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The
Maine Coastline
 It’s
difficult to encapsulate a trip to Maine into a word. Maine is more
of a feeling, a sense of place, and an experience that is most likely
different for everyone who visits. There’s just something about
the quintessential rock outcropping coastline and the fishing boats
scattered about the waters that makes you feel like you somehow belong
there. (more)
Niagara
Falls
 When's
the best time to visit Niagara Falls? The day after Christmas, of
course. Well, not really, but that's when I ended up going. My boyfriend
and I had planned a trip to Toronto and Montreal, and being that Niagara
Falls is located about an hour from Toronto, we decided to stop in
for a visit at America's oldest state park... (more)
Agua Las Vegas
 When
you think of Las Vegas, the thought of bright, colorful lights everywhere
might come to mind. But that is not the only thing about Las Vegas
that might seem environmentally unfriendly. Everywhere you walk in
Las Vegas, you can see vast amounts of water being used and consumed
in amounts almost unimaginable... (more)
The Hoover Dam
 Seven
hundred twenty six feet high. One thousand two hundred forty four
feet across. Six hundred sixty feet thick at the base. Forty five
feet thick at the top. Four point four million cubic yards of concrete
inside the structures. Forty five million pounds of reinforcing steel.
Even just looking at these numbers you know that this is an impressive
structure... (more)
Columcille
 Before
the onset of winter I try to get into the woods as much as possible.
For myself, the woods are the place I turn to — to refocus, reconnect,
and to find my own sense of spirituality... (more)
A Falling Adventure
 Late
summer and early fall are wonderful times to get outdoors and enjoy
nature — especially wooded areas. One of my favorite areas to
visit is the Delaware Water Gap, located on the border of Pennsylvania
and New Jersey. It stretches along 50 miles of the Delaware River
and covers over 70,000 acres along both shores... (more)
Crystal Cave - a Deep Adventure
 Caves
are black, cold, and scary, right? Well, maybe they'd seem that way
if you were one of the original explorers of Crystal Cave. The cave
was first discovered in 1871 by two Pennsylvania Dutchmen who were
working in a nearby quarry. Gideon Merkel and John Gehret were those
men... (more)
Island Life
 It
isn't every day that you have the chance to live a totally different
lifestyle. But I recently spent the week in the US Virgin Islands
on the island of St. John, and it was my first experience at island
life. ... (more)
Presque Isle
 Where
can you find a birders paradise in Pennsylvania? While there are many
hot spots around the state, Presque Isle State Park is a one-of-a-kind
place for nature enthusiasts, beach-goers, birders, hikers, boaters,
and just about anyone who enjoys being near water and nature. In fact,
it's the only 'seashore' in Pennsylvania, and over four million visitors
... (more)
Puerto Rico
 I
recently returned from a short, but wonderful trip to Puerto Rico.
Seeking relief from the winter blues, my husband and I sought out
a place of warmth and adventure to satisfy our need for el sol...
(more)
Winter Beauty, Part Two
 I
think I can speak for everyone on the east coast when I say, "I'm
ready for spring!" After the President's Day snowfall event, the entire
east coast is most likely looking forward the days of daffodils and
green grass... (more)
A Winter Wonderland
 The
long days of winter have been playing a tough game with Commonwealth
residents this year, and as is often the case, it seems like our lack
of snow last year is being made up for this year. What do the fluctuations
in the amounts of snowfall mean to our water resources? ... (more)
Pine Grove Furnace State Park
 Where
in Pennsylvania can you find breathtaking 360-degree vista views,
with rock outcroppings of quartzite luring climbers, hikers, and photographers
to its den? Take a trip on the wild side to Pine Grove Furnace State
Park in Cumberland County, and you’ll find much more than you’ve
bargained for... (more)
Waggoner's Gap
 I'm
going to share a secret with you that has been tucked under my hat
for a few years. Some of my friends will tell you that I claim to
have a secret birding spot.. but none of them know the exact location.
It's really not a secret at all, and among birding enthusiasts...
(more)
Stony Creek Valley
 I've
been visiting Stony Creek for years now, and it feels like home. Also
known as the St. Anthony's Wilderness, this area is teeming with beautiful
scenery, wildlife, and of course, Stony Creek. ... (more)
A Last Great Place — Block Island
 Located
just 12 miles out to sea from the Rhode Island coast lies a trip back
in time, where life depends upon the pace of your footsteps or the
pedals of your bicycle, along with the schedule of the mainland ferry.
Originally named "Manisses" or "Isle of the Little God" by the Indians
who originally ... (more)
The
Gulf Islands National Seashore
 This
past February I took a road trip to the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola,
Florida to be exact. What I found was that although I was sixteen
or so hours from home, there were remnants of the Northeast which
also made the long journey south - only they had done so hundreds
of years before my own trip. ... (more)
The
National Aquarium in Baltimore
 Baltimore,
Maryland is well known to tourists for a variety of reasons. If you've
ever visited this enchanting city for a taste of fresh seafood, a
trip to the Hard Rock Café, for a sporting adventure to Camden
Yards and the ESPN Zone, or just for a shopping spree in the very
'hip' Fells Point, than you may already know about the true jewel
of this port city... (more)
Wekiwa
Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida
 Florida
is well known for its beaches and, of course, the corporate sponsor
of the state, Disney World. I'm down south for my best friend's wedding
at Disney's Grand Floridian resort. But after days of park hopping
and celebrating, I'm exhausted and I need an escape to one of Florida's
unassuming nature retreats. My trusty companion is a forever friend
from my youth in small town Pennsylvania who is also feeling the need
to find some woods and find it fast.... (more)
The
Johnstown Flood Museum
The date May 31, 1889 does not conjure up the same images in the
American consciousness that the dates December 7th and September 11th
now do. But it wasn't always that way. At 3:10 PM on Friday, May 31,
1889 the inadequate and neglected South Fork Dam broke during a horrendous
rainstorm and dumped twenty million tons of water towards Johnstown,
Pennsylvania...(more)
Balancing
Nature and Urban Life at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinnicum
 On
the way to the Philadelphia International Airport, I have seen brownish
marshes and grasses right next to Interstate 95 several times. "Marshes
in the middle of developed land!?" I am sorry; I just cannot
stop asking myself that question. When I visited the John Heinz National
Wildlife Refuge at Tinnicum (means 'marsh' in Native American language)
for the first time, again, I felt that it was strange to see Canada
Geese lounging... (more)
Seven
Tubs
 I
have a heavy heart as I head to the Seven Tubs Natural area. The state
of the world has me fleeing to one of the only places where I can
truly escape - the woods. The area, also known as Whirlpool Valley,
is a place of solitude that has served me so many times as a place
to recharge and focus. As the great writer Thoreau so aptly put so
many years ago, we go to the woods "to live deliberately."
... (more)
Fairmount
WaterWorks
 I
am swept away as my guide, Ed Grusheski, quickly moves from room to
room in the underground of the Fairmount Water Works. His arms outstretched
and animated, he tells me in a dynamic fashion the process that took
place here only a century ago. It is a complicated system of boilers
and machines that leaves me dizzy, but intrigued... (more)
Beyond
Butterflies
 If
you think that the Academy of Natural Sciences on Benjamin Franklin
Parkway is just about dinosaurs and butterflies, you're not alone.
I was right in that boat beside you. But a recent trip to check out
the academy's new Living Downstream exhibit changed all that... (more)
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