By Bruce A. Love
With limited budgets and soaring fuel prices, vacation plans for many people have had to be scaled back considerably this summer. That’s OK, because central Pennsylvania has lots of fun and interesting things nearby to see and do. If it’s been a while since you visited our local treasures, this may be a great opportunity for you to treat yourself to a “staycation.”
Staycations are vacations spent close to home. In the past, you or your kids may have been pitied or put down for not taking a “real vacation,” but with limited disposable incomes and outrageous fuel prices, you will probably notice more of your neighbors opting to take similar vacations this year. Staycations are economical, and will probably become a fashionable environmental statement as “global warming” advocates jet all over the world condemning others for consuming large quantities of fossil fuels,
We’re fortunate to live in a region that has so much to offer. Pennsylvania is the fifth most visited state in the United States. It’s easy to understand why. The Commonwealth is rich in history, and has more than 54,000 miles of rivers and streams, nearly 120 state parks, and 20 state forests. I have always enjoyed hiking, fishing, and camping. Most people in this region already have favorite spots to visit for outdoor recreation, but if you are looking for some new ideas, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks, and checkout all the uniquely beautiful and fun state parks in Pennsylvania.
I have had the pleasure of living in Blair County for more than 7 years now, and have visited some of this region’s treasures. I’ve enjoyed visits to Horseshoe Curve, Lake Gallitzin, Raystown Lake, and the sites in my new home town of Roaring Spring. Canoe Creek State Park is another local get-away with a wide range of activities that include boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, a wonderful nature center, and limekiln ruins. Shaver's Creek Environmental Center (a Penn State affiliated center in Petersburg, PA) sits on 7,000 acres and provides a mix of educational and recreational opportunities including classes, bird and animal shows, and tebambuilding programs. If caving is your thing, or you are looking for creative ways to avoid hot summer days, tour some of the local caves for a refreshing afternoon. Visit www.goodearthgraphics.com/showcave/pa.html for descriptions, costs, and directions.
I have heard that the tours at the Hershey Chocolate factory in central PA are nothing like they were when I was a kid, but don’t worry: Gardner’s Candy factory offers delicious tours locally in Tyron. I am putting that on my must-do list, along with trips to Old Bedford Village, Falling Water, and the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona. If you have other staycation suggestions share them with us at blog.loveconsulting.com.
Visit the “Visit PA” Web site for more ideas for local places of interest. This Web site is huge and is organized in categories such as Heritage and History, Arts and Entertainment; Nature and Outdoors; Regional Roadtrips; and other useful topics..
Staycations enable you to enjoy and support our local treasures, create a much smaller carbon footprint, and save money in the process!
