Rails to Trails in Poe Paddy State Park

My hubby and I have been spending a lot of time riding our hybrid bikes since we purchased them for each other for Christmas. We are exploring places we've never even heard of before. Did you know there is a Rails to Trails in Poe Paddy State Park? This is a place where I picnicked and camped as a child. Many years ago, there was a railroad that hauled lumber out of this wooded area. A whole lumbering community of about 400 grew up around this railroad.

This is a short Rails to Trails of a little over 3 miles. It's a little hard to find, but it's worth the drive and the search. It's kind of a hidden gem if you like hiking or recreational biking.

Poe Paddy is a small state park in Centre County. It's a primitive campsite for tents and small campers. Park in the Big Poe parking lot and walk or bike up through the camping area. You'll need to ride on the camp road for about a half a mile. You'll then take a hard right onto the actual trail.

The trail is gravel and packed earth. It's not as smooth as some of the larger trails we have biked on, but it' truly a path through the Pennsylvania mountains. Pens Creek, where some of the best fly fishing in the country happens in the Spring, meanders below the trail.

A special feature on this trail is the tunnel that was blasted right through the mountain. It has had extensive work done to it. The last time my husband had seen it, it was falling down and caved in. We met a man who was camping nearby who told us the renovation was a two million dollar operation. If you ride the trail, make sure you bring some kind of flashlight. The tunnel is not lighted and even though it's short, it gets pretty dark in there! Also make sure you talk or sing while inside it. The acoustics are great!

The trail would be just the right length for a hike. Since it was a pretty short bike ride, we explored a little bit and found another short trail where we rode until we got to a washed out bridged over Penns Creek. We also rode through the campsites to take a look around.

To round out the day, we drove the four miles to Poe Valley State Park, This is a bigger state park complete with a bathhouse, lake, picnic and camping areas as well as a concession stand. We took a short walk to the breast of the dam and had lunch at the concession stand, then headed home. It was a great day to get out into the woods, explore a new Rails to Trails (for us) and get a little fresh air and exercise.

If you go..

Take some sort of flash light

Use some bug spray

Take pictures

Talk and sing in the tunnel

Farmer's Table Dinner

It's February in the Northeast in 2015. Unless you live under a rock, you know it's been brutally cold and snowy this winter. This leads to a lot less traveling, unless you're going way down South...and we didn't this year (bummer, next year for sure). So instead, my friends and I decided to get together at home (a well heated home!) and do what's called a Farmer's Table dinner. Here's how it worked.

Each couple took part of the dinner (appetizer, entree or dessert), planned it, bought ingredients and took it to the dinner. We cooked each course there as we visited together and sipped our favorite beverage. It was nice for everyone. While you were cooking, everyone else got to relax and we all enjoyed each others company.

John, Suzanne and Bob relaxing and sipping beverages.

Deb and Todd did the appetizer, Suzanne and John did the entree and Bob and I planned dessert. Our dessert was a cobbler that you cook in a Mason Jar. We prepped the strawberries and blueberries by cutting it up and putting it in bags. The flour, sugar and salt was mixed together and put in a bag as well. We took the butter along to add later. Our actual prep and cooking at the dinner was easy.

First Suzanne and John served a pre-appetizer. They just got into salt block cooking. It was completely new to me. The pre appetizer of fruit, fresh basil and cheese was prepared and served on a chilled salt block. There were so many flavors. The salt block really brought them out.

Fruit cheese and fresh basil on the chilled salt block

Deb and Todd chose fondue. We had fresh vegetables and home made bread to dip into swiss and provalone cheese fondue. It was delicious.

Todd working on the fondue

Presentation is important!

Next came the main course, which started with home made mozzarella cheese. John set up his iPad and played the step-by-step video while he prepared it. Who knew that all you need to make this is cheese curds and warm water. Yum.

Home made mozzarella with some flavored oils and bread

Next was shrimp and scallops cooked on a heated salt block. It had to be heated to over 300 degrees on top of the stove. Then Suzanne just placed the seafood on the block and it cooked. Very tasty.

Italian John made homemade ravioli stuffed with cheese, herbs and spices. The dough was run through a pasta maker while we watched and then placed in a pasta mold, stuffed and covered with another layer of dough. It was topped with a Primavera sauce. So delicious!

John making very home made ravioli

While all that was going on, our mason jar cobblers were baking in the oven for an hour. We had mixed the fruit, topped that with flour, sugar and salt and topped it off with a pat of butter. They needed to cool for half an hour. We topped them with a little whipped cream and served. Everyone liked them. I was a little afraid no one would have room for dessert, but everything had been served in small portions so no worries!

Our mason jar cobbler before the oven....

and after

Our Farmer's Table dinner was a success and took our minds off the blizzard like weather, at least for a little while. It's always warm wherever there are good friends and good food!

Try a Farmer's Table dinner with your friends and family. Let me know how it went and what you had.


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Birthday Surprise in Reading, PA

It was the time to celebrate our friend John's 60th Birthday.  His wife planned a surprise trip to his hometown of Reading.  We made reservations at the historic Abraham Lincoln hotel for Saturday night. Bob and I and Deb and Todd headed to John and Suzanne's house on Saturday morning. All John knew was his wife had made plans for him and he was to take the dog to the kennel.  We pulled into the driveway just as he was getting back.

Toasting John on his 60th birthday weekend.

He was surprised, especially when we said we were there for one of his home cooked breakfasts! Instead we toasted his birthday with a mimosa.  After some time we hit the road.  It was slow-go until we hit York, then freezing rain turned to rain. The weather was not going to dampen our spirits!

We got to as far as Shillington in time for lunch. We went to one of John's favorite watering holes, California Bar and Grill.  There were 18 TVs for some serious sports watching.  They had great salads and sandwiches.  My hubby had a pulled pork that looked yummy.  The beer drinkers said the craft beers were tasty.

Bob in front of 4 of the 18 TVs in the Calfornia Bar and Grill

Next, John took us on a tour of his hometown.  He showed us all the houses he lived in while growing up, the park he used to play in and his favorite sled riding spot.  Then we headed to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel.  This is a 1930s era hotel that is restored to it's original glory.  The lobby was still decorated for Christmas and looked fabulous.  There was a small bar with wood accents, a restaurant for Sunday breakfast and a ballroom where it looked like they were setting up for a wedding reception.

Lobby of the Abraham Lincoln Hotel

We checked in to our rooms.  They were big and beautiful in a way that a modern motel could not come close to. John and Suzanne had a suite, so we hung out there and had cocktail hour. It would have been nice to walk around and explore the city, but the weather was not co-operating.  I want to go back on a warm, sunny day and see the city in a different light...so to speak.

Our big, comfy bed for the night.

The plan for dinner was unique.  We were going to the Victor Emmanuel II club.  This is not a restaurant, it's an Italian club.  You have to buy a membership to be able to go there, or be with a member to eat there. It's all Italian food.  Suzanne prepped us about what to expect.  "This is like eating in a gym. They want you in and out, no sitting and talking.  Don't waffle with the waitress, she'll yell at you.  If you want pizza, you have to order it all together." Ok so I wasn't really sure what to expect!

Patrons eating at the Victor Emmanuel II Club

The surprises continued.  John was not aware, but his mom and three kids (who live in Harrisburg, PA, Baltimore, MD and Kennet Square, PA) were going to meet us at the club.  It was necessary for us to stall.  By about 6, John was ready to go and our reservations were for 7.  We did it, and John was totally floored when they showed up while we were waiting for a table.

Suzanne at Viva

Ok, our waitress was gruff, but it's all an act to entertain.  We had a late reservation, so they didn't care if we sat and talked.  The food was to die for and it was so, so cheap.  I had chicken Parmesan and spaghetti.  Bob had rigatoni with meatballs.  And of course many at our table had spaghetti.  We had pizza and we followed directions, ordering it all together as an appetizer. If you live near Reading and know someone who is a member of this place, get them to recommend you for membership.  It's a little pricey, $10.00 per year. (That's a joke). To cap off the evening, we headed to Viva for drinks and watched the Steelers get trounced by the Ravens.  Bummer. At least John's kids from Baltimore were happy.

This place has everything kitchen!

Back to our hotel where we had a great night's sleep. The beds were big and so comfy. The next morning, we had a tasty breakfast in the hotel restaurant.  I had a veggie fritata. Then it was time to head home, but not before we stopped at the famous Reading China and Glass outlet.  If you want something kitchen related, you are bound to find it here.  They have everything.
So John, anytime you want us to help you celebrate a birthday, we are ready to go!

Holiday Fun Small Town Style

The day after Christmas, hubby Bob and I went small town and enjoyed, "Shining Light Through The Darkness" at Kish Park in Burnham, PA. This is a truly home grown event in my hometown.  It began as a project by a student and has grown every year to become a welcome holiday event in our area.

Kish Park is a local park complete with picnic tables, a campground, duck pond, a stream, a community theater and a walking path.  From early December to early January, this park becomes a lighted holiday wonderland.The event is hosted by Freedom Avenue United Methodist Church. Different businesses and non-profit organizations sponsor and set up lighted holiday displays throughout the park. Visitors use the walking trail to enjoy all the displays. If you are not able to walk, a golf cart ride is offered.  If you go on certain nights, you can get a horse drawn carriage ride around the park.

Santa welcomes you to the park!

Just a few years ago, this was the extent of this event.  This year, there was some sort of activity or entertainment planned for every evening except Christmas eve, Christmas night, New Year's eve and New Year's night. There have been a dog walk and dog picture day, kid's make it/take it crafts, children's story time, a Christmas service, Karaoke and lighting of luminaries along the walking path.

New LED display on the duck pond

Many different local entertainers have performed including Saints and Singers barbershop quartet, Tim and Duane show, Cassie Campbell with Carla Traxler, Unusual Suspects, Free for All, Chris Ruble, Country Gospel Revival, Brush Mountain Band, Grace Fala with Rhonda Sweigart, Miranda Shoop, Drew Zimmerman, Blue Grass Country Express, Dylan Crosson and Mike Bair.  The night we were there, we listened to Drew Zimmerman while sipping our hot chocolate.  He was good!

Penguins getting warm by the fire

This was a totally free event.  Volunteers do welcome any donations you can make when you are at the park. The donations are used for expansion and maintenance of this delightful little piece of hometown fun. They also welcome any volunteer help. Check out the Kish Park Shining Light website for more information.

Destination: State Theatre for "It's a Wonderful Life"

My all time absolute favorite Christmas movie is, "It's a Wonderful Life". I put the DVD in every year on Christmas Eve, then fight sleep the whole time I watch it.

So this year, I found out that the State Theatre in State College was showing it on the big screen.  I was very excited.  We were able to purchase the tickets online for only $5 per person.  We went to the 7 p.m. showing on December 23rd.

Hubby and I found out two friends of ours were going on the same night.  We made plans for dinner before the show.  We went to the Green Bowl.  It was the first trip for John and Suzanne.  They really liked it.  We had a nice relaxing dinner and then walked to the theater.

John, Suzanne and hubby Bob at the Green Bowl

We were all surprised to see that the theater was almost full.  John and Suzanne had gone two years before and said there were only about thirty people there.  It was so cool to see a movie I almost know by heart on the big screen for the first time.  It was also really eye opening to hear groups of people laughing at the funny parts of the movie.  We all said our favorite lines out loud! At the end, everyone clapped and cheered.

Waiting for the movie to start

If you are in the State College area next Christmas, Check out the State Theatre if you would love to see, "It's a Wonderful Life" the way it was meant to be seen. If it's your favorite Christmas movie too, here's some things you may not know about the movie.  Amaze your friends  :)

1. It was based on the short story, "The Greatest Gift" by Phillip Van Dorenstern.  He couldn't get it published so he made it into a Christmas greeting card and sent it to 200 people. A producer from RKO Pictures saw the card and bought the movie rights for $10,000.
2. It was Donna Reed's first starring role.
3. Beulah Rondi, who played George Bailey's mom had played Jimmy Stewart's mom in three previous movies.
4. Director Frank Capra, Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart all call, "It's a Wonderful Life" their favorite movie.
5. The copyright lapse from 1974 to 1994 (it made the movie free to anyone who wanted to show it) turned this box office bomb into an American movie classic.
6. Donna Reed really threw the rock through the old Granville house window in one take.
7. The high school kid who opens the gym floor to expose the swimming pool as a prank is played by Carl Switzer AKA Alfalfa from "The Little Rascals".
8. The film was shot in the summer of 1946 during a heat wave. Production was shut down for a day due to extreme temperatures.
9. Carolyn Grimes (AKA Zuzu) did not see the film until 1980, 34 years after it was made.
10. Myth Busted: The characters of Bert and Ernie have no link to the Sasame Street muppets.  Jim Hensen and Jon Stone (the producer of Sesame Street) just thought the muppets looked like a Bert and Ernie. 

What's your all time favorite Christmas movie? Share your comments!

Destination: Peter Mayer Stars and Promises Concert

Last week my friends and I started the holiday season off on a great note by attending Peter Mayer's "Starts and Promises" Christmas concert in Lancaster, PA. In case you are asking, "who is Peter Mayer?", we were introduced to his talents when we went to a Jimmy Buffet concert years ago.  Peter is part of the Choral Reefers band that backs Jimmy.

Peter Mayer plays lead guitar.

Don't expect "Christmas in the Carribean" when you see "Starts and Promises".  This is a totally different musical experience.  Peter is an accomplished guitarist and he tours with some pretty impressive musicians. There is Mark Holland, a native American flute player.  I counted 13 different types of flutes that he played while onstage. Alicia Enstrom plays violin and has played as the featured violinist for Cirque du Soleil. R. Scott Bryan can play just about any instrument you put in front of him and is oh so good as the group's percussionist.  Chris Walters plays a soulful piano. Zeb Briskovich played great stand up bass.  Peter's son, Brendan is a talented guitarist and vocalist in his own right who has begun touring with his father in recent years.

The music in this concert is eclectic, inspirational and uplifting.  There are influences from Peter's childhood in India, jazz and rock.  The concert is filled with Peter's original songs.  Two of my favorites are "Junk Man's Christmas" and Peter's version of "Go Tell it on the Mountain".

We were about two rows back.

The concert was held at Highland Presbyterian Church.  This was a small venue, so there was no bad seat in the house. The music was a celebration of the joy of the season and we all felt a part of the celebration.  Several times during the concert, we were asked to join in the song. What fun!

Last Spring, we came to the church to see Peter's Easter concert.  My friend, John White won an Australian guitar that Peter raffled off for the church.  He decided to donate it back to the church so it could be re-raffled.  He's hoping it will become a little like those traveling pants in the book.  He's excited to see where the guitar goes next and what it's story will be.

John White and the now famous Aussie guitar.

Peter and his band are touring the country in the next few weeks before Christmas.  Take a look at his tour dates.  Maybe you will be able to enjoy this wonderful slice of Christmas for yourself!

How to Switch Your Family Vacation Destination And Love It

TV room in our South Bethany Beach House

This past summer, my family reluctantly switched our vacation from Sunset Beach, NC to Bethany Beach, DE.  We always thought we would have to end our time in Sunset Beach when my mom and dad became too elderly to travel.  Not so!  They are in their early 80s and are healthy.  They love our vacation.  Turns out our adult children needed the change to somewhere closer to home. They all could make it for at least a few days around their jobs and various places they now call home.  Who knew.

Our bright and cheery bedroom!

Our last beach experience in Delaware was a week in a townhouse at Rehoboth Beach.  We weren't up for that after our great two weeks at Sunset.  Also, none of us were relishing the COLD water of a Northeast Beach in June. We kind of resigned ourselves to the fact that it wouldn't be as good of a gig as Sunset, but we would all be together and that would be what would be important.  Well, guess what?  We were wrong!

Beautiful beach, lots of space :)

My sister went looking for a place that might be comparable to our Southern experience and she found it in South Bethany Beach.  She worked with Sandcastle Realty.  She described the type of beach experience we were looking for.  They found us a sweet little beach house. It was big enough for our whole clan (15 people). It also had a lot of little "hideaway" places on patios and smaller rooms so if you wanted to be by yourself, you could do it.  It had a large sun room where we all hung out together, laughed, played games and read.

Me, with my rented bike in Bethany Beach

The beach was beautiful, with plenty of room between families. There were lifeguards up and down the beach, which made us all feel safe. The water was not too cold to get in (although on the windier days I opted to stay dry). The best part for me was Highway 1.  There was a bike path that ran up and down the road on both sides.  Hubby and I rented bikes and rode every day. We could ride to Bethany Beach and get breakfast or ride South and take in the old fashioned light house North of Ocean City.
We were also very close to Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City Maryland so we visited those boardwalks too.

Bike ride to the lighthouse.

I almost hate to admit it because I absolutely loved Sunset Beach, NC,  but I think I might like this vacation spot a little better.  What a pleasant surprise!

Where is your favorite beach vacation?  Please share it!

A Break From Winter in Key West Part 3

DAY FIVE

Sunday called for brunch, so we headed back to Stock Island for Pizza and Prusecco. Roostica is a fairly new restaurant. I would have to say it's a great addition to the islands. There were a variety of breakfast pizzas, yummy veggies and even a chocolate pizza for dessert. It went well with the cranberry mimosas that were served. It was great to be able to sit outside in the morning and listen to live jazz while eating breakfast.

Of course we spent the afternoon lounging by the pool. Another couple flew in from our area that day. They were so glad to be with us as the temps at home were in the single digits all week. Brrr!

The event of the evening was the sunset cruise we had all booked together. We boarded the boat, had some beverages, some food and some dancing. Unfortunately it was overcast so no sunset :( but on the way back to the harbor, the sky cleared and we got to see a beautiful moon rise over the island.

The food on the boat was a little scant so we decided to go truly tourist and spend some time at the original Margaritaville Cafe. Southern Drawl was playing live and as luck would have it, they were making a video, so guess who can be seen dancing through it in a conga line? Yes, it was our goofy crew.

DAY SIX

Although all our friends were staying for longer periods, Bob and I were heading home on this day. Mary Ann and Scott said we couldn't leave before having breakfast at Blue Heaven. We actually got to dine in a beautiful outdoor garden, complete with Key West wild chickens clucking and strutting under the tables. They served some tasty omelets and eggs Benedict here. After breakfast there was just enough time for goodbye hugs and pictures at Mile Marker 0 before catching the shuttle to the airport.

This was truly one of my favorite trips. When I think about it, the reasons are everyone could enjoy their time in the Keys in their own way and on their own schedule, the weather was beautiful and it provided a much needed break from Winter and we got to share a lot of new enjoyable experiences with some great friends!

Have you been to Key West?  If so, what were your favorites?

A Break From Winter in Key West Part 2

DAY THREE

Friday was an "on your own" day for us because we weren't signed up for any events. We ate breakfast at the hotel beach cafe and then took the Olde Town Trolley for a sightseeing tour of the island. When we returned, we had lunch at a tiny little Cuban Cafe. The rest of the day was pool and sun time.

That evening, Todd found a place on Duval Street called the Smokin' Tuna. We listened to Scott Kirby, who can be heard on Radio Margaritaville. No cover and the food was good too. We met one of Bob's One on One Fitness buddies and her husband. They had just arrived and flew out of a snowstorm to get there. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the Cork and Stogie. Mary Ann and Scott know the owners. We spent about an hour just sitting on the front porch steps watching the characters on Duval Street. I love to people watch so this was a highlight for me.

DAY FOUR

Saturday was a big Wine and Food Fest Day. Bob and I worked out in the hotel gym in the morning and went to the little cafe across the street for a light breakfast. After a short rest, we boarded the trolley for a trip to Stock Island. This is where the "working folks" live away from the tourist area of Duval Street. We went to The Hogfish Bar and Grill for a shrimp boil. On the way in you could get white or red wine. It was a little better quality wine then at some of our previous stops.  "Barry Cuda" and his band entertained while we enjoyed our lunch.

The appetizer was coconut shrimp, one of my favs. The main course was a bowl full of boiled shrimp, Key West Lobster, potatoes and cornbread. I was a little apprehensive at first. The shrimp came, legs, heads, eyeballs and all and they smelled, well, fishy. The meal was already paid for so I dug in and hoped for the best. It's good I did because the shrimp were delicious and probably about as fresh as you could get. There were shrimp boats parked in the harbor right behind the restaurant. They say most people either prefer Maine Lobster or Key West Lobster. I prefer Maine, although Key West wasn't bad.

After lunch we pitted the wine pourers against each other in a facebook battle over who could give one of us the tallest refill. That made our table pretty festive until the trolley came back for us!

Another short rest by the pool was in order before we headed for the Duval Uncorked event. This featured 46 businesses on Duval Street. Each offered a wine and food taste. This was about two hours of walking, eating and drinking. Some highlights were Leather Masters (no more description here, this is a G rated blog!) a Western bar with a mechanical bull and a boutique that offered a sample hand washing with Secret of the Islands salt scrub. I'm going to order some of that soon for nice soft hands.

Duval Uncorked wrapped up around 8 p.m. We walked back to our hotel with Scott and MaryAnn but it was way too early for us to call it a night, so we met Deb and Todd at the Smokin' Tuna for some more live music.


Part 3 to come soon......

A Break from Winter in Key West

From January 23 to 28, my hubby, some friends and I took a break from the cold Northeast and headed to Key West for some warm weather, good food and good wine at the Key West Wine and Food Fest 2013.

DAY ONE

One nice thing about this trip is that we all made different travel arrangements so that we could come and go as our schedules allowed. Bob and I decided to fly to Miami and drive the famous Highway One to Key West. What a great way to start our winter escape! We touched down in Miami, picked up our Chrysler 200, rolled down the windows (aahh, what a treat in January for a Centra PA native) and headed down US 1 for an adventure.

Bob got me a CD for Christmas called, "Florida Keys Road Trip". It told the story of the Florida Keys as we drove. What a great way to start our trip; with some "us" time before we met our friends. At one o'clock, we stopped in Marathon to eat at Fish Tails, a sweet little diner with the best Wahoo you ever tasted. We also tried conch (pronounced conk, like a conk on the head) chowder for the first time. Yum.

Not long after lunch, we started getting texts from our friends who had flown straight to Key West. They were anxious for us to get there because they were already knee deep in the party! At about 3:30 we pulled into the parking lot of the Southernmost Hotel. We checked in and found Deb, Todd, Scott and Mary Ann at Wine School. We changed into our swimming suits and joined the fun of live music, sunscreen and mohitos by the pool.

Mary Ann and Scott have been to Key West many times. This was our first time and they were excited to share some of their favorite restaurants and bars with us. When the sun set we headed to Cafe Sole to try some raw conch. I had some blackened grouper that was to die for. Scott suggested the hog fish (it's kind of like snapper) that Bob really liked. We also shared some really good white wine. Key lime pie topped off the meal.

The next day we needed to walk off that dinner so we walked all over the island of Key West. It was a beautiful day to walk and see the sights.  Naturally after all that walking we were hungry.  So we walked into Camille's for a tasty breakfast of omelettes and Cuban toast.

It was pool and sun time for the afternoon, then the Key West Food and Wine Festival began with the Flip Flop Beach Party.  We tasted a variety of wines and foods while the sun set over the water. What a gorgeous day.  You just haven't seen the most beautiful sunset until you have seen it set in Key West. When it slipped into the sea, we all applauded.  What a show!

Our evening fun was the Mallory Square stroll.  We visited about seven different restaurants where we sampled food and wine at each.  It gave us a chance to experience places to dine that we would not have visited otherwise. It was a warm and breezy evening, a thoroughly enjoyable time to be near the harbor with good food, good drink and good friends.

Stay Tuned for Part 2....


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