Huzzah!

Happy Flag Day!

Did you know that PA is the first (and only) state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday?  Aaah any reason for the state workers to take off, we're awesome like that.  Damn, I wish I worked for the state. 

P.S.  Today is also the day the Army celebrates its birthday - happy 237th!

Do go chase some waterfalls!

Saturday I decided to take a break from the usual yard work & took a road trip to Ricketts Glen. The 2.5 hour drive was well worth it to take in some of nature at its finest.  What's really amazing is it started to rain when I made it to the parking lot near the Falls Trail - but once you enter the forest little to no rain makes it to you.  The trees are so big and old they make a fantastic natural umbrella.  I didn't make it the whole 7 mile loop to see all the falls, hell I didn't even get half as far.  BUT I did get to see the main attraction - the 94' Ganoga Falls.  In a word, stunning.  I would highly recommend visiting this park right now - bring plenty of water, take your time, wear good shoes - the trail is clear but a little rough in some spots.  There is great access to the falls, lots of photo opportunities.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Life along the path

Let's make that even creepier with this: I discovered the path behind the dumpsters at work.  Yes, at a location where there is a large koi pond complete with a bridge and little waterfalls, I was wandering around behind the dumpsters.  I'm really glad I was because in my wanderings I discovered the path.

This beautious mowed trail leads to the path

I was delighted to find a blacktop trail surrounding a field where I soon encountered Bill.  I asked if the path went the whole way around or if it was a dead end - he assured me there is indeed a circuit & he sure does walk it twice a day with his dog Sandy.  I met some other nice people that told me a bit about how the path used to be & gave me some history on the building I work in.  Since the first day I've met some more dogs, the delightful Miss Helen and said hello to a variety of passersby on the path.  According to Noom's Cardio Trainer app it's nearly a mile (0.8 to be exact) and it's my new favorite place to be for lunch!

Marvelous after working in a windowless office all day!

Yinz are in Stillers Country

OK, I may have tricked Shawn into our first visit to Breezewood.  We travel the turnpike regularly to visit my family in western PA and I'd seen the sign numerous times advertising STEELERS STUFF.  I, like all of the Steeler Nation, totally dig STEELERS STUFF.  So on one of these treks to western PA the sign inspired me to spend monies and when we were a few hundred feet from the exit ramp I said, "Hey-Shawn-pull-off-here" super fast so he was kinda pressured into it.  Funny for me until we got to the tollbooth and he was all WTF we're exiting?  Oops, forgot you were in a race with every other man in the world to make it to your destination in record time.  Anyway, all was forgiven when he saw Crawford's Gift Shop sitting atop its little hill amongst all the gas stations & restaurants. 

The sunbeams give it that ethereal touch
ooooh, aaah

Somewhere outside there is a sign proclaiming "Souvenirs from all 50 states" or something of that nature but it's really more of a Steelers store as you may be able to tell from the various flags & lights outside.

 

 

 

At this point if you loathe the Black & Gold you should just go because it gets much more intense.  I have never seen so much Steelers-per-square-foot outside of Pittsburgh.  This store is amazing.  Hell, I used the restroom there once and I swear to you there were vinyl decals under the toilet seat.  Take a road trip out to Crawford's to see for yourself if you don't believe me - I swear you won't regret it.  I'm betting it will take more than a few shots of the porch to get you motivated, please do click these images to see larger!

 

 

 

Also some ♥ for the Pens! 

 

 

 

Yes, Steelers fans, you must make Breezewood a pit stop on your journey for memorabelia.  Particularly since I did not take any pictures of the clearance room.  That's right I said room of clearance merchandise.  I promise you it's not all crap back there either - yinz just gotta go!