Jun 11 2011

The Ultimate Denny Day Trip!

Filed under: Memories, Pennsylvania Countyside

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.

Jun 06 2011

Horsing Around!

Filed under: Memories

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?

Jun 02 2011

Snakes Alive!

Filed under: Toccoa Falls

Don’t panic! This is just a baby but I almost stepped on it! Yikes. I had taken my sandals off so I could easily walk on the rocks and take the next photo. But thankfully, I spotted this little guy first and stopped. He just looks curious and not really dangerous.

 

Well, I guess you can see that I got out of the stream and back up on the path where I took this early morning photograph of Toccoa Falls.

May 23 2011

Christ Church on St. Simons

Filed under: Coastal Journal

I thought I would post something simple this morning. The wall surrounding Christ Church on St. Simons Island has been photographed, I’m sure, many times by thousands of people. This is the church where in March 1736, Reverend Charles Wesley, who also served as Secretary for Indian Affairs and chaplain to General James Oglethorpe, began his ministry on the island.

From 1736-1766, many of the religious services on the island were conducted by brothers John and Charles Wesley, along with George Whitfield, among other clergy members of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Whew! That’s a lot of history. If only these bricks could talk!!

 

May 16 2011

Cocoa Joy’s Adventure

Filed under: Paw Prints

I love this dog! I say that all the time. On Sunday, we went on another walk with members from my church. They are a part of Cocoa’s pack now. She loves each one and usually gets passed from one person to another as she gives out dog kisses and hugs along the way.