New Baltimore Covered Bridge, by PAadventure.
If anyone has any stories, favourite places, or lives in Pennsylvania, please share them with me. I’ve thought and thought about this place for so long that I need to take a trip there. I especially want to see the mountains, nature, learn the history and also to see Terrain. Seasons wouldn’t be so bad, either.
at 9:08 am
Funny to see this – we drove through Pennsylvania last week on our way to New York for Thanksgiving. As my boyfriend drove, I peered out the window and gazed at the treetops and hills. I had my sketchbook in my lap and scratched out a number of drawings and jotted down short poems about the landscape – even from the highway, it mesmerized me.
My mum was born in Bristol, PA, and we still have family on her side there … I’ll ask her for recommendations for you, and send them your way. Godspeed and safe travels to you!
at 10:11 am
I lived in PA for 22 years before moving to Florida, but I miss the fall and winter there so much!
If you can, take a visit to Lancaster to see the Amish country. Eat a homebaked Shoofly Pie (my favorite) from the farmer’s market in Lancaster or the Bird-In-Hand Bakery. The town of Bird-In-Hand is also really neat. Here’s the website: http://www.bird-in-hand.com/index.php/
There’s also a lot of scenic biking and hiking in PA, especially Lancaster area. Also, there’s the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Kings Gap, Pine Grove Furnace, and the Susquehannock trails.
I lived in Harrisburg and there’s a lovely walk along the Susquehanna River. For good places to eat in Harrisburg, just walk on 2nd street (Restaurant Row).
I could go on and on about my beloved state. I’m so glad you’re interested in it!
at 1:49 pm
I live here
And must ditto the Kings Gap, Pine Grover Furnace Area. There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails around here in our beautiful state parks. Presque Isle in Erie, and Ricketts Glen has some beautiful waterfalls. I also agree 2nd street has many awesome places to eat in Harrisburg (part of why I never end up eating my packed lunch). Mangia Qui is delicious and uses a lot of local/fresh produce in their meals.
Gettysburg is beautiful too, not just the battlefield, but the town itself. Art galleries, craft stores, unique stuff all around. Lots of history & character in the architecture too. I’ve spent lots of time just wandering around Gettysburg.
Of course, Philadelphia & Pittsburgh are the two biggest cities with lots of stuff to do too.
Feel free to contact me if you end up coming around & want more info. Time/seasons, that would all depend on what you want to see. It’s beautiful in the fall with the leaves, summer is pretty anywhere you go, but I’m sure you’d have no problem finding beauty in any season. If you can deal with the cold weather, winter is beautiful here too.
at 1:51 pm
Spring was my favorite season in Pennsylvania. The blooming cherry and plum trees outside Philadelphia fill the month of April. School campuses with arboretums (Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, Pendle Hill) were my favorite because of the old, cared-for trees.
at 9:07 pm
I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, but have spent most of my life in New England and don’t feel as if I’m from there. That being said, it really is a beautiful state. It’s so green. Bucks County is very pretty, but I recently went to the Harrisburg area and couldn’t get over how green and beautiful it is there. Especially near Gettysburg. Of course, if you want to see fall foliage, you need to visit NH. But the leaves in PA are pretty good too.
at 6:11 am
Terrain is an amazing store – the food in the cafe is delicious and there is so much to pet and inspire – bring your camera (Even the toilet paper holder in the bathroom is creative). PA is a great state – green, down to earth, play in the dirt kind of place. Bucks County and Montogomery County are both beautiful (North East of Phiadelphia). Feel free to e-mail me with questions.
at 1:34 pm
I’m sorry to dissapoint everyone but Terrain is overpriced to say the least! I live in Glen Mills, probably 2 miles from Terrain and believe me when I say that it is NOT all that it’s cracked up to be. Anthropologie is literally across teh street from there, in a busy clustered shopping center, full of hustle and bustle so dreaming up images is fine but I think people tend to have an overly romanticized version of Terrain and Anthropologie…. I don’t see things this way. I see $200 sweaters and $60 cactuses and in this economy that’s just absurd! Not to mention, Terrain used to be called Styers and it was a belowed nursery that unfortunately started going down due to mismanagement and bad economy so Ubran Outfitters bought it, turned it into the machine that it is today but it is a PSEUDO nursery. To locals, it is a socially irresponsible way of getting rid of what’s left of sense of community and replacing it with corporate bottom line. Honestly, here in Glen Mills no one wants Terrain to suceed. As a matter of fact, I heard (my great sources) that as a whole, they’re doing quite bad.
at 7:13 am
I grew up in Pennsylvania, in a little town right near Pittsburgh. We’ve been all over the state but Pittsburgh is just amazing – I have fond memories of going to see lots of ballets and musicals there, so I’d say check out the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. And drive around lots – it’s really beautiful!
at 2:04 pm
i grew up in somerset, pa, very close to new baltimore (from your picture), then lived in pittsburgh for about 9 years. we sometimes attended the catholic church on the hill in new baltimore when my parents were good friends with the priest there. the brick building in the background of your picture looks like the rectory of that church. i think there’s still a sign on the side of the turnpike, that says “st. johns” where you used to be able to park your car and go to mass. it’s a beautiful part of the state to live in and visit. i’m now in NC, but my dad and two of my sisters still live there. i hope you get a chance to make the trip.
at 10:13 am
Hope you had a lovely Christmas, Alex.
at 7:30 pm
Happy holidays to you Alex. I have missed your insights and comments this past month. I hope that all is well with you and yours. I wish you health and happiness in the new year.
Patricia
at 1:56 pm
Alex, I love your blog but I must disagree on Terrain (and agree with Amanda).
Styer’s (now Terrain) was a belowed nursery with a rich history behind it. It was a local pride and joy. They did not advertise (Terrain’s ad is now in Phila mag and the ultra-snooty Main Line mag- what does that tell you?).
Just don’t “pine” for this one.
Besides fancy pants, Smith & Hawken will search and destroy them anyway.
Real gardeners dont buy into this type of gentrification, that’s why we garden in the first place, to get AWAY from consumerism, especially trendy ” i drove my gas guzzler s.u.v. to the ritzy garden store to save the planet and my soul”. Everybody start saving your own seeds and reusing your own twine.
at 1:53 pm
Glad you liked the photo!
at 2:07 pm
You’ll have to be more specific about what are you’d want to visit-the entire state has nice areas that are good for nature lovers, from Erie to Jim Thorpe & the Poconos, to city site-seeing in Pittsburgh & Philadelphia.
at 11:45 pm
I’m from PA, PaDutch country. Specifically a small town in Eastern PA called New Tripoli. It’s about 1 and a half ours from Philly and NYC, but is still totally country. The middle of nowhere! I love it. Here is a post I did recently on where I’m from.
http://shaywilliams.blogspot.com/2009/01/well-if-you-aint-dutch-you-aint-much.html
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