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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests

Flying Free - Ohiopyle State Park
Photo by Friends of Ohiopyle

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, the story of the end of autumn can be succinctly told by these two views of the Prince Gallitzin State Park lakeshore, photographed a week apart.

And speaking of stories succintly told, the masthead documents the long-term need for a new playground at Ohiopyle State Park. The Friends of Ohiopyle have been working long and hard to get a new playground into the Kentuck Campground and hadn't even left the job site when it was already being used. (Love the video of these hard-working volunteers getting THEIR turn on the equipment!)

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation

News of Note

Speaking of hard-working Friends and gigantic projects, hearty congratulations to the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace for installation of this pre-fab bridge over Mountain Creek, making complete the connection between the Koppenhaver and Mountain Creek Trails and linking the Fuller and Laurel Lake sections of the park. It will keep walkers off the paved road and along the beautiful stream.

And once again you have a chance to enjoy a little video in addition to the still - placement of the bridge on a very wet October day. The rain, it is plain, falls mainly on the crane.

My good friend Kate in Ireland shared a link this week that literally made me say, "What? How did I not know this?" and I imagine all you well-informed readers will say the same thing. "Pam, how could you now know this?" Nevertheless, the International Appalachian Trail? That's a thing? Yes, basically finish up at Mount Katahdin in Maine and just keep on going! And the next thing you know you're in Morocco!

The motivating factor behind it is, to quote the website, geology: "Geology is the heart of the International Appalachian Trail. The idea for the IAT is based on the fact that the mountains of Eastern North America, the British Isles and Western Europe and North Africa had a common origin around 400 million years ago on the super-continent Pangea."

Next week's "lunch and learn" shifts a bit with a later time but a really fun opportunity. Justin Hoyle, trained Bob Ross painter, will guide you in a painting lesson at 6:00 PM on 11/11. Pop in to our Facebook page or YouTube channel and try something new!

Pictures of the Week

A little taste of talent in a realm other than photography from Brian Ford on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail page. I think this will make an interesting and challenging jigsaw puzzle of the week!

Doug Clifford paid a visit to some smaller parks this week. Here's a nice glimpse of Sand Bridge State Park.

Thomas and Ruth Rodgers paid a visit to Poe Valley State Park last month and captured this view of lake grasses. Makes you wonder who's in there, doesn't it?

The good folks of Moraine State Park have prepared an entire Autumn of 2020 photo album on their Facebook page. This shot by Dan Gomola is among them.

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

Maybe a little bit of warmth still left in the late autumn sunshine. Let's get moving!

REGION	PLACE	DATE	TIME	EVENT
North	Tiadaghton State Forest	11/7/2020	7:00 PM	Mountaintop Stargazing
South	Cowans Gap State Park	11/7/2020	2:00 PM	Falls Colors Hike
East	Ridley Creek State Park	11/7/2020	10:00 AM	National Hug a Bear Day
West	Erie Bluff State Park	11/8/2020	9:00 AM	Fall Hike

First Day Hikes

Thoughts are beginning to turn to New Year's Day and First Day Hikes. One of the most popular events of the year, no one wants to see it lost to the pandemic. SO planning is underway to keep groups small - which means that more hike leaders will be needed in order to offer more hikes to smaller groups of people.

If you have a favorite hike in a favorite park or forest, consider giving the office a call to find out if you might be able to lend a hiking boot.

One specific park looking for volunteers is Prince Gallitzin State Park. Contact educator Tony DeSantis if you can help at antdesanti@pa.gov or 814-674-1000.

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 pedal).

Take Five for Trivia

I hope you were able to tune into yesterday's Lunch & Learn on mushrooms. Regardless, readers of the PA Department of Agriculture website (including myself) would be astounded to learn that there are over 200,000 different species of mushrooms "in this region of the country."

Congratulations to our October trivia winner, Shannon of Nanticoke.

To kick off the November fun, a playground gives a child more than just a chance to swing or climb on a jungle gym. Name at least two other benefits of play. (And they pertain to us supposed grown-ups as well.)

Send your answer to me and I'll enter you into the month's random drawing for a goodie from the prize closet if you answer correctly. Enter each week for more chances to win.

Where Are We?

Places boxed in red are from photos and calendar listings. Click it to see it bigger.

In Closing

SUPPORT PPFF

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.

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