Unexpectedly Bill and I spent Wednesday evening at Pier 6 Rooftop Bar in Erie overlooking Presque Isle State Park. We were the lucky participants in the launch of the New Trail Brewing Company's latest state park series creation, the Presque Isle Hazy IPA. It was simply delightful. We hadn't been to PISP in ages so took a little drive around the peninsula before heading home on Thursday. We stopped at the lighthouse and had a grand time chatting with the volunteers of Lake Erie Lights of PA (I bought a silent auction ticket or two and have my fingers crossed for a couple really special potential prizes). 

As we were leaving, a very kind gentleman wearing a DCNR Conservation Volunteers t-shirt stopped to make sure that we were okay getting Bill transferred from wheelchair back to car and that we knew about the accessible beach at Beach #8. We got to talking and he allowed that he is the "park photographer." 

"Wait a minute," said I. "What's your name?"

"Brian. Brian Berchtold."

"Oh, WOW! I use your photos all the time in my weekly email." 

And so again this week I do just that. This gorgeous photo of the red tailed hawk who has been seen to be hanging around the lighthouse recently. 

Beautiful photo (as always), charming man. In fact, we both noted that absolutely everyone we talked to in our whirlwind tour of Erie was just NICE.  We're looking forward to going back. In fact, one of the prizes I'm hoping for is a weekend getaway. Cross your fingers!

A Bonfire tee and sweatshirt campaign has been launched in support of PA Healthy Lands Week, coming up this Fall. Check out the "print to order" selections on offer and learn more with a click to the pic (or to HealthyLandsWeek.org). 

You'll be reading lots about HLW in the weeks ahead! Plan to be involved (September 24 through October 2).

Two themes here. Verticals and the sky!

This is a special bonus photo of the week - and serves as a shout-out to photographer David Seiple who posted it to that peskily private Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests page. He wrote:

"2.7 miles at Sobers Run JSP [Jacobsburg State Park/Environmental Education Center] today. Couldn’t have done it without my new rehab toy. Weak legs let me do 200 - 300 yards at a time, then I set the brakes and sit in the built- in chair until I’m ready for the next 200-300. It’s not speedy but I enjoy hours in the woods!"

From all of us at PPFF, here's a hearty "way to GO, David!" Same goes to all of you who go out there to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors whenever and however you can. 

You'll recall we wrapped up July asking where (or what) Whirls End might be. Many of you knew that Whirls End was once the name for Worlds End State Park. I'll quote directly from the park's page on DCNR's website because it's a great read:

"The name of the park has swirled with controversy. A map from 1872 called the area Worlds End. The excerpt below is from an article from July 20, 1935, by W.S. Swingler, Assistant District Forester of Wyoming State Forest, now Loyalsock State Forest.

'There was even a dispute as to the proper name of the area. Some people called it Worlds End, others Whirl’s Glen, and still others Whirls End. The first name arose from the topography of the place. Seven mountain ranges converge on the point and one does receive the sensation of being at the ultimate ends of the earth. The proponents of the second name base their claim upon the whirlpool in the Loyalsock Creek and the third name was probably a contraction of the other two. Since the whirlpool had largely disappeared, it was decided that the name Worlds End would be the most appropriate. Hence, the name Worlds End State Forest Park.'

During 1936, a letter campaign caused the park name to be changed to Whirls End. Another letter campaign forced the matter to be brought to the former State Geographic Board, who supervised the official naming of places. The name was changed back to Worlds End during 1943."

It amuses me that two successive letter-writing campaigns resulted in the name of the park. Passions run high in Sullivan County!

July's randomly selected winner is Bev K. of Palmyra.

To begin August, Healthy Lands Week will kick off on September 24th. Name two of the goals for this week long event that encompasses National Public Lands Day and A Walk in Penn's Woods.

Enter each week to increase your chances of a fabulous prize at the end of the month when I'll draw one entry from all correct answers received during the month.

Put a bookmark on the PPFF Events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events so you never miss an announcement.

Blue boxes locate events; green photographs and news.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SMOKEY BEAR!

"Smokey's Fan Mail," one of the iconic paintings of Smokey created by Rudy Wendelin of the US Forest Service.

We'll imagine he's reading a card of well wishes for his August 9th birthday.