Out and About in Pennsylvania
Natural wonders and fun, hard-working people are PPFF's stock in trade. Here are some of their faces and places.
"My favorite forest is the Rothrock State Forest principally because I have spent so much time there over the years. It is so remarkably diverse in terms of the variety of plant and animal communities, and it contains limestone and freestone streams of exceptional quality." -Pete Duncan, PPFF Board
Enjoy the following excerpts and stories from visitors to state parks and forests. Have a story or photograph to show? Email Pam Metzger!
5/7/10
NRPA SAVE OUR PARKS! PSA CONTEST -- deadline extended to June 1, 2010
Use social media to communicate the importance of parks and recreation to America and win a free one-year membership and registration to NRPA's Congress & Exposition! NRPA is encouraging all interested individuals and agencies to create a 30-second PSA with the theme, Save Our Parks! What would happen if parks disappeared? How would the lack of parks and recreation facilities affect your community or America's communities in the short- and/or long-term? By harnessing the power of YouTubeTM and the collective energy of the parks and recreation community, we hope we can send a message that will spread quickly and be heard throughout the country. The winning PSA will be publicly played at Congress in October and featured in the July issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine! Click here for all the details, and to find out how to enter.
10/5/09
Out and About at Presque Isle State Park
7/13/09
Ohiopyle State Park and Friends Hold 3rd Annual Photo Contest
7/2/09
Leave your hometown behind and Explore PA. Experience art and culture along Pennsylvania’s Artists’ Trails, mingle with the crowds at Fairs & Festivals, delve into the history of state’s Spirit of Independence and reconnect with friends and family in Pennsylvania Homecomings. Every episode of Explore PA also features a look at Pennsylvania’s outdoor adventures and natural treasures. No matter the weather it’s always a great time to hike a state park, visit a wildlife refuge or even go ice fishing!
Click below to enjoy the featured episode.
6/15/09
Pennsylvania State Parks finalist for National Gold Medal Award
5/15/09
Ridley Creek State Park
At Ridley Creek State Park there are lots of trees,
There are even a bunch of fleas.
There are lots of animals, but do not fear,
Some of them are like harmless deer.
In the park there is a beautiful creek,
That has fish that you might seek.
Lurking in the woods there is a bear,
For some people it can really be a scare.
There are many caterpillars on leaves,
Food and shelter are what they receive.
Going to Ridley State Park was a choice that I did not regret,
It was an adventure that I would never forget.
Pratik Tarafdar
10 years old
12/29/08
Black Moshannon
Jamie asked me to marry him last night! Down on both knees! Of course
I said "yes"!
8/24/07-8/31/07
Black Moshannon
My family came to Black Mashannon 27 years ago when I was an infant. This week I came with my husband and my 2 daughters (1 1/2 and 5 years old). We had a great time; we did not want to leave. We enjoyed the modern cabins. Usually we stay in the rustic cabins at other State Parks. The cabins were cozy, clean, and we felt at home.
8/19/07-8/23/07
Black Moshannon
We had a blast! It rained pretty much continually, for the first 3 days, but we had fun playing games, making pictures in the knots of the ceiling and hiking in the rain. Kids report: 6 year old: we saw two chipmunks and a lot of birds. The Bog Trail was fun because we saw a frog. 7 year old: We think we saw a bat on the cabin outside. The Ski Slope trail and saw a pepper frog. That trail was kind of steep! 9 year old: There is a knot that looks like a boot in the bedroom with the bunk beds. There is an eagle in the knots on the ceiling of the bathroom. We raced back to the cabin from the Senaca Trail/Haywood trail. The Seneca Trail is longer.
4/27/07-4/29/07
Black Moshannon
We came out for a long, early-spring weekend with our four children,
and had a great time! All was peaceful and quite (except for our crew!) and found the bogs to be very interesting (counts towards one home school science!). The cabin was perfect - just enough space for a family with small children! Had a good time teaching the kids to fish (although we didn't catch anything - maybe next time). We enjoyed hiking Seneca Trail and Hay Creek Trails down to The Bog - any longer trails would have been too much for the little ones! They loved having the freedom to play "in the woods" just outside the cabin and Dad and I were able to enjoy a little quite over coffee! Hopefully, they weren't too loud for the seniors staying in the cabin next door! Beautiful and sunny today - very sad to go back to the "real world"! Thankful to have had such a nice time with the kids.
1/27/07
Black Moshannon
Black Mo. was absolutely beautiful in winter time, as it always is. As we are about to leave this place, the snow is falling softly and thickly outside the windows. We'll all look back fondly on a weekend filled with board games, a campfire, good food, hiking, and some capture the flag in the dark. Looking forward to the next adventure up here. -The Ecology Program at P.S.U.
6/23/06-6/30/06
Black Moshannon
We had the best time this year. Every year we reserve this cabin for our camping adventures. We went swimming, fishing, blueberry picking, and shopping for souvenirs at the concession stand which has the nest ice cream ever! My favorite thing to do is the campfires. My three other sisters make things difficult sometimes but I love it out here. I really don't know how my parents handle us all with such patience. Unfortunately, we aren't totally cut off from the world with the television my father hooks up, but I kind of like it that way.
6/9/06-6/16/06
Black Moshannon
Terry and I come to relax and unwind. Our daughter and her husband come to visit, eat, and relax. They live close by... The granddaughters (ages 14 and 6) bring friends and they have a grand time. We fish, hike, go to the Rangers Station, and the Environmental Center. Don't know about the beach this year - it's pretty cold - we'll have to wait and see. We are enjoying sitting around the campfire though.
