Happy Friday, good people! I will spare you the saga of the Metzgers' return north last week. Suffice to say there are better ways to spend a journey than sitting in a seven mile traffic back-up on Interstate 77 in North Carolina with a lot of people from New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, New Hampshire ... Lovely folks, all, we are sure. However, one does get tired of staring at them for hours.

And although it snowed just about the entire length of West Virginia on Sunday, I am confident that spring is springing even though it has not quite sprung as of today.

This week's masthead is from the appropriately named Mike Glass, with water in the Pinchot State Forest that does indeed look like glass. Definitely click to the original and see that Caribbean blue water. 

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of Note

On a less encouraging front, the news on ticks is pretty grim. It's worth checking out our Get Outdoors PA lyme disease infographic/fact sheet for a refresher on dealing with them.

On a more encouraging front, the PPFF office is moving! We are relocating from Camp Hill to New Cumberland (518 Bridge Street to be precise) with the move to take place over the next few weeks. Keep an eye on our calendar for the move dates; if you are interested in helping to pack or unpack boxes, let me know!

At Work and Play in the State Parks and Forests

NORTH	SOUTH
Are you interested in bluebirds and learning more about the volunteer monitoring program at CHAPMAN STATE PARK? Take part in training on Saturday morning. No experience necessary!	Sunday provides an opportunity for a moderate hike of a mile or two at the JOSEPH IBBERSON CONSERVATION AREA near Harrisburg.
EAST	WEST
Take a break at SALT SPRINGS STATE PARK (and learn a little more of this unique gem managed by a friends group) on Saturday afternoon.	Love it! An adults-only Salamander Walk at YELLOW CREEK STATE PARK on Saturday afternoon will let you relive your childhood fondness for critter investigation.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Saturday marks the annual Spring Preserve Clean-Up at WHITE CLAY CREEK PRESERVE. Join the Friends of White Clay Creek for this trash clean-up and invasives removal blitz.

These and other fun events and fulfilling volunteer opportunities can be found on the PPFF events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events. Bookmark them and you'll never miss the boat (or hike or festival).

Picture of the Week

It's video time again. Watch as the last of the winter's ice flows over the dam at R.B. WINTER STATE PARK. A lovely sight (and sound).

Take Five for Trivia

My apologies that I did not get to respond to each correct answer on last week's question. There are a LOT of Loyalsock Trail fans out there and they've seen the yellow circle with red lettering guiding the way. The Alpine Club of Williamsport are the maintainers of the Loyalsock and they have posted (on a Book of Faces post that I can't seem to share):

ALPINE CLUB WORK HIKE on the LOYALSOCK TRAIL: Our first work hike is scheduled for Sunday April 7. We will meet at the parking lot on Dry Run Road where the trail crosses at 9:00 am. Volunteers can also meet at the Montoursville Walmart parking lot directly across from Wendy's and then go to the trail. Direct questions to Dave Dahl @ 570.916.6702 or by email.

Congratulations to Bellefonte Cecil, our March winner. A goodie from the prize closet will be winging its way to Centre County soon enough.

For our first April question, what is the name of that lake/dam at R.B. Winter now free of ice?

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct response into our monthly prize drawing. All correct answers each week will go into the hat and at the end of the month we'll draw one lucky winner. The more correct answers you submit in a month (up to four or the occasional five depending on the month), the more chances you'll have to win.

In closing

Today's a day to warm the cockles of MapMaker Metzger's heart. It's Read a Road Map Day. In these days of smartphone and GPS navigation systems, can you still read a map?

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a proud member of Earth Share and 1% for the Planet and is a Gold GuideStar participant.