Kudos to Pennsylvania State Parks

Just an appreciative nod in the direction of our state park system. On October 16, they were awarded the prestigious "National Gold Medal Award" (which is like the state parks version of one of those movie awards that all the directors strive for, and which I ignore so thorougly that I don't even know their names...Oscars? Tonies? Cannes? Sundances?)

The goal of the PA DCNR was to put a state park within 35 miles of every resident. Of course, that includes urban parks, like the uber-cool Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. But it also includes such woodland gems as Chapman, Elk, and Parker Dam. Where do you stop in listing all the fantastic state parks? Raccoon Creek, Oil Creek, Ohiopyle.... (Sorry if I don't say Kinzua Bridge, but I wish they would develop some trails there.) Clear Creek State Park is one of my favorites, with its miles of beautifully maintained trails passing through hilly forests, its CCC architecture, and its cold little beach, pictured here. (As always, click on the image for a better view.) Check out this link to read about the award.

Occasionally Pittsburgh will win the name "most livable city" for a given year, and each time it happens, the world stands amazed. "Pittsburgh? Really? Not Phoenix or Seattle?" I have a friend out west who maintains the illusion that Pennsylvania is all strip mines and rusting factories (more about that in a future article). Now, I don't mean to sound "jingoistic" or anything, but this is what I love about the unglamorous places on the backside of the Eastern seaboard, places like rural Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York State: The quality of life is unparalleled; it's inexpensive, and the larger world isn't forever encroaching, crowding in, trying to claim its part. We live quietly and well. These awards and moments of recognition are nice every once in a while, but in the end, the nation at large will go back to overlooking us, and our way of life can continue undisturbed.