Last week, I was in a a couple of small towns on or near Lake Erie. One, Bucyrus, Ohio, had a 3-D mural that was painted years ago on the side of a prominent city building. My friends walked up to it; and for a moment, I thought that if they kept going they would walk into the painting!

Last week as I toured a manufacturing company,  I was reminded anew that we truly are precious stones being set in a foundation of infinite love and hope. And and buffing and shaping of our lives is only meant to bring out the true color and depth of our character.

My trip north was cut short after I learned the news that my uncle had passed away, but before I left Denny and Joy managed to take me out to photograph a couple of barns. We only had a few minutes, but we all fell in love with this one. It had a new roof but its siding was in desperate need of repair.

And this barn appeared to have an old church window on its side. Everyone kept looking for red barns but I really would have been okay with white barns. They seem to fit the Pennsylvania countryside best.

I’ve gotten accustomed to going on “Denny Day Trips” that take me and those with me to far away places. On Wednesday afternoon, we packed the car and headed north or east or somewhere. Now that I think about it, when I’m in PA, I just let him and his wife Joy plan the day. This is the view of  the Allegheny River Trail. We have been to this river before in winter with snow falling down around us. This photo is of the Belmar Bridge—a railway bridge that was built to span the Allegheny River for the Jamestown, Franklin and Clearfield Railroad. It is 1,361 feet long, weighs 38,000 tons, and took more than a year to complete. The first train crossed this bridge on February 5, 1907.

We were in a different area but it doesn’t matter. Each view is beautiful and each one exposes the vast wilderness surrounding me. On the way back to his car, a fisherman stopped us and said, “Oh, you are going to like this trail.” I was relaxed with the sun and the wind washing down over me. Then I heard the following, “I saw a bear track down by where I was fishing,” he smiled just like the people do in Toccoa when they insist on telling me some wild tale that usually ends with me being frightened out of my wits.

The bridge that is a part of the trail was once a working railroad bridge with a double track. The steel, of course, was from Pittsburgh, PA. I thought this was an interesting photo of a guy on a jet ski floating down the river. It’s passenger was fishing off the side of the boat. No worries right?

This is a striking area and the day was awesome. A gentle wind was blowing and the temperatures were just right. I have to admit that I have fallen in love with northwestern Pennsylvania. I love the idea that we can drive to Lake Erie or even Canada in a day if our DDTs take us there. But I don’t think I’m tough enough to live there in the winter. And I don’t think Cocoa or Chip would make it either. But then there’s the bear track and the fact that this area probably does contain wolves . . . and who knows what else lurks in those woods.

I wish I had purchased this little guy for Chip. It’s Jack London through and through.

I won’t even try to explain where I am. But I will tell you that as I was traveling down the road in a state known for horse racing, I spotted this guy chewing hay and watching passing traffic! I just had to take his photo. Does he look like he is smiling for the camera?