Wellsboro PA | The Beauty Around Us

More Leaf Peeping

We enjoyed another day of leaf peeping. Tuesday, October 11, was a sunny and warm Autumn day. We drove to Wellsboro PA, where we enjoyed the scenic vistas at both Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park.

The following photographs were taken at Leonard Harrison State Park. Leonard Harrison State Park is on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

From Leonard Harrison State Park we drove into Wellsboro. We parked on the street in front of The Green. We walked across the street to The Native Bagel for bagels. My bagel was cinnamon and raisin with cream cheese. Bob’s bagel was Asiago cheese with butter. Both bagels were toasted and delicious. We also had a cup of tea (me) and a cup of coffee (Bob). We try to go to The Native Bagel, whenever we are in Wellsboro because we went there on our honeymoon.

After eating our bagels, we walked across the street once again and strolled through The Green.

The Wynken, Blynken, and Nod Statue is the centerpiece of The Green.

Leaving Wellsboro, we drove to Colton Point State Park. Colton Point State Park is on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge. The following photographs were taken at Colton Point State Park.

I took this picture, after parking at the first overlook.

This was the view from the parking lot, looking away from the first overlook.

This was the second overlook. Look toward the sky underneath the bare tree branches. You can see the overlook at Leonard Harrison State Park.

On our drive back home we stopped in Coudersport at Cream ‘n Sugar. Bob got a piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. I got a small peanut butter cup ice cream. The ice cream was from Penn State Berkey Creamery. We were aware that ice cream was available on the Penn State campus and that it was a well known creamery. The ice cream was smooth and creamy … delicious. Bob wished afterward that he would have gotten ice cream instead of the cake, although the cake was good too.

We enjoyed our day trip very much so. It looks like we chose the day well to make the trip, as Wednesday was cloudy and today (Thursday, October 13), it is raining.

Labor Day Motorcycle Ride

We enjoyed an all-day motorcycle ride with friends on Labor Day (September 4th).

We met our friends at 7:30 am at the Hog Wild BBQ just outside of Warren.

Our ride began at the Hog Wild BBQ Co.

It was a chilly (and sometimes foggy) ride through lunch time. To prepare for the cold ride I wore the liner in my leather coat and leggings underneath my jeans. I wore a long sleeved shirt underneath my leather jacket. A pair of gloves completed my cold weather wear. Everyone else dressed warmly as well. We removed layers, as it warmed up. It was very freeing, when the last of the warm weather clothing was removed. Donna and I were in agreement that doing so was freeing. We could move freely once again!

We followed Pennsylvania Route 59 and U.S. Route 6 to Wellsboro, making one stop in Port Allegheny.

We stopped briefly at Sheetz in Port Allegheny, PA.

Debbie was inside Sheetz at the time I took the picture displayed above. I wasn’t in that picture, because I took the picture. Scott said I am never in any of our group pictures. I handed Scott my iPhone, when Debbie came out of Sheetz.

The purpose of our ride to Wellsboro was to see Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. It was the first time three of our friends had ever been there. We enjoyed the view from both Colton Point State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park.

Donna and Scott at Colton Point State Park

Bob and our friends at Colton Point State Park

We even enjoyed (after the fact) an off-road ride on a slick, muddy trail at Colton Point State Park. The muddy trail was a bit treacherous riding on heavy street motorcycles! Thankfully, there was no mishaps. That is why I wrote that we enjoyed the off-road rode AFTER we successfully made it to pavement once again.

From Colton Point State Park we rode to Leonard Harrison State Park.

A very nice young couple took a picture of all of us at Leonard Harrison State Park.

I reciprocated the favor by taking a picture of the two of them at this overlook.

We ate lunch at the Wellsboro Diner. The diner was crowded, when we arrived. It stayed busy for our entire stay. We had hoped to get the big table in back, but we settled for two booths, one in front of the other. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch of an omelet, toast and home fries. Bob said his roast beef club sandwich was good. I heard nothing but praise for each lunch selection.

We made three stops on the way back home. Our first stop was for fuel in Wellsboro. Our second stop was at Sheetz, once again in Port Allegheny. It seemed like it took longer to get here on the way home than it did on the way to Wellsboro! The motorcycle riders sure needed a break to stretch. A few of us needed caffeine and carbs to alleviate sleepiness!

Paul cheated at the Port Allegheny stop.
He put up the soft top on the jeep.
The jeep was pretending to be a motorcycle.

The wind was bothering Paul’s ears. I suggested ear muffs next time. Someone else suggested that Paul wear a helmet.

Our third stop was for ice cream at the Mt. Jewett Family Tastee Freeze. We call our group “2 Scoop Cycletherapy”, and we always include an ice cream stop on our rides.

We rode about 260 miles, returning home around 6:00 pm. We had a fun day with our friends sharing beautiful vistas, laughs, conversation and food. The ride was a great way to conclude the unofficial end of summer. I hope, though, that we get in a few more rides before the riding season ends!

Returning Home from a Pocono Mountains Weekend Part 3

Leaving Knapp’s Covered Bridge, we continued driving west on U.S. Route 6. Our last sightseeing stop before returning home from our Pocono Mountains weekend getaway was in Wellsboro, where we stopped briefly in the town center before visiting Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park.

The Mary Wells Morris statue sits near the Tioga County Courthouse, located across the street from The Green. Wellsboro was settled by Benjamin Morris and his wife, Mary. According to this article, the statue has stood next to the historical society on Main Street since 2009. We have visited Wellsboro frequently over the years, as it is within a 2-hour drive of our home. This was the first time that we saw this statue.

Across the street from the courthouse is The Green.

The Green’s centerpiece is the Wynken, Blyken and Nod statue and fountain.

During our visit, the fountain had not yet been turned on.

One of the features of this quaint town that I adore are the gas lit streets.

Wellsboro is the gateway to the spectacular Pine Creek Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which stretches 50 miles and reaches depths of 1,000 feet. Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park perch on opposite sides of the canyon.

Leonard Harrison State Park, the east rim of the canyon, may be reached by following Route 660 West of Wellsboro for approximately 12 miles.

Route 660 ends at the entrance to Leonard Harrison State Park.

Walk through this entrance
and feast your eyes
on the spectacular views
of Pine Creek Gorge!

Pine Creek Gorge is magnificent!

To view the canyon from Colton Point State Park, the west rim of the canyon, follow Route 6 West of Wellsboro. The entrance to the park is along Route 6 in Ansonia approximately 12 miles from the town of Wellsboro.

Pine Creek Gorge from one of
Colton Point State Park’s overlooks

There is a circular one-way road that passes by several picnic pavilions. We usually drive on this road and head back down the mountain. On this visit we decided to check out the trail that lies beyond the wood fence.

I believe this is part of the Rim Trail. I am not certain, though, as Rim Trail follows the perimeter of the ‘point’ and links all of the overlook view areas together into a wonderful and mostly flat hike. THIS trail was NOT flat.

Pine Creek Gorge,
as seen from the trail beyond the wood fence

The highlight of our visit to Colton Point State Park was discovering this view of Turkey Path Falls, which is visible on the trail beyond the wood fence.

This was the first time I had seen the falls. Bob saw this waterfall on an earlier trip to Wellsboro. He hiked the Turkey Path Trail, which is accessible from Leonard Harrison State Park. The trail is 2 miles round trip and is described as a “most difficult trail”. I opted not to hike that trail! Turkey Path Trail trail descends one mile to the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge. It is a down and back trail. The top half of the trail descends through a series of switchbacks to a view of Little Four-Mile Run at 0.5 miles, then on a short distance to the first waterfall. The trail continues downward along narrow switchbacks and wooden decking, bridges, and steps. The lowest parts of the trail are along a series of waterfalls. The trail ends at the Pine Creek Trail. The photograph displayed above is where Turkey Path Trail ends. When Bob hiked the Turkey Path Trail in July 2016, there was only a trickle of water coming down the hill. Turkey Path Falls was gushing during our most recent visit!

A little further along on the trail we were able to see the viewing area at Leonard Harrison State Park.

Leonard Harrison State Park,
as seen from Colton Point State Park

We ate a picnic lunch, when we returned from our hike.

One of the picnic pavilions located on the circular loop

After our picnic we left Colton Point State Park and continued our drive west on U.S. Route 6 to our home in Warren, PA. We returned home around 5:00 pm.

An Overnight Stay in Wellsboro, PA

We left Eagles Mere on Sunday, July 10, at 1:40 pm, en route Wellsboro, PA. We arrived in Wellsboro around 3:30 pm and checked into the Sherwood Motel. Soon after checking in we walked to the Wellsboro Diner for dinner. Dinner was OK but nothing to rave about. We relaxed in our room, after dinner, until 6;00 pm. We, then, went for a walk to The Green, where we said hello to Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod water fountain on The Green

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Bob suggested taking in a movie at Arcadia Theatre. The last time we watched a movie in a theatre was January 2010, when we watched the 3D presentation of “Avatar”. The movie we watched in Wellsboro was called “The BFG”. The storyline, as written by Jwelch5742 on the IMDb.com site is as follows: “Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie’s presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Elizabeth to help them get rid of all the bad giants [that eat children] once and for all.” It was an enjoyable movie.

From the movie theatre we walked back to the Sherwood Motel. We were in bed by 9:30 pm.

The next day we awakened at 5:30 am. The Sherwood Motel provides hot beverages and oatmeal for breakfast, but not until 7:00 am. After Bob got showered and dressed, he walked to McDonald’s, while I got showered and dressed, and picked up breakfast. We ate breakfast in our room.

We checked out of our room at 6:45 am, leaving the key in the room as instructed by the desk clerk when we checked in the prior afternoon.

We drove to Leonard Harrison State Park. Leonard Harrison State Park is on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. We hiked the Overlook Trail (0.6 mile) that goes to Otter View, a vista looking to the south. I made it only 2/3 of the way to Otter View, as the trail got a little too steep for my comfort. I have an arthritic knee. The knee is always stiff in the morning. Walking will usually eliminate the stiffness. The stiffness just wouldn’t leave that morning.

Overlook Trail
Bob is hiking to Otter View.

Overlook Trail
Bob took this picture, as he neared Otter View.

Overlook Trail: Otter View
(photo by Bob)

Another point of interest on the Overlook Trail is an old incinerator, a reminder of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ work in the park.

Overlook Trail
an old incinerator
(photo by Bob)

The Overlook Trail is not the only trail that Bob hiked. He also hiked the Turkey Path Trail.

Bob at the Turkey Path Trail
He will walk 1 mile down the trail and another mile back up the trail.
See you in about 1 1/2 hours!

The Turkey Path Trail follows Little Fourmile Run down the side of the canyon, descending over 800 feet to Pine Creek and the rail trail at the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge.

While Bob was hiking the Turkey Path Trail, I stayed near the Visitor Center and enjoyed the canyon vistas from there.

Two Leonard Harrison State Park views of Pine Creek Gorge

From Leonard Harrison State Park we drove to the west rim of the canyon, to Colton Point State Park. The west rim of the canyon provides good views of Pine Creek Gorge as well.

Two Colton Point State Park views of Pine Creek Gorge

After checking out a couple of the overlooks from the west rim, we exited Colton Point State Park via Colton Road and Painter Run Road. These were mountain roads with steep descents and switchbacks.

We reached US Route 6 at 11:55 am and began our drive home.

We ate lunch in Galeton at the Brick House Cafe. The cafe has good reviews, but we didn’t care for it. Bob ordered beef on weck, and I ordered a bacon cheeseburger. Bob liked his beef on weck; my bacon cheeseburger was dry. We ordered onion rings too. They were good. The peanut butter cookies Bob bought were blah. We didn’t get plates for the onion rings; they didn’t ask if I wanted any catsup, mustard or mayonaisse. They provided no silverware. Beverages were “help yourself”. When it was time to pay, we would told “we will ring you up over there”. “Over there” resulted in the purchase of the peanut butter cookies that weren’t good tasting. We won’t go back to the Brick House Cafe.

We returned home at 3:45 pm thankful for another great vacation but happy to be home!

An All-Day Motorcycle Ride

Bob and I, along with two other couples, went on an all-day motorcycle ride on Saturday. We left home at 7:30 am and returned home about 12 hours later. We rode 266 miles.

We rode to Leonard Harrison State Park in Wellsboro. We made two stops en route the park. Our first stop was in Smethport, along Route 6.

Smethport, PA

We had just ridden over several miles of Route 59 that was tarred & chipped. This stop was to stretch and to commiserate with each other about having to ride over a road surface that had been recently tarred and chipped. Bob, Paul and John were driving at speeds to minimize the effects of fresh tar and chips to the motorcycles. People passing us drove too fast, disregarding what could happen, as they sprayed chips in our direction. Bob heard gravel hit our motorcycle. He thought the gravel hit the windshield. When he checked, he didn’t find a ding in the windshield. Bob said if the motorcycle sustained a ding, he will find it when he washes the bike. I hope none of the motorcycles received dings from flying gravel.

We did see immediate injury from a flying piece of gravel, though.

Paul was hit in the cheek with a flying chip. He sustained a small cut. Thankfully, his injury wasn’t any worse!

Our second stop was a fuel stop at Sheetz in Coudersport.

There is a very pretty park near Sheetz in Coudersport.
The park is where I took this very nice photograph of Debbie and Paul.

Oh no! Not again!
We had no alternative but to ride on this road.
We were on the road leading into Leonard Harrison State Park.

We took our time admiring the view of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, while at Leonard Harrison State Park.

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

Leonard Harrison State Park

John, Carol, Bob and I

It was John and Carol’s first visit to Wellsboro. They liked the ride to the park, as well as the views from the park itself.

From Leonard Harrison State Park we rode into Wellsboro and ate lunch at the Wellsboro Diner. The diner was crowded, when we arrived. There was a booth available in the main part of the diner and a round table in the gift shop area. We chose the round table, as it provided more room and was in a quieter location. Everyone except for Bob ordered cheeseburgers and fries. Bob ordered a steak sandwich and onion rings. Lunch was very good.

On our way back home we made three stops. We made a fuel stop in Port Allegheny and we stopped for ice cream in Mt. Jewett. In between those two stops we visited Kinzua Bridge State Park. We walked across the Kinzua Skywalk.

Kinzua Skywalk

Remains of Kinzua Bridge, after tornado

It is quite an experience to walk out onto those blocks of glass. I am smiling here. I wasn’t smiling a few minutes before this photograph was taken. I probably had a look of surprise on my face at that time, as Bob, Paul and John jumped up and down on the block of glass that I was standing on!

Paul is peering down to the forest floor below the bridge.

All six of us on the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk

We hung around the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk for a while. It was fun to watch and listen to people’s reactions, as they contemplated whether or not to walk on the blocks of glass from which you could see way, way down to the forest floor.

Oh, I almost forgot. While riding en route Port Allegheny, Bob had to dodge flying square pieces of slab wood. He rode over one. Thankfully, we didn’t blow a tire and, more importantly, none of us were injured!

We had an amazing day with great friends. We enjoyed the ride, the laughter, the fun and making memories with our friends. Bob and I have visited Leonard Harrison State Park many times since we were married. We have enjoyed the beauty there together, alone. Saturday was the first time that Bob and I were able to share the beauty of the view of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon from Leonard Harrison State Park with friends.

Cabin Fever Relief

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.

Pine Creek Gorge

Bob and I at Leonard Harrison State Park

Pine Creek Gorge

There are steps underneath all that snow!

One last look at 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!

Independence Day Ride

Bob and I went for a motorcycle ride yesterday. We rode to Wellsboro PA, located approximately 2 hours west of where we live.

We departed home at 9:00 am and stopped for breakfast at Don & Lu’s Place in Smethport. Bob’s breakfast consisted of a bacon and cheese omelet, toast and coffee. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries and toast for my breakfast. Both breakfasts were very good. We arrived in the vicinity of Wellsboro around noon.

Wellsboro is home to Pine Creek Gorge, which is better known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Two parks, Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park, provide spectacular views of Pine Creek Gorge.

Our first stop in Wellsboro was at Leonard Harrison State Park,
where we enjoyed this view of Pine Creek Gorge.

From Leonard Harrison State Park we rode into downtown Wellsboro, where we took a short walk along Main Street to the town square.

Wellsboro’s town square is known as The Green. At its very center is a large Fountain with Winken, Blinken, and Nod.

Across from The Green is the Tioga County Courthouse.

While walking along Main Street to and from The Green, we heard piano music.

This piano is one of several located along Main Street. The pianos appeared on Main Street on June 22, at the beginning of Wellsboro’s Summer Fringe–a week-long exploration of the performing arts including music, dance, theater, art, writing, poetry, comedy, storytelling, and photography.

Victorian gas lights line Main Street.

Our last stop in Wellsboro was at Colton Point State Park, where we once again admired Pine Creek Gorge.

Pine Creek Gorge
Colton Point State Park

On our way home we stopped for dinner at the Barrel House Restaurant and Tavern, located at the intersection of Routes 6 and 219 in Lantz Corners. Bob ordered a prime rib steak salad; I ordered a taco salad. Both salads were delicious.

We returned home around 7:00 pm, tired but happy about how we spent this year’s Independence Day.