The Beauty Around Us

A Sunday Drive

By Linda G. on April 15, 2014

We went for another day trip on Sunday, our fourth trip in as many days. We planned to go to Beartown Rocks in Clear Creek State Park. We never made it there.

As we were passing through Marienville on our way to Clear Creek State Park, we saw a sign for Loleta Recreation Area located 6 miles away. We decided to see what was located at Loleta Recreation Area.  Upon reaching Loleta, we saw a rutted, dirt road. Bob wondered where that road went.

 

After 10 miles or so on Forestry Road, we reached a paved road that went back into the heart of Marienville. We came into Marienville one road over from the road that we took to Loleta.

We did go back to Loleta Recreation Area. The quick peek I had of the area, before we departed for parts unknown, showed a creek in the center of a park-like setting, with water flowing over a dam.

From Loleta Recreation Area we drove to Clear Creek State Park.  Upon reaching Clear Creek State Park, we drove first to the swimming beach.

We stopped at the swimming beach because we knew that there was a restroom in this area. Unfortunately, the restroom was closed.   There weren’t any restroom facilities at Beartown Rocks, so we decided not to go there this trip.  We opted to go to Iron Mountain Grille, located a few miles away in Clarington, to make use of its restroom and have a late lunch.

We learned about this restaurant from one of my high school classmates (Thank you, Rick!), who lives in the area and had recently eaten there.  We ordered chicken salads.  Bob ordered a buffalo chicken salad. I ordered a grilled chicken salad. The salads came with French fries and a bread stick.  The salads were fresh and of a size suitable for a meal. The fries were crispy and hot.  The bread sticks were served fresh out of the oven.   Our meals tasted delicious and were reasonably priced.  Service was good too.  If the opportunity presents itself, we would eat there again.

After lunch we continued along Route 36 to Cooksburg, where we turned right onto River Road.  We drove along the Clarion River to Route 899, onto which we turned left, and made our way back into Marienville.  From Marienville, we continued on our way back home to Warren.