The Beauty Around Us

Cabin Fever Relief

By Linda G. on March 2, 2015

Saturday was a perfect day to relieve cabin fever. The day started out frigid (-17 degrees at 5:00 am). The sun was shining; the sky was bright blue; and the temperature had risen to almost 0 degrees when we departed Warren at 8:42 am en route Wellsboro, PA. Our plan for the day was to visit two state parks, Colton Point State Park on the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge and Leonard Harrison State Park on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, eat lunch in Wellsboro and then go back home.

We reached Ansonia at 11:12 am. As we approached the road to Colton Point State Park, we noticed a lot of parked trucks. We realized very quickly that snowmobiles had been transported to this site by the trucks. Pennsylvania DCNR officers were stationed at the foot of Colton Road to check that the snowmobiles were properly registered before allowing them to proceed into the park. I asked the DCNR officer if the road was open. He said that we could go but to be careful because there was lots of snowmobile traffic. Also he recommended not going past the first overlook, into the park, as it was likely we would get stuck. I asked if it would be better if we went to Leonard Harrison State Park. He said “definitely”. We decided to visit only the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge at Leonard Harrison State Park.

Leonard Harrison State Park, although accessible, is not maintained in the winter. The road to the park was plowed, and there was very little snow on the roadway.  At the park the visitor center, gift store and rest rooms were closed.  I was thankful to find a port-a-john in the parking lot. We were able to make it to the overlook, although the steps were not cleared of snow. We were rewarded with a breathtaking view of Pine Creek Gorge.

From Leonard Harrison State Park we drove into Wellsboro. We parked next to The Wellsboro Green. There were lots of people there, especially children. I walked into the park, where three adults stood next to a sign that read “snow mini golf”.   I learned that today was Wellsboro’s Winter Celebration. Winter activities for the family, such as snow mini golf and snow crafts, were being held at The Wellsboro Green. I learned, too, that other activities, e.g. Ice sculpturing, wood carving and chili tasting, were taking place down Main Street. During the conversation with the snow mini golf organizers, I asked if they could recommend a family-style restaurant.  They recommended Harland’s Family Style Restaurant, located a short distance from The Green.

Lunch at Harland’s was okay. Bob ordered a chef salad. I ordered a crunchy chicken salad. Our salads were fresh and tasted good. Service was very slow, owing to the fact I believe that there were only two waitresses covering 20 or so tables. One of those tables had seven diners. I doubt we go back to this restaurant, as we found nothing remarkable about it.

We didn’t check out the Winter Celebration activities, as we had a couple hour drive back home and didn’t intend to be away from home all day.  We started our drive back home around 1:30 pm.

Cabin fever relief was obtained, at least temporarily.  More snow fell on Sunday, adding to the deep piles of snow already on the ground.  I did see the temperature rise into the mid-30s on Sunday.  This is a good start to March.  The month of February was one of the coldest on record!