This is my first “Saturday’s Critters” post. As you can tell from the blog title, I am joining the critter party a few weeks late. My blogging friend, Eileen, began this weekly meme on Saturday, December 7th.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, January 1st, a Facebook friend posted that he had viewed several eagles just below Kinzua Dam. Bob and I made a quick trip to Big Bend Recreation Area, just below Kinzua Dam, and saw at least six eagles. That is the most eagles I have ever seen in one place. It was a very exciting sighting for me!
This is one of several eagles that we viewed from the Riverside Watchable Wildlife Trail and Viewing Platform at Big Bend Recreation Area.
The eagles were across the Allegheny River, not very close to our viewing platform. I brought my 70-300 mm (EFL 140-600 mm) lens with me. I took several pictures. The photograph shown above turned out the best. Even zoomed in the full capability of my lens, I still had to do heavy cropping of the image. This is the very first time that I took a decent picture of an eagle in its natural habitat.
Kinzua Dam (5/31/2013) as viewed from Big Bend Recreation Area
Kinzua Dam is located 6 miles east of Warren, PA along Route 59. The dam was constructed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and was completed in 1965. The main purpose of Kinzua Dam is flood control on the Allegheny River. Additional benefits of Kinzua Dam include drought control, hydroelectric power production and recreation.
Immediately above Kinzua Dam is an upper reservoir.
I obtained this image and much of the information provided in this blog post from a Wikipedia article on the Kinzua Dam. This is an aerial view of Kinzua Dam and the Seneca Pumped Storage Generation Station. According to the Wikipedia article the Seneca Pumped Storage Generating Station is a hydroelectric power plant that uses pumped storage of water to generate electric power. Water is pumped into an upper reservoir (the crater of water seen on the left). When energy is needed, the water is allowed to fall back down and drive generators along the way.
Bob and I visited the upper reservoir yesterday afternoon. We traveled there via Brown Run Rd. and Jakes Rocks Rd. We really enjoyed our drive to the upper reservoir. We saw one doe and one fawn at two different locations. I didn’t capture a photograph of either family pair; however, the images of both deer families are locked in my memory.
It was a short climb from a parking area to the upper reservoir.
I read that the upper reservoir is 60 feet deep and 1/2 mile in diameter.
From the upper reservoir we continued on to Jakes Rocks.
Kinzua Dam impounds the 12,080-acre Allegheny Reservoir, of which 7,783 acres are within Pennsylvania. The remaining 4,297 acres are in New York. The Allegheny Reservoir is 27 miles long with 90 miles of shoreline and includes many recreational facilities to include marinas, boat launches and campgrounds . There are splendid views of Kinzua Dam and the Allegheny Reservoir from Jakes Rocks.
Jakes Rocks Overlook of Allegheny Reservoir
Allegheny Reservoir, as viewed from the overlook
Allegheny Reservoir, as viewed from the overlook
Jakes Rocks Overlooks of Kinzua Dam
From Jakes Rocks we backtracked, following Jakes Rocks Road and Brown Run Road to Route 59. We hoped to see more deer along the way. We didn’t. We still enjoyed the drive though. We had the road mainly to ourselves. Once on Route 59 we drove to Kinzua Dam, stopping first at the Big Bend Recreation Area.
Kinzua Dam as viewed from Big Bend Recreation Area
We had a bonus sighting, while at Big Bend Recreation Area. We saw three baby foxes (and the backside of a fourth baby fox when they all headed into the weeds because some children were shouting and running down the path towards them).
I had never seen a baby fox. What a cute baby!
From Big Bend Recreation Area we drove the short distance to Kinzua Dam itself.
Kinzua Dam and the Allegheny Reservoir
Kinzua Dam
I leave you with a short video clip that I took, while at Kinzua Dam.
Bob and I went on a shopping excursion a couple hours drive from our house. After completing our shopping and dinner at Bob Evans, we decided to check out the Kennerdell Scenic Overlook. According to a sign we passed on the way to the shopping mall, the overlook was only 10 miles away.
The Kennerdell Scenic Overlook is located in the town of Rockland, within Venango County, Pennsylvania. From the overlook one looks down upon the winding Allegheny River. I am so happy that we made that 20-mile round trip drive to the Kennerdell Scenic Overlook. Doesn’t the vista look beautiful with the setting sun shining on it?
We have two families – the families that we were born into and our Vulcan Riders and Owners Club (VROC) family. We have strong ties to both families. We spent yesterday afternoon with Tom and Heather, two members of our VROC family, whom we met briefly at the Wolfman’s Wandering Rally in June 2009.
Tom and Heather at Wolfman’s Wandering Rally 2009
Tom was looking at me, as I took this picture. Heather is sitting beside Tom, behind her mother. Although we had not seen either Heather or Tom since June 2009, we kept in touch via blogging and Facebook.On June 18 I received a Facebook message from Tom. He and Heather were planning a short camping trip to Evangola State Park, which is located along the shores of Lake Erie in New York between the cities of Dunkirk and Buffalo. Tom expressed an interest in riding through the Allegheny National Forest on Saturday and asked if I had any tips as to what is a must-see while around that area. I replied to Tom’s message the next day, providing him a list of places to see while in the Allegheny National Forest. I told Tom that Bob and I would be happy to ride with Heather and him, if they wanted to meet up with us. Tom replied to my message that same day. He and Heather would definitely like to meet up with us.Tom and Heather arrived at our house around 11:15 AM this past Saturday. Soon after their arrival we departed for downtown Warren. After Tom and Heather had topped off their fuel at Kwik Fill and took a few photographs of downtown Warren, we were on our way to the Allegheny National Forest.We followed the Allegheny River to Kinzua Dam.
Our first stop was at Kinzua Dam.
Our second stop was at Rimrock Overlook, which provides a lofty view of the Allegheny Reservoir.
Bob, Tom and Heather at Rimrock Overlook
Heather, Bob and Tom on stone stairway that leads to the base of Rimrock Overlook
Stone Stairway
Leaving Rimrock Overlook we backtracked a little ways to Jakes Rocks Overlook. Here we enjoyed one last look at Kinzua Dam.
Tom and Heather at Jakes Rocks Kinzua Dam Overlook
Leaving Jakes Rocks we took Longhouse Scenic Drive (FR262) to SR321, where we turned right towards Kane. Before reaching Kane we stopped for lunch at Bob’s Trading Post.
After lunch we rode through Kane and Mt. Jewett to Kinzua Bridge State Park.
Tom and Heather at Kinzua Bridge State Park In the background is what is left of Kinzua Bridge.
It has been 8 years since Kinzua Bridge was blown down by a tornado. Remnants of the bridge still lay on the forest floor. I wrote a blog post about the Kinzua Bridge in September 2009. If you are interested in reading that post about Kinzua Bridge and seeing a few more photographs, you may do so by clicking here.
From Kinzua Bridge State Park we made our way to Quaker Lake at Allegany State Park in New York, where we said our goodbyes. I’m so happy that Tom contacted me about his and Heather’s plan for riding through the Allegheny National Forest. Bob and I enjoyed Tom and Heather’s company and enjoyed riding with them. The chilly and wet weather couldn’t put a damper on the good times that we shared.
Tom uploaded a blog post about our ride through Allegheny National Forest as well. Please visit Tom and Heather’s blog, “Tales from the O.C.”, to read his description of the day’s ride as well as view additional pictures from the ride.
I mentioned in my previous post that I would be photographing my stepdaughter, Stacey, and her mother in the near future. That photo session happened yesterday. The photo session took place at three locations: Kinzua Dam, Bent Run Falls and Rimrock Overlook, all three locations in the Allegheny National Forest and not far from our home in Warren, PA.
Stacey and Chris at Kinzua Dam
Stacey and Chris at Bent Run Waterfall
Stacey and Chris at Rimrock
In addition to photographing Stacey and her mother, Chris, I managed to capture a couple photographs of the dads too.
Stacey and Jay at Bent Run Waterfall
Stacey and Bob at Bent Run Waterfall
After the photo session we went to Stacey’s house, where we were joined by Mike (Stacey’s fiance) and Jeff and Vanina (Jeff’s brother and sister-in-law). A pot luck BBQ dinner was enjoyed by all. All in all it was a wonderful day!
This past Sunday Bob and I drove to Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, to visit Bob’s sister, Cynthia, and her husband, Larry. Cynthia and Larry chose the Kennerdell area for a two-week vacation. The drive from our home in Warren to Kennerdell is approximately 1 1/2 hours. Please click here for a map of our route.
On our way to Kennerdell, we stopped for a short time at the Tidioute Overlook.
Tidioute Overlook Scenic View of Allegheny River
Tidioute Overlook Scenic view of town of Tidioute
Cynthia and Larry’s “home away from home” was Camp Kingfisher, a three-bedroom cottage located alongside the Allegheny River.
Larry had traveled the trail by bicycle to Emlenton the morning of our visit. He said it was 10 miles one way to Emlenton.
Cynthia and Larry at Camp Kingfisher
Bob and Cynthia
We enjoyed our visit with Cynthia and Larry. Our conversation topics included house projects, work, family, and present and future vacation plans. We also enjoyed a delicious meal that Cynthia prepared. Our main course was lasagna and salad, followed by chocolate cake for dessert. Cynthia had prepared two pans of lasagna, with the intention of giving us one pan to take home. We took home one pan of lasagna, which I promptly cut into individual portions and froze. We’ll be enjoying Cynthia’s lasagna for several days to come!
Before beginning our drive back home, Bob and I drove a short distance to the Kennerdell Overlook, which provides a scenic view of the Allegheny River.
View of Allegheny River from Kennerdell Overlook
This was Bob and my first visit to this part of Pennsylvania. We hope to make a return visit one day and explore the area in more detail!
Bob and I went for a 90-mile motorcycle ride yesterday afternoon. We rode to Kinzua Bridge State Park, which is located near Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania.
We had perfect riding conditions. The sunshine was brilliant, the sky blue with only a few clouds in view, and the temperature in the upper 60s or low 70s. We enjoyed the beauty of the red, yellow and orange colors of the leaves that surrounded us during our ride.
Kinzua Bridge State Park
It has been 7 years since Kinzua Bridge was blown down by a tornado. Remnants of the bridge still lay on the forest floor. I wrote a blog post about the Kinzua Bridge a little more than a year ago. If you are interested in reading that post about Kinzua Bridge and seeing a few more photographs, you may do so by clicking here. Prior to the tornado of 2003, Kinzua Bridge was a prime spot to enjoy the Autumn colors.
While at Kinzua Bridge State Park, we conversed with a man who doesn’t get “up this way much”. He told us that he lives 100 miles away, in Kittanning. Kittanning, you say? Well, I grew up near Kittanning. We share a few names, people whom we both know. As it turns out this man doesn’t live in Kittanning. He lives near Kittanning, in Worthington. I mention the name of a family who lives in Worthington. We made an amazing discovery! This man lives next door to the family mentioned. This man’s neighbors — Connie and Paul F. — are friends of mine. Connie and I graduated high school together. Wonders never cease! The world is a small place, isn’t it?
On our way back home from Kinzua Bridge State Park we stopped briefly at the Big Bend Recreation Area, along the Allegheny River, for a view of Kinzua Dam.
Bob, with Kinzua Dam in the background
Although Kinzua Dam is located only 6 miles from where we live, this was the first time that either Bob or I had seen Kinzua Dam from this vantage point.
We made one more stop before returning home. An 18-foot tall cast iron fountain was installed recently in Warren. I hadn’t yet seen the fountain.
Heritage Fountain
The new fountain is located at the intersection of Second and Pennsylvania Avenues in Warren, PA. This fountain is the centerpiece of Warren’s Downtown Streetscape Revitalization Project. I’ll be happy when construction in downtown Warren is completed. I believe the Streetscape Project was initiated sometime in 2009; however, construction in Warren has been ongoing since late 2002.
The Beauty Around Us 