Lovin' The Weekend

Ann Marie and I just returned from visiting the family on the far side of the state. It was a birthday party which initially drew us there but the biggest draw was to visit with the grand-kids! With our bags packed, we left early Friday morning. We had a few brief glimpses of the sun and from then on, clouds accompanied us.

    A bit before New Alexandria we got our first views of the Laurel Highlands. Looking a lot like a painting, there were banks of different colored mists which gave depths to the valleys and hills ahead. We always look forward to this section of rt.22!

    We stopped in Blairsville for breakfast and more coffee. Dean’s Diner provides a reliable meal and it’s always fun to “eavesdrop” on the regulars as they converse with the women behind the counter. With our appetites satiated, we continued on.

    We had plans of searching for a new (to us) iron furnace on the far side of the Susquehanna River. On the way, we attempted to re-visit another iron furnace (The Etna Furnace) after we passed through Holidaysburg. After driving down a bumpy road, we were stopped by a newly fallen tree crossing the road, about a half mile from the furnace. We opted to turn around and continue on. We had been there before and I’m sure, we’ll be back!

    In the state capital, Harrisburg, we ate lunch in a diner overlooking the river, not far from the Rockville RR Bridge. Then it was time to start our search for the Swatara Iron Furnace. I had written down the various roads to take and I’m happy to say, “we” only made one wrong turn. (I like to say, “What’s an adventure without getting lost once or twice?”) Shortly afterwards, we rounded a corner and there the furnace sat.

    The furnace was built in 1830 out of limestone. It was the first iron furnace built in Schuylkill County. It operated for about 20-30 years. (Depending on what you read) After the furnace went out of blast, the owners converted it into a forge. It looks very different today as compared to what it looked like when it was producing iron. The area around it was filled with sheds, buildings and workers. Smoke and noise filled the valley. Today it sits in a quiet valley with a small stream flowing by.

    The furnace is falling apart and there are numerous wedges that were pounded into the wall to help control natures destructive forces. A few years ago, the county took down some trees to help preserve the furnace but there are still lots of things growing out of the walls. The roots push the cold stacked stones apart over time.

    There are numerous historical sites in this area, no doubt we’ll be back to find some more of them!

    This area has numerous Appalachian Trail crossings so we stopped at a couple of them to do some short, (real short) hikes. I had done some hiking on the AT, including crossing this bridge, 10-15 years ago. (Those were the days!)

    Our next stop and the one we were looking forward to most, was at Chelsey and Jaime’s house. Mateo and Nico were both happy to see us and we basically ignored their parents as we played with the boys.

    It’s tough living so far away from them, but it also makes these visits together so much more exciting!

    Nico is always smiling and happy to play. His brother never lacks for something to do. He read me a couple of his books, turning the book so that I could see the pictures and then we did some mazes. The time flies when we are there!

    The next day was party time. The house was filled with relatives and friends. Children were running underfoot and conversations were bouncing off the walls. Boxes of pizza and dishes of dips and snacks kept calling our names.

    As evening advanced, Ann Marie and I said our good-byes and let the party continue without us. We’d be back in the morning!

    We returned after a good night's sleep and played with the boys for a while before we left for Pittsburgh. The house was filled with people busy taking orders for breakfast (brunch?) as we left. All we needed was a bit more coffee to fuel us on our way, that and a little more loving from the two nicest boys I know.

    Like all trips, the way back home was anti-climatic. We discussed the things we had done and seen, almost all of them dealing with the boys. We were sad to go but glad we came. It would’ve taken a lot to keep us away!

    We did our normal stop at Dietrich’s Meats in Krumsville to stock up with some PA. Dutch meats and then re-visited a lime kiln a few miles down the road, just to see how it’s surviving. We visited one of our favorite bookstores in Harrisburg, The Mid-Town Scholar, where I picked up an old Canadian Dictionary. (Eh, this should be interesting reading, fer sure!) Back on the roads with cars all around, we outran a strong storm. After that, it was clear sailing for the rest of the ride. We got back home around 7, ready for a good night’s sleep in our own beds.

    All in all, it could not have been a better trip. A little bit of adventure and a whole lot of love!