Just going to take a quick minute here to let you know that we will be Fridays-less next week. No, I am NOT cancelling the actual day (heaven forbid) but I will be off-line beginning Monday. Yes, Bill and I are heading south for a break. I'll be working while we are gone but next week will be about being on the road and then at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Georgia for a couple of nights. Am told there is NO INTERNET there. 

We should be back in civilization the following week and back to something like normal.

Stay tuned then - or very soon after - for information on this year's Awards. The banquet once more takes place at Little Buffalo State Park, on May 13.

Until we meet again, rainbows and sunshine to you and yours!

Here's an inspiring series of photos to ponder. Shared by Mark Ott (who always remembers to clue us in on the Bald Eagle Punkin Chunkin event) - well, I'll just let Mark tell the tale!

"Howard, Pine Glen and Curwensville Fire Companies had Ice Rescue training at the Howard Fire Co. and Bald Eagle State Park [last] weekend. Both Howard and Pine Glen companies are part of the Centre County VRSR (Volunteer Rescue Service Recognition) Swiftwater rescue team, along with Pleasant Gap and Milesburg Fire Companies. This was training for new team members. Being VRSR qualifies us to be deployed anywhere in PA as well as out of state, both by our own vehicle transport and via the HART (Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team) chopper.

I may be crazy at 68, going on 69, but I do love suiting up and being a bobbing ice cube in a hole in the ice! An amazing experience to say the least.

We had excellent ice conditions for this class this year with good solid ice as well as thin and “rotten” ice on the other side of the road at the “sunken road cut” in the park."

The first shot is of the students and instructors getting ready to go, then two of a "self saving” exercise. 

Mark points out:

"There is a 1-10-1 rule in ice rescue. 1 minute for victim to get their breath after falling through the ice, 10 minutes before they lose mobility, 1 hour before they are pretty well done for. You have to be very lucky to be rescued after a fall through the ice."

Phew.

On a brighter note, Mark also knows how my mind works so he sent along this lovely shot below of the Sayers dam with Bald Eagle Mountain in the background knowing I would love to challenge you by making it a jigsaw puzzle!

Thank you, Mark, for the great information and photos. 

Two weeks worth of Looking Ahead for ya this time, beginning with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time and off into Pi Day weekend. Vosburg Neck got the memo! 

A reminder, don't forget to bookmark our online calendar and DCNR's calendar of events so you don't miss a thing.

As is traditional, blue boxes are photos and news; bright green are events. 

In addition to being Washington's Actual Birthday, tomorrow is Walking the Dog Day. 

But then again, isn't EVERY day ...

Quote: Unknown. Just true.
Photo: Where's Wally Now? (follow them if you don't already), Lackawanna State Park