While pushing east on the
Cross PA Adventure Trail just outside the
Allegheny National Forest the trail began to parallel Tionesta Creek. I noticed a spur dropping off the trail and dropping down to creek level so I decided to explore for just a bit. It was a steep drop but once I was at the bottom it was amazing how lush and overgrown the entire area was with plants. Everything was thick, heavy, and healthy - it was like a mini-jungle down in this remote area.
Next up was a stop to the
Kinzua Bridge State Park to finally observe the
Kinzua Viaduct which was destroyed by a tornado just a few decades ago. When it was completed in 1882, it was the longest (2,053') and tallest (301') railroad viaduct in the world and considered by many to be the "eighth wonder of the world." Keep in mind it took only 94 days to build. It is really fun to walk on on the remaining section of bridge and look down at the destruction. No matter what man creates - nature seeks to destroy and break down to the simplest of elements.
The next day I stopped into the beautiful small town of
Smethport, Pennsylvania, for lunch and a quick tour. One thing is for sure - many of the small towns in the northern section of Pennsylvania remind me of what life was like a half-century ago. Climbing back into the mountains of the
Allegheny Plateau was wonderful even following a brief, but heavy, rain storm.
This was along the north-west perimeter road of
Hammersley Wild Area in the
Susquehannock State Forest. The forest service road was nice in many areas but there were signs of ongoing work. Most of the trail had a good bed of gravel whereas some areas were dirt with a mixture of mud and slick clay. Despite all of that, my BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires did not disappoint. After three decades of running MTs on all of my 4x4 and adventure vehicles I am really happy I finally made the switch.
In a previous post I had mentioned that I was planning to complete all three optional loops along the trail. This was the beginning of the second loop that encircled the
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon which is in the
Tioga State Forest. Are you beginning to sense the Pennsylvania has an abundance of state forests? If so, you are correct - they have twenty as of right now. This picture was taken from an overlook in
Colton State Park on the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge. You can also view the PA Grand Canyon from the east rim at
Leonard Harrison State Park.
Something very beautiful and special happened during my adventure. Late at night, I happened upon a section of the trail that appeared to be guarded by boulders intentionally placed there. Interestingly enough, there was just enough room for my full-size rig to squeeze through. It was pitch black, raining, and I now found myself on a very narrow and slightly overgrown shelf-road on the side of a steep valley. A few hundred meters later it all made sense, this section had been "closed" since a large area had been washed out. I had a decision to make, go for it or chicken out. I decided not to select either choice.
When I am on the trail I utilize a "three strikes you are out" rule. If I come to an area where I have a question on how to proceed I do my best to consider all available options as pragmatically as possible. This takes time which is a good thing - when I encounter a situation I generally slow the process down and resist rushing into another poor decision which only makes matters worse. I would slowly back up to a safe area and rest for the night. Strike on was the fact that I was alone. Strike two was the fact that I was in an unfamiliar area. Strike three was the fact that it was at night. Strike four was because it was raining. And strike five was because a large section of the trail was washed out. Do I need to push it to prove something to myself or anyone else. Nope, I am here to have fun.
The next morning I awoke and walked the next half-mile of trail. What a wreck! If I would have successfully cleared the first obstacle there were several more hiding in the dark just up the trail. It went from bad to worse and I was happy I decided to set my pride aside and sleep it off. While back in my camper eating breakfast I noticed the forest was dead silent. No wind, no birds or animals, nothing. Maybe they were all sleeping in late due to the storm. Then it happened...I listened to a tree being laid to rest.
In the midst of the silence I heard something I never had expected to hear - a single tree falling. There was no storm to blow it down, nor was there a man with a machine cutting it down. It came crashing down in the middle of a silent forest and with that one final gasp, gave everything it had left. For decades it had been a tall and strong tree, it provided so much to so many. Now it had fallen to the earth to be consumed. I took a moment to think about all of humanity and how we are only here for a very short amount of time. “For dust you are, and
to dust you shall return” - Genesis 3:19
Later that day I came upon a man training mini-horses for a mini-horse pulling contest. During my travels on the backroads of these United States I happen upon all sorts of interesting things - I never knew competitions like this existed but I will be looking to attend one in the future. Those are some tough little horses!
Oh gosh, yet another stream crossing, lol. Do you know why I often stop to take a picture at a stream crossing? For one reason I think stream crossing are cool. It's kind of like being a kid and standing next to a mud puddle. Yep, I am going to do it even though it makes no sense to others - I am just being me; a grown man who plays like a youngster at times because it's fun. And I always enjoy jumping out into the cool water and walking around for a bit. Cool mountain water, slippery rocks, crayfish, etc.
My gosh - there is so much to be had in Pennsylvania I suspect I could spend a year or more exploring the Commonwealth and still never see the majority of places. This picture was taken at
World's End State Park which is in the
Loyalsock State Forest. World's End and everything around it are supremely beautiful. Previously, I visited this same area along with nearby
Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. This is literally a romantic place where time has stood still...
Here I am parked on the side of a country road, long hair blowing in the wind and partially obscuring my view. I don't really need to see what it going on though - I can hear and feel it. A storm is brewing and the trees are screaming - I can see the silvery underside of every single leaf since the wind blows so hard. The clouds are playing and celebrating - there is so much energy in the air. This is nature. This is where we were born and where we will return. This is where life has been and always will be.
