Summer
time of year
⇓
Montour Preserve Fossil Pit, Danville, PA. We found 1 fossil and a rock with an unusual center. There was a very loud, active gun range next door. Minus the gun range it’s very peaceful here with lots of bird song. We even saw an owl catch breakfast.
We walked to Bluebird trail (0.56 mile loop) and watched the sparrows feed above us. The environmental education center of Montour Preserve is like a mini museum, a good spot to bring your kids before heading outside for a walk in nature.
8
⇓
Hoverter & Sholl Box Huckleberry Natural Area, New Bloomfield, PA. A National Natural Landmark for the 1,300 year old colony of Box Huckleberry found along and inside a 0.4 mile loop. The smallest Natural Area in Pennsylvania, it’s administered as part of Tuscarora State Forest. I’m not a plant expert in any way but as a casual fan I would never, ever have guessed these ground covering plants would be so old. This variety of plant reproduces here via a large root system below the ground, meaning that each of the plants that appear to be individuals are actually clones, which spread at an average of 6 inches a year. Knowing the age of this plant and that this one single plant covers such a large portion of the ground in this natural area makes it a truly amazing sight. There’s no sign on the road to tell you where it is, but found at the following coordinates along Huckleberry Road: 40.403980, -77.174718.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoverter_and_Sholl_Box_Huckleberry_Natural_Area
8
⇓
High Rock, South Mountain State Park, Smithsburg, MD. Amazing views from a graffitied stone base. 0.2 mile trail takes you down to AT. We tried to get pictures of it without people but it didn’t work out for us. We walked down to another rocky overlook on the AT, also graffitied, which we had to ourselves. Click on the 2nd pic to get a better feel of the view.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/southmountain.aspx
6.8
⇓
Quiznos, Hagerstown, PA for dinner. I think it’s been 10 years since we last got food from a Quiznos. What were we thinking?? The inside smelled so good and the guy helping us was so pleasant. I got the veggie guacamole and Chris got the lobster scampi sub and they were both very tasty.
8
⇓
Country Inn & Suites, Hagerstown, MD. The internet is iffy.
Price: $115/night
6.8
⇓
Have a question or comment?