Here's to something a little bit closer to normal. I am finishing this up on Thursday evening as the thunder rumbles through the Highlands. Word is there is a severe thunderstorm perhaps even tornado watch doing on? So I intended not to be long anyway as my Friday plan is make my way to Altoona to the VA rehab hospital and see Bill. He's been quarantined since arriving last week for COVID precautions so I'll be very happy indeed to see him. Thanks to all who sent good wishes our way - it'll be a long road back to strength after so much time in the hospital but he's a determined sort so we are keeping a good thought!

All I could say when I saw Tiim McCauley's photo from the John P. Saylor Trail in the Gallitzin is "Gallitzin rocks." And so do our Dear Readers!

Of course, as the heat of June builds to summer the heat at the Capitol will be focusing on the budget negotiations and, as promised, we are keeping our own brand of heat on for American Rescue Plan funding to come to conservation and recreation projects and the infrastructure projects on which we have focused for so long. 

Our current "Take Action" message centers on the historic opportunity we have right now to make improvements to the places that mean so much; look for the economic benefits our communities derive to inform our message early next week; and then we'll tie things up with a reminder to our legislators to remember the integrated benefits to the entire Commonwealth from a healthy environment as we wrap up the month. But don't delay! That you would sign on to each of these messages will show your elected officials just how serious you are.

PPFF Board member (and former representative herself) Kate Harper encouraged her former colleagues to think "legacy" with her opinion piece that appeared in both the Intelligencer and PennLive/ Harrisburg Patriot News. Let's all be like Kate!

Two (count 'em, two) musings by Christian Alexandersen - encouragement to Go Chasing Waterfalls on your next trail run and six Instagram-worthy views you might want to check out - have made their way to the blog

Don't wait for me to remind you - bookmark the News. You never know where Christian pops up next!

As you may know, the Foundation collects money for all sorts of things - initiatives that we manage, Friends groups and volunteer activities, parks and forests projects. Among the more interesting ones is the Worlds End Ultra, which took place on June 4th. The race organizers expect participants to either contribute volunteer time to help their fellow runners or make a contribution to PPFF to support the Loyalsock Trail and other public lands on which the runners race. 

I love this wonderful shot (which I understand is about mile 30 or 32 of the Ultra) of the spot where runners climb a waterfall-side ladder to continue. Making it into a jigsaw is a much more tame endeavor!

My goodness. Trivia was a long time ago. I THINK my last question had to do with sunscreen stations in our state parks. Find the stations at 33 state parks this summer, thanks to a partnership with the Department of Health. 

With Father's Day this Sunday - and our having not had a trivia question for the past couple of weeks - why not make this week's a two-fer? Ones you have heard many times before as well. Look at them as "gift entries" into this month's drawing!

If you please, name the Father of Pennsylvania's State Forests and the Father of Pennsylvania's State Parks.

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.

I do like to look ahead a few weeks in these listings to give you time to plan - this time of year planning is very important. Popular weekend programs fill fast as a matter of course; when registration is required, it is even wiser to be prepared.

So here already we are looking ahead to the Fourth of July! Goodness, I was JUST talking Memorial Day!

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.

JUNE 18th - TAKE IT OUTSIDE!