Out and About with Tom and Huck - Rambling Around with the Irwins         by Alice Irwin

July 4th Journey Part 3 - Through PA's Grand Canyon and Beyond        Return to Tom & Huck Page

August 16th, 2001 Edition of the Sun and Record

PA Gazetteer Pages 35 and 49

Continuing our Pine Creek bike adventure on the floor of PA’s Grand Canyon, we stopped to explore Little Four Mile Run Waterfalls at Leonard Harrison State Park.  Flights and flights of stairs loomed ahead of us, scaling the steep mountainside.  With our not-having-been-on-a-bicycle-for-15-years legs, we decided to rest beside the lower falls and save the trip up the stairs for another time.    There were three State maintained rest stops along the 19 mile bike path with picnic areas, restroom facilities, and water pumps; each provided an opportunity to munch on our stash of peanuts and pistachios and revel in the canyon’s peace and quiet. PA hosts a thriving population of eagles and our trail map from Pine Creek Outfitters noted a location that provided a view of a Bald Eagle’s nest. There were a couple of bikes parked at the top of a very steep scramble down the riverbank leading to the viewing site.  I decided that it was probably wiser for me not to risk tearing up my tendons (again) attempting the descent down the cliff.  Sometimes I actually make the right choice! 

We finally coasted into the parking area at Rattlesnake Rocks, 4 miles south of Blackwell about 10 minutes before the outfitter was scheduled to arrive for our return transport.  It was one of the best adventures that we’ve shared; I had forgotten how much I loved bicycling, especially where there are no motor vehicles threatening.  We would go bike shopping upon our return home.

We spent the rest of the afternoon seeing some more of the countryside.   Traveling west from Ansonia on Route 6, we stopped at the Call of the North Gift Shop in Gaines.  They have a colossal selection of gifts, crafts and hand-made furniture.  We found an Opinel folding kitchen knife for our “traveling food box”, and a perfect animal print t-shirt for our friend and in-home petsitter Sue, of Sue’s Creature Comforts in Sodus, that so lovingly cares for “The Girls” while we’re traveling.  Sue is so good with animals that she even gets Sarah Me-Jowiee to come out from behind the washing machine!

 Continuing north on route 349 our destination was Westfield, home of Ackley & Son, advertised as the largest sporting goods store on the East Coast.  Sure. In Westfield PA?? This place was like walking into a Cabela’s catalog, only better.  Hunting, Fishing, Camping, and Archery supplies, more camo clothing than I’ve ever seen.  Their incredible selection of firearms was reminiscent of Creekside Gun Shop. This store is a “must visit”!

 After dinner that evening back in Wellsboro, we stopped in at the Penn Wells Hotel.  It’s a grand building, erected in 1926.  Wellsboro’s first tavern / inn was built on the site in 1816 and the site has been occupied by a tavern or hotel ever since.  They have an elegant dining room, and have guestrooms that we plan to check out on our next visit.   We found another friendly bunch in their tavern; when we arrived we were the only patrons and the bartender was watching “Animal Planet”...one of our favorites.  One by one, as folks arrived everyone got involved in the fun TV program and we had a great time chatting sharing animal stories.  There’s no such thing as a “stranger” when we’re traveling!  We even ran into the neat couple that shared our van ride back from the bike trip...small world!

 Next morning started early, with our walking tour of Wellsboro.   The Chamber of Commerce provides a self-guided map of over 20 historic homes and buildings dating from the early 1800’s.  The tour starts in the middle of the town square at a fountain with a statue of Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. It was given to the city in 1938 by Fred Bailey in loving memory of his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Cameron of Wellsboro.   There’s a brass plaque bearing the sweet nursery rhyme, most of which I had long forgotten.  There are several other markers on The Green honoring local personages; the Veterans’ memorial touched us most.   An engraved granite obelisk was surrounded by flags; there’s a flag for each of the wars and conflicts that our US soldiers have served in.  Sadly, there is space left for more.

 An excursion to Little Pine State Park was next.  The Native Bagel provided us with a picnic lunch.  What a great deli...too many choices of creative sandwiches prepared on homemade breads and bagels!  We each ordered 1/2 of their sandwich called “The Green”...layers of fresh spinach, tomato, cukes, carrots, green pepper, onion and sprouts.  Mine had ranch dressing on sunflower bread; Ethan selected cole slaw topping on whole wheat. These things were HUGE, and arrived with bagel chips and a big deli dill pickle. 

 Our trip to Little Pine took us south on route 287; our first stop was at the Oregon Hill Wine Company, a small family winery located in the cool stone basement of a former livestock barn.  The husband and wife team also operates a golf course across the street.

 SR 4001 at English Center (where I almost pocketed a tabby kitten that was already a Mom) follows Little Pine Creek’s valley to the park.  PA’s state parks don’t have an admission fee, but we discovered how they recover some funding.   An $18.00 permit is required to launch any boat for the season.  We decided to go for a hike instead.  The Lake Shore Trail was a 5-mile loop beginning on top of the dam that formed the lake, then cut across the hillside through the woods high above the lake.  A sprinkling of rain never made it through the lush leafy canopy.  Our trail descended into the valley and for all the world it was like being in the valley in the movie Jurassic Park when the dinosaurs came thundering across the grassy plain.  Great weeds resembling Queen Anne’s lace on steroids towered over our heads.  We finally came back out to the road, with one small problem...the bridge over the creek indicated on the trail map didn’t exist.   Rather than spend the rest of the day in soggy blue jeans, the only logical choice was to take them off for our stream crossing.  The water was cold, but felt really good on our tired feet.  After another mile back to the park, those sandwiches and some ice water sure were a treat!

 We plan to return to northern PA, next time with our new bikes...I now have a Trek Navigator 400 and Ethan has a Trek 7500!