In total 92 people lost their lives in what has become the Ashtabula Bridge Disaster or the Ashtabula Horror. 48 of the fatalities were unrecognizable and a reported 64 others were injured in the crash. 

The Ashtabula Horror thus shaped this town’s destiny and Cleveland became the favored port for the budding industry of the area as the legacy of this accident was felt for decades. An inspection of the bridge sited a faulty design. The chief engineer Charles Collins was believed to have committed suicide out of grief but it was later determined that it was in fact murder. The designer of the bridge Amasa Stone did then later commit suicide. 

Charles Collins is buried in a vault in nearby Chestnut Grove Cemetery and very close by an obelisk which marks the grave which holds the remains of 19 of the victims who were so badly incinerated they could not be identified. The obelisk is still the tallest gravestone in all of Ashtabula and the area is rumored to be haunted. Reported sightings include visions of Mr Collins kneeing and holding his head in his hands repeating the words “I’m sorry”. The cemetery is located at 79 Grove Drive in Ashtabula and the monument is easy to find by following the blue information signs. As I visited the cemetery, the nearby sounds of freight trains passing were an eerie reminder of the history of the area. 

The Ashtabula Medical Center is perhaps the largest memorial of this disaster. Built mainly for the purpose of attending to the needs of future railroad calamities, there is a memorial garden with a plaque that when operational gives a recorded history of the train wreck. 

The original bridge was replaced and a nearby walking trail provides a great vantage point. Indian Trails Park is located at 1700 E 1st St and the asphalt trail follows along the scenic Ashtabula River to the base of the bridge. The trail then continues to a wonderful vantage point of a beautiful waterfall and the walkway is ADA accessible. The trail is a very easy walk and well worth the effort. 

Although the Ashtabula Horror happened nearly 150 years ago, the lasting effects of this tragedy shaped this town. With the work starting on the new Railroad Museum in Meadville, I felt it was a timely topic to show just how influential the railroad has been in the rise and fall in the towns in our backyard. Remember as you plan your visit, wandering does not mean you are lost.

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard April 2019 ~ Jaws Tombstone Allegheny Cemetary

Film has been on my mind a bit the past couple weeks. It really should not be much of a surprise since we have been organizing the EQUUS Film Festival in Meadville for this weekend April 12-14th (I promise that is the end of my shameless promotion) But it got me thinking about how film has shaped our lives. We have all seen things that inspired us or made us sad, even things that absolutely terrified us. For me, one movie in particular comes to mind in the terrifying category. Jaws was released in June of 1975, (yes, please do the math as I did to realize that this movie will have been released 44 years ago this summer) 

Steven Spielberg’s great triumph was almost a disaster when “Bruce”, the mechanical shark named after his attorney, did not function properly on set. Instead of throwing in the towel, Spielberg keep the unrealistic creature out of many scenes to limit its exposure. Instead, he relied on the audience imagination to conjure the images of what was just below the ocean’s surface. 

The initial seen is possibly the greatest example of this and also one of the most horrifying parts of the movie. The “late night swim” scene when the young lady is attacked from below and is pulled across the water screaming was nothing more than ropes and an old fashion game of tug of war. It was the music, combined with the darkness, the idea, and the piercing screams that convinced our minds to fill in the blanks. I guarantee that what ever I thought was going on was much worse than the special effects could have shown back in 1975. It was effective and it was iconic. 

So iconic in fact that a man by the name of Lester Madden decided to forever “Rest In Peace” below the image which signified his most favorite movie of all time. Within the 300 acres and 15 miles of roadways deep inside the Allegheny Cemetery lies the final resting place for Mr Madden and his Jaws tombstone. He was 51 years old when he passed away in 1983, he was a Korean War Veteran and most definitely a true fan of the Spielberg movie. 

Allegheny Cemetery was founded in 1844 by some of Pittsburgh’s most prominent families and it is the oldest and largest cemetery in the Pittsburgh area and the sixth oldest rural cemetery in America. Many famous people are buried among the over 124,000 gravesites including Major League Baseball players, Congressmen and billionaires. It is a great place for a quiet walk or a scenic drive through miles of marble markers. Some stones are ornate and beautiful, some are very old, some are very plain, and some, like Mr Madden’s are as well known in the cemetery as the movie was on the scene. 

The cemetery is located 4734 Butler St Pittsburgh Pa. It is open Mon-Sat from 7am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The large gatehouse that marks the entrance on Butler St is in the National Register of Historic Places. The “Jaws Tombstone” is located in section 26 lot 65 and a map of cemetery as well as some history can be found on their webpage www.alleghenycemetery.com. 

While you are in the area, take note of some cool places within Pittsburgh, wether it be from this article or one of my earlier ones. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop located at 2124 Penn Ave and boosts some of the widest assortment of nostalgic candies in the area. Home of the world famous $5 candy buffet and soda wall. They have been featured on many news and television programs over the years. 

If you go on a Thursday or Friday from spring until November you can take a free tour of the Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park. Although the tour is free, you must have a reservation (call 412-321-2400 between 1pm-5pm Monday to Friday to reserve a tour) 

Whether it is shark searching, star gazing, or candy munching on your trip. Remember not all those who wander are lost.

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard March 2019 ~ Bald Eagles

As a kid growing up in Northwestern PA we were taught in school about how the US Congress chose the Bald Eagle as our National Bird In 1784. We learned how it was on the Presidential Seal and we saw it on nature channels soaring through the sky. One thing that was not a common occurrence was someone saying they actually spotted one. 

It is not surprising since according to the US Fish and Wildlife there were only 3 documented nests in the entire state of Pennsylvania just 30 years ago. Bald Eagles were on the endangered species list and finding one in this area was next to impossible. A little over ten years ago in 2007 this majestic bird was removed from the endangered list and is now flourishing with over 250 documented yearly nesting sites in our state alone. 

I was an adult before I spotted my first Bald Eagle and it was, you guessed it, right in my own backyard! After that first sighting I spent many hours in my car going to places near lakes and streams with the kids in tow searching for more. We treated it as an adventure and as long as they did not run out of snacks they were more than happy to go out “stalking eagles”. It became a time to talk about school, boys, and even girls on the rare occasion that my son would volunteer information. 

We surprisingly we fairly successful with several amazing eagle sightings through the years. But admittedly the sightings were not often enough to keep the young ones attentions. So you have a choice, you can wander aimlessly through the countryside and scan the skies, learning obscure back country roads and waterways... or you can boost your success rate for a sighting by checking out the Fish and Wildlife Pennsylvania Field Office map online which has the locations of many confirmed nests in our area. To find this webpage just google “PA Bald Eagle mapping tool” and you will soon be on your way to an informed journey. 

Why would you go out and stalk Bald Eagles in March? (you might ask) Well, let me tell you, Bald Eagles begin the nest building or rebuilding process and courtship about 1-3 months prior to laying eggs. And you guessed it, now is a great time to observe some amazing behaviors. 

One of my favorite places is the Lake Wilhelm area located down Route 19 in Goddard State Park. I have actually witnessed the eagles sitting on the ice searching for frozen fish. I have also been hearing reports that the eagles are very active right now just south of us in the Shenango Valley Reservoir which can be accessed by taking Route 18 south towards Sharon, Pa. If you prefer to stay more local there are at least two confirmed nests in the Conneaut Lake area and several more in the Pymatuning State Park. 

Where ever you decide to travel, make sure you bring a camera and possibly a pair of. binoculars. Eagles tend to nest in areas that are not accessible and there are established buffer zones around the nests since they are protected by federal law. Nests are typically very large and made of a mix of limbs and other materials so just look for dark shadows in the tree tops. Don’t see the nest from your location? Don’t get discouraged. Most of the amazing sightings I have had were the eagles flying overhead or perched in a tree nowhere near the nest itself. 

Eagles are also opportunistic birds and are not above being on the side of the road for a freshly hit animal, so be aware of this as you travel because they will take off with a huge wing span and can startle you if you are not prepared for it. The last thing you want to do is end up in the ditch or accidentally hitting the bird. 

So pack the kids, pack the snacks and head out for a wildlife adventure that will bring many family memories and a great chance to admire our National Bird. Remember until next time, not all those who wander are lost.

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard February 2019 ~ Pittsburgh Subway

Growing up in Northwestern Pennsylvania, I remember as a kid watching television programs and movies that were filmed in New York City. It seemed aside from the human characters that the City itself was a main character in each production. It had things that I had never seen growing up in small town America. 

One of those things was a subway. I thought that was the coolest idea ever and the concept of a city beneath a city was intriguing. I was an adult before I was able to take my first subway ride and it was in Toronto, Ontario Canada. 

It was not until recently that I was able to ride on the NYC subway and discover for myself how mass transit in a mass population area really worked. It was a totally different experience and I was able to share it on a return trip with my children. But, New York City is very far away and extremely expensive. Not exactly a place for a day trip. 

But, did you know that Pittsburgh also has a subway? I never realized this until one day I was driving through the area and noticed a sign that read “Subway”. It was not something I had noticed prior to my New York trip and probably because I had not yet trained myself to look for them. I just filed it away and thought that it would be cool to come back to ride it. 

Well, flash forward a year and I am with my daughter in Downtown Pittsburgh desperately searching for a parking space. After over 20 minutes of driving around and around the crazy traffic and one way streets, I remembered the subway. So, after a quick search on my cell phone we headed out of downtown to Station Square where there is a parking garage that is far less expensive then the lots in the city proper and seems to almost always have an open space. 

After parking we headed across to get the “T”. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have seen the light rail system running around Pittsburgh above ground and I have heard of the “T” before, but what I did not realize is that this turned into an actual subway system under the city itself. Complete with stations to access many locations that you may find difficult to park in. 

So call it a great adventure, and let the kids in on the planning. Let them use their internet skills to map out your journey and take some ownership of the event. It will help get them engaged and it is much easier to ride the transit system in a metro area if you have an idea where you are going. There are free popular apps for cell phones that will give you updated arrivals and realtime locations of your next train, Moovit is the one I like to use and it is fairly easy to search and find places to visit. You can purchase individual fares with cash to ride the T costing $2.75 or your can purchase a day pass for $7 and just hop on and hop off as you like. 

While you are in the Pittsburgh Area check out the downtown. The city and the buildings are completely different from the street level on foot. You will see statues and memorials, shops and businesses you would miss as you are watching traffic and trying to not run over any pedestrians. Robert Morris University put together a self guided walking tour of downtown that you can access on your cell phone at www.rmu.edu/about/pittsburghwalk.com. You can access the audio files and the tour takes about an hour to complete beginning at 6th Avenue and Grant Street in the park near the fountain. 

For a quick trip, head over to Point Park to see the Block House. Built in 1764 it is the oldest authenticated structure in America west of the Allegheny Mountains. it was originally part of Fort Pitt and is now a national registered historic place. 

If your trip is an adult only excursion, you can head to the Three Rivers Casino. But for a more family friendly trip, check out some of the local sights like the Heinz Museum, the Children’s 

Museum, the Carnegie Science Center or the National Aviary. Keep in mind most of these have an admission fee, but are very worthwhile to visit and have a website for more information. 

Where ever you chose to go, or however you chose to get there, you will find something to do that peaks the interest of everyone in your group. Remember to do a little research ahead of time and plan your trip. Because even though not all who wander are lost, you can be if you get turned around in the tall buildings. 

As Seen in Meadville Tribune

In Your Backyard January 2019 ~ Squire's Castle

Many a wide eyed child and several adults (myself included) watched the Disney movie “Frozen” and sang the songs. If you have such a child in your family, or a young at heart, then how about a road trip to a castle? 

Squire’s Castle is located on River Rd in Willoughby Hills, Ohio and is part of the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Although it has all the looks of a castle found in Europe and would be a fantastic place for your young ones to play Elsa or Anna, it was in fact built to be a caretakers/gate house for the larger mansion which was never built. 

Squire’s Castle is only a shell of a structure but wonderful to explore and a great location for photos. Built by Feargus B Squire in the late 1890’s as a summer estate and originally had three floors and a basement. Mr Squire was one of the founders of the Standard Oil Company as well as a trophy big game hunter. Many of the animal pelts and heads of his various hunts were placed in a trophy room inside the structure. 

Urban legend has it that the castle is haunted and one night during a violent thunderstorm, his wife (who never did want to live in the country) was startled by the mounts which were lit by the lightening and tripped and fell, breaking her neck. This so distressed her husband that he sold the property in 1922. Now, this legend has been completely debunked as Mrs Squire did not in fact die in the castle. She actually died in her residence in Wickcliffe, Ohio in 1929 from a stroke. However, the legend lives on and claims have been made that the screams of the woman can be heard at night or you can see her red lantern passing by the windows. 

So whether you are there for a wintery wonderland castle to fulfill the Frozen dreams or for the possibility of encountering a ghost that will indeed chill you to the bone you can do either. The North Chagrin Reservation is open from 6am-11pm daily. While you have made the trip there for the icy castle, make a note to return when the weather breaks for a trip to the North Chagrin Nature Center and Buttermilk Falls. Both of these locations are located within the Reservation as well along with trails and picnic pavilions. More information can be found at www.clevelandmetroparks.com with links to maps of all of the properties located in the “emerald necklace” of parks which surround the greater Cleveland area. 

As always remember that going off the beaten path can lead to great family adventures and wonderful memories. As you wander along, remember, you may not be lost. 

As Seen in Meadville Tribune