Ride to Benezette, PA
Bob and I went for a motorcycle ride on Saturday, June 25. We departed home at 9:30 am, en route Benezette PA. Our first stop was in Ridgway PA.
We parked on South Broad Street, beside the courthouse.
Parked on South Broad Street in Ridgway, PA
Elk County Courthouse
Ridgway, PA
As I do whenever we pass through Ridgway and have no time constraints, I telephoned a friend who lives in Ridgway. Gretchen answered my call, AND she was in Ridgway. She wasn’t at her house, though. She was at her parents’ house, which is in Ridgway as well. Gretchen gave us directions to her parents’ house. A few minutes later we crashed her dad’s birthday BBQ.
I LOVE this picture of Baby “A”, Bob and me. Baby “A” is Gretchen’s granddaughter. We crashed Gretchen’s father’s birthday BBQ so that we could meet this beautiful and precious baby girl and, of course, to see our friend. Baby “A” is 6 weeks old in this picture. Thank you, Gretchen, for taking this picture of the three of us!
After a short visit with Gretchen and her family, we left for our next destination, lunch at Rose’s Hilltop Diner in Weedville, PA.
Rose’s Hilltop Diner
This diner was Dad’s favorite place to eat, while at his cabin in the “mountains”. I had hoped to see my cousin, Chrystle, who waitresses at the diner. We didn’t see Chrystle, as she wasn’t working that weekend. Bob ordered a Reuben sandwich with onion rings. I ordered a club sandwich. The food and service were excellent.
After lunch, we rode to Walmart in St. Marys. I purchased a lightning cable to charge my iPhone, while riding the motorcycle. I had forgotten to charge my iPhone before leaving on our ride. I am sure that the lightning cable will come in handy on other rides too.
From Walmart we rode to Benezette, to the old schoolhouse pavilion. We stopped at the pavilion to wish Cora and Dave congratulations on their marriage, which had taken place earlier in the day. Family and friends were gathered at the pavilion to celebrate their wedding.
Cora and I knew each other only via Facebook, via the Benezette Elk Camera Club group. We became Facebook friends in May 2012. We met in person for the first time at her wedding celebration. I walked up to Cora, soon after she arrived at the old schoolhouse pavilion. I said hello to Cora and asked if she knew who I was. It didn’t help Cora identify who I was, when I said that I was a member of the Benezette Elk Camera Club. The camera club has over 300 members, and Cora has not met everyone in the club. When I said that I lived in Warren, I could tell there was recognition on Cora’s part. She asked tentatively “Brenda?”. I said close enough, that my name is Linda Gross. It was nice to finally meet Cora in person, after 4 years of being Facebook friends.
Congratulations Dave and Cora!
Bob and I spent about an hour at the pavilion. We visited with a few other camera club group members in addition to Cora. Some of the club members we met 3 years ago at a club picnic in Benezette at the same location as the wedding celebration. Some of the club members were new to us, known until then only via Facebook. I am hoping that Bob and I can attend the next Benezette Elk Camera Club picnic, which will be held in late September.
From the old schoolhouse pavilion we rode to the Elk Country Visitor Center and to the elk viewing site on Winslow Hill. We didn’t expect to see any elk, given the time of day and how hot it was. We didn’t see any elk, as expected.
Oh WAIT!
We did see one elk, this one, while at the Elk Country Visitor Center.
I guess we should have stuck around for a longer time at Cora and Dave’s wedding celebration. Cora said that two deer and a elk came to visit!
We returned home around 5:00 pm, after a stop at Bob’s Trading Post in Kane, PA for pizza and ice cream.
The Beauty Around Us 
5 Responses to “Ride to Benezette, PA”
It looks as if this was a great ride, and I’m glad you were able to meet friends. The courthouse reminds me of the one in my hometown in Indiana.
We need a much longer visit soon. Meine kleine Engel would love to get to know you both so much more.
Hello, sounds like a fun trip and ride. It is nice you were able to stop and visit with your friends. I like the elk sculpture. Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead
What a fun trip Linda.
I’ve had some cyber buddies close to 30 years. One of them comes to my village fairly frequently when visiting family nearby. He won’t meet me as he says that he’s done that in the past and it spoiled the relationship. I know what he means as I’ve had that happen to me too. As you met your Facebook friend surrounded by others, I expect all will be well for you though.