The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace write, "In celebration of National Public Lands Day [and Healthy Lands Week], 8 hardy volunteers removed an astonishing amount of mile-a-minute, privet, stiltgrass and woody debris from the corner of the 'furnace bank”' hillside between the old furnace stack and AT Museum. Park maintenance staff then hauled it all away — two full dumptruck loads! We saw a milksnake and a praying mantis. It was drippy weather but the heavy rain held off until lunchtime. The rain didn’t stop us from grilling burgers & dogs, courtesy of the Friends."

Kudos and accolades to all of those hardy souls!

Over at McConnells Mill, the Heritage Festival seems to have stayed largely dry. North Country Trail Association's Wampum Chapter was on hand to "talk trail" and carve walking sticks. 

Hmmm, and everyone got to try their luck with the big wheel.

Meanwhile up at Beltzville, the Friends' Fall Fest had to largely move indoors to escape the weather. Visitors had a wonderful time and Newfies don't mind rain!

Not surprisingly, though, rock climbers DO mind the rain. As a result the High Rocks Trail Day sponsored by the Eastern PA Climbers was postponed until tomorrow. 

That and plenty of other opportunities to become involved are listed on the Healthy Lands Week website - not the least of which will be loads of opportunities on Sunday to enjoy a Walk in Penn's Woods. Let's all get out there and enjoy!

As I was putting the finishing touches on this week's email, we learned of the passing in July of this year of Jim Homerosky, shown here crossing the Salisbury Viaduct along the Great Allegheny Passage. Jim and his wife Wendy generously contributed the funds to construct a picnic pavilion along the GAP in Ohiopyle, a project yet to be completed unfortunately.

From his obituary, "He was most proud of having bicycled through 23 states and eleven countries. His bicycling interests led him to write three bicycling guidebooks: Road Biking Virginia, Road Biking Western Pennsylvania and Williamsburg Area Bike Rides. Jim enjoyed planning bike trips ... ranging from two hours to two weeks." 

Our sincere condolences to Wendy and the family. 

Last week I sent you off to follow the River of the Year (the North Branch of the Susquehanna) to where it joins the main stem of the big SusQ. And where is that? Indeed! Shikellamy State Park/Sunbury/Northumberland.

It would be nice to go on a nice long paddle of the river, wouldn't it? Our online store has a nice resource to help you do just that should be you be so inclined! The SRTA water trail guide takes you from Sunbury down to Harrisburg.

There's lots of neat stuff in the store, incidentally, from earrings to stickers to the bright orange "Wearable Checklist" bandana that always sells out. And don't forget the Pennsylvania State Parks & State Forests Passport!