Eastern Bluebird

The winter months in Pennsylvania can bring a joy to us all.  There are the snow covered mountains, icicles dangling from tree branches and icebergs floating down the rivers.  For some, a few months of this is more than enough and your mind begins to have “warmer” thoughts.  As the winter thaw has begun and spring is here to celebrate, you might consider the blue in your backyard, bluebirds!

The eastern bluebird is native to Pennsylvania but has the challenge of surviving among some non-native species.  This is where you can get involved and have the joy of watching these birds thrive in your own backyard. Continue reading →

bark of mature ash tree

The ash trees in our state of Pennsylvania are under attack!  The villain is discreet but extremely effective.  Millions of ash trees have been killed to date and chances are all true ashes will have perished when it is said and done.  The worst part may be that you never saw it coming.  In fact, if the trees in your own backyard have not been affected, you might not of even known it was happening.  But rest assured, the ash trees as we know them are dying and there is not much you can do to stop it. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is the ash tree killer that was first discovered in the United States in the summer of 2002 in Michigan.  These super creeps were most likely doing damage a decade before their discovery.  Native to Asia, there is no native or natural predator here in the states that can stop the pest.  Pennsylvania confirmed the presence of EAB in the western part of the state in 2007.  The pest is swiftly and successfully destroying our ash in more than half of the 67 counties in PA to date. Continue reading →

Take advantage of the snow this winter as it provides a unique experience in your backyard.  On a recent hike through Wagner Park in Wheatfield Township, along the Little Juniata Creek, young beech and hemlock tree tops had reached to the forest floor from the weight of the recent snow.  The park offers a rail trail along the creek and a loop trail both of which have mile markers along the way.  See trail map at block building before heading into the woods.

Paul and Vanessa at Hawk Rock

Christmas is a time for celebrating life.  A time for family, friends, and loved ones to connect with one another.  This celebration comes just once a calendar year.  Celebrating with the people you care the most about can bring memories that will last a lifetime.  Memories that you can relive every day that follows.  They are the kind of memories that a grandfather tells to his grandchildren.  The kind of experiences you write about in your journal, Christmas cards or even, in this day, your social media page.  These memories are sometimes captured by a photo but more often than not an experience that escapes the camera and can only truly be remembered with a look into the eyes of the person you were with at the time.  The eye contact you make with that special person can take you right back to the place you were in the story that you are reminiscing about.  Sharing these experiences with others can be as gratifying as the time you have lived.  These special moments can be found sitting around a fireplace or on the top of a mountain in the vast wilderness. Wherever you find your happiness be sure to share it with the ones in your life that mean the most to you and beyond.

Some of my most memorable moments have been found outdoors on a trail, on the water, or deep in the forest where you can feel like you are the only person to ever find this special place.  These moments are sometimes experienced alone and may be a once in a lifetime occasion.  It is still a story worthy of sharing but the times you have experienced with others are without a doubt the most celebrated ones. Continue reading →