Chimney Rock View of the World

Hunter(my nephew) pretending to fall.

Chimney rock is known only to the few who have dared climb the mountain to stand on it. As you are driving south on 414 just about 1/3 of a mile before you get to the Cedar Run Creek bridge if you look carefully on the side of the mountain you will see a outcropping of rock shaped like a chimney. It is easier to see when the leaves have fallen. The climb is treacherous, steep slope of loose rocks varying from about a 30 degree slope to close to a 60 degree slope. It can take a good hour to get to the top unless you are in excellent shape.  It is sort of a blind climb as you can not really see the rock as you are climbing. I like having a rope not so much for the way up, but for the way down to keep from going too fast down. The pictures were taken a few years back when my nephew was a bit younger than now. Also as you can see it keeps brave children from causing their aunt to be a bit nervous when they are close to the edge. Don't climb when wet or icy or you may not come back in one piece...although I know a person who if they read this know who they are that climbed in multiple times on New Years Eve. I would say don't ever do that. Climb on a cooler day as it will take all of your strength and the heat will add to the difficulty.

Once you get to the top the world is yours. You feel like you are flying over Pine Creek. You can see Cedar Run below you and if you are brave enough to be at the edge there isn't anything that matches the quiet breeze and view. I often felt like an eagle soaring so much that you think you could step off and fly with them. But don't do that either unless you suddenly sprout wings you will only have a few seconds to enjoy the view. I am feeling it is time for another trip up there soon when the weather cools and I have a good supply of water for the climb. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Hunter and his sister Abbey point to Chimney Rock

Top of Chimney Rock...Hunter

Cedar Run Swimming Danger Alert

Cedar Run Swimming Rock Before

Cedar Run Swimming Rock 

Thanks to Lori-Jo Stoner for this update from Cedar Run. The first picture was taken of myself and grandson in 2006. The part to the left of my leg as you are looking at the picture is now gone.  A large tree smashed into the swimming rock when we had high water. It has broken off two large sharp stones which are right in the area most swimmers jump. Look closely before you jump to avoid injury. Mountain girl, Paula, safety alert.

Leetonia spared from Sandy's Wrath

Speck weathering the storm comfortably 

Only tree down between Leetonia and Cedar Run

View from bridge in Cedar Run Creek 5.5 ft

We missed the bullet from Sandy. So far rain has been well under 3 inches and wind did not seem to do any significant damage, since most the leaves were off the trees, I believe this helped keep the amount of trees coming over road small. Also wind came out of N, which runs parallel to our main road to Cedar Run, which I think kept the trees from falling over the road.
We did loose power last night and it hasn't been restored as of the time of this post. Our phone and internet are still working so we are good to go. The generator is running good, although, I never like running it long since it is so noisy. Last time we had power out for a week it made me crazy to listen to it. If you have a propane one they are a lot quieter.
It is still raining today and they are calling for more wind, but most of the warnings are down for this area. The coast was not nearly as lucky and viewing those pictures reminds us all how bad it could have been and how lucky we were to have missed large rainfalls and even higher winds.
Anyone coming to their camps this weekend should be fine. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Camp Cedar Pines 1915-1949?

Duck Pin

 Thanks to the Sigmans I have some interesting pictures and information about a popular camp called, "Camp Cedar Pine." This camp was operated in a joint venture between the New York Central Railroad and the YMCA of Jersey Shore from the years of 1915 to sometime in the late 40's. It was then sold to a Church camp group.
You can see in one of the pictures a foot bridge from the railroad over Pine Creek to the camp. One of the most common ways to get to camp would have been the train which stopped to let the kids off. In 1933 according to an old pamphlet the cost of staying at camp was: 2 weeks for $25.00/week, 3-5 weeks for $11.50/week or more than 6 weeks $11.00/week.
They had a dam to the south of the camp that raised the water level up so they had a nice swimming area. They also had canoes, horses and a bowling alley. The bowling alley had "Duck Pins," similar to the one in the first picture. I looked the one up to right and it is actually called a rubber band duck pin, these type of pins came out in the 1930's. The pins are quite a bit shorter than regular pins and I guess the rubber increased the action for the game. The ball used looked like 

Boys working on Project

 it was the size of a softball, but hard. The name Duck pin came about because someone commented that it looked like a flock of ducks taking off when you hit them.
The literature about the camp informed parents that children of poor behavior would not be welcome and the parents needed to accept their children would be disciplined by the camp staff. Bad behavior could result in a child being sent home without a refund.
Campers had a pretty strict schedule of daily events. They all went to a large dining hall and on Wednesdays and Saturdays had to show a letter

Swimmers with foot bridge to railroad

Winter scene showing all the buildings

 from home. This is the way they made sure the campers wrote home regularly. Parents were not encouraged to visit much but if they did come they had to stay somewhere else like Cedar Run Inn.
I am not sure how many campers attended this camp over the years, but just looking at a few pictures gives me the idea this was no small amount of children. The children came from all over including a few from other countries.
Today just a couple buildings remain which are now seasonal private camps.
But I have no doubts memories were made and cherished at this camp at the bottom of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Based on the time period of this camp I am sure there are a few people still alive with personal memories.
Now the camp is gone along with the railroad. Times have changed as the railroad is now a bike path. The idea of being in the woods with only a land phone or no phone frightens people today. Maybe its time for something like this to return people to being in touch with the mountains and the woods and pull their hands and minds away from small gadgets of our day.
There is nothing like a campfire, a spooky story, or a song to make us feel really connected to each

Boy campers and leaders

other and this earth we have been given. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Camp riders

Stacking them up

Camp Cedar Pine Swimmers

Progress on Narrows Construction

1st picture from North side of Narrows project looking South

2nd picture at bottom South side of Narrows project looking North

3rd picture South of Retaining wall forms looking North

4th picture North side of Narrows looking at finished part of retaining wall looking South

* This project is larger than it appears in these pictures!

If any of you have been as curious as me about the progress on narrows construction this is the blog post for you. I walked up to construction site today from the North side to see what they have been doing. From the creek it has been difficult to see much except some forms. Wow was I surprised. 

The project is much more involved than it appeared from a distance. The first picture is taken looking the same direction the creek flows to South. They have dug down at least sixteen feet to find something to attach a footing to that was solid. At this point they poured a large footing like slab at least 16" thick and extends from the edge of the drop to creek back to the mountain. This huge slab runs the entire distance which I estimate at around 100 yards.

They formed a thick  retaining wall on top the edge of this footing which you can see in next 3 pictures. This wall has the guard rail post attached to the top of it and drains on the side facing creek. After this wall is finished they will  back fill the entire hole to make the to roads reconnect. If you notice how much they have dug out on the first picture you can see how much they need to fill.

Although, I am impressed with how much they have done on this project. I see a lot more wall to be made. the retaining wall appears about a third done. Hopefully, this last part of pouring this wall to meet the other side of road will go faster than it looks so we can have our road back before winter. At this point I really doubt they will be done in November as promised. Let's just hope I am wrong and the weather stays good enough through December for the job to get done.  Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Slate Run and forest heavy damage

Cedar Run, Slate Run and the Leetonia area as well as Mansfield have been without power for 2 days. It is looking like at least 2 more before power is back. We have no phone or internet as I am typing this in from Galeton using a library connection. I have some great pictures and will upload them when able.
We spent yesterday sawing us out of the woods toward Cedar Run and then helped saw trees up Gamble Run,which was hit very hard. Many home are servilely damaged and some roads in State Forest still impassable. West Rim road closed as of this morning due to heavy tree damage. This is the worst storm we have had in last 9 years. Fortunately, no one has been killed that I am aware of. Several people camping had to be rescued by forestry when tree blocked their exit some landing on cars. Don't think I would have liked being in a tent. I wouldn't suggest coming unless you like living without electric or phone this weekend. Will post again when I get connection or come back to town. Mountain girl, logging out.

April Showers bring fast water

Well, we got tons of rain last night and the creeks sounded like trains rolling down the mountain. The video is of Cedar Run south of Leetonia. Pine Creek is at 6.5 feet not its highest by far. I seen it at 12 feet and that is just scary. Complete trees go down the creek at about 50 mph when it is that high. If you have only been here when the creek was a babbling brook it is definitely a different experience to see it raging. It comes up fast and can catch you off guard if you aren't careful. It looks like rain, rain, rain and more rain for at least the next 10 days. It should wash the snow away, but it makes doing outside work almost impossible. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Water, wood and weather

The last day of September, mother nature tried to catch up on the rain all in one day. We had four inches of rain. Pine creek started at around 1 foot high and went to 7 foot in a matter of a eight hour period. It is now back down around 2.84 nice day for a canoe trip. The first picture was taken on Oct 1st in the morning at Cedar Run.

We are busy cutting, splitting and stacking wood for the winter. It got down to 30 the other night and I awoke to a white frosty substance covering the grass. A little reminder winter isn't far away. It is hard when it goes from eighty to thirty, but the change in weather always seems to do that to us.
I am a little over half way through my tri-axle load of logs. I have about 30 left to cut. Those will be used next year as they have to dry. Although, I did notice a few dead logs that might be useable this year. The load they delivered was mostly ash and beech. Those will dry much faster than oak, but not burn as hot. The red oak we have for this winter has dried for about 3 years, which seems to be about right for that wood. It is very slow to cure, but a good burner once it does.

The trees are changing and dropping leaves, which doesn't make for long color. Spring and Fall are some of the nicest times of year here cause the bugs aren't hanging around. The color is
pretty in Fall, but, with winter around the corner, seems to put a bit of a damper on it. Spring heralds the end of snow so I lean towards liking it the best.

If anyone feels like they need a bit of extra exercise feel free to come bye and split some wood. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out and starting the chain saw.

Fall is here

I took this picture off the bridge at Cedar Run looking South. It was getting a bit dark so it is a little hard to see the color changes, but they have already started. Seems like many of the trees are changing and losing their leaves quickly so I am not sure the fall color will be very good this year.
The creek is very low and you can walk across it almost everywhere. We have had a very dry summer and so far the rain we get has been light.
The second picture is something I found funny. As I was driving in to get some lumber, a flagman stopped me for some road construction. I couldn't help but laugh and the combination he wore.
The required blaze orange top to be seen, but his
pants were camouflage. Clearly, a contrasting message did he want to be seen or not? The conclusion is up to you. I did ask him about his attire and his reply was: "They only said I had to wear this top."
This one will go under my file, "Only in the Pennsylvania wilds." Lee didn't think this was as funny as I did. Guess I am easily amused. Well, its back out to cut firewood. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Journey into town

Yesterday, Thor and I went into Wellsboro and then down to Slate Run and Cedar Run. The first picture shows the narrows with our recent snow, the second picture was taken going over the bridge at Cedar Run and shows the ice break-up on the banks of Pine Creek.
Although it isn't long until Spring our recent 6 inches of snow and return to single digit overnight temperatures didn't make it feel like Spring. Today it is bright and sunny and in the 20's.
I got caught up with everyone in the Pine Creek Valley and it appears there has been a poaching rash. So far as many as nine deer(that they know of) have been shot illegally around the area.
The fresh snow makes it easy to see the activity of dragging out a fresh kill. This isn't something new to the area, but you have to wonder if the economy slump will make it even more common.
Thor is being trained as a Therapy Dog and is shown in the last picture with one of the residents of Country Terrace, Ester, who is the mother of a friend of mine. He enjoys the attention and the residents seem to love him. On his first trip he wasn't too sure about the walkers, but now is quite comfortable with them. In fact, he is so comfortable with them he noticed some of them had tennis balls on the bottoms of them. I had to let him know he could not play with those balls.
Most people barely notice he is missing a rear leg, but when they do want to know his story. When he is sitting it isn't at all noticeable, but when he walks he has a little hop step. At this point his basic obedience is good. I think I am going to have to come up with a few tricks he can do to entertain people as he adapts well to his challenges.
Right now going up and down more than 3 or 4 stairs is his most difficult challenge. He has to land that rear leg just right when coming down the stairs. Today we will walk down to Leetonia and do a little work. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

2009 Leetonia Style

We have gone to Cedar Run Inn most every New Year's Eve since we have been up in Leetonia. Charlotte and Stanley helped us out with jobs the first year and getting connected to other people. Over the last six years they have become like a second family to us.

The Inn is closed during December and January, but Charlotte always has a little party for her family and friends. Games and food are part of the fun.

Drawing pictures can be challenging for some people and easy for others. One thing is sure
Charlotte and her sisters seem to have an almost psychic connection figuring out each others drawings. The second picture shows one of her great nieces drawing while the rest of us guess.
It is a small group of people but a fun way to spend the night. After visiting we drove up from Cedar Run on the very road I had my accident on this summer(I was picked up at the Inn were I lay on the floor waiting for the ambulance). Looking at the spot snow-covered and slick is not a comforting feeling. It is marginal to drive on but not as bad as I have seen it. I certainly don't recommend anyone without four-wheel drive, chains and nerves of steel to go this way. The Subaru Forester with studded snow tires did an excellent job.
I let Lee drive and for the most part I remembered to breathe. I will admit I am not as steady after having the accident. There is something very beautiful about driving through the woods when the snow covers the trees and the moon is out. It was very cold with numbers in the single digits and a good wind chill. So when we made it home the warm cabin was a welcome sight. Mountain Girl, Paula, logging out and looking forward to 2009 living in Leetonia.

More snow fell last night, about 4 inches of very wet snow. It was easy traveling early, but as the trucks packed the road it became slippery and dangerous. It was day 2 of bear season. I saw three bears taken in the Leetonia area yesterday. Lee saw one shot next to Brad's in Cedar Run today and I heard several late shots. The bears don't seem to be fairing too well this year.

After a hard day looking for bears these three hunters spent a quiet evening at Cedar Run Inn. The hunter with his arms crossed, boasts of 43 years of bear hunting without a single bear being harmed. The Inn departs from its regular
menu during hunting season and serves one thing to everyone. It is very causal style dining. Lee and I were invited to dinner and enjoyed the mashed potatoes, corn, and stuff chicken breast followed by "fruits of the forest pie", a multiberry delight.

It appears we are to continue having this early snow through Friday, which is the beginning of buck season. This will make travel up here difficult for most flatlanders. I am hoping none of them meet the creek up close. So if you are coming be prepared, bring chains and your 4-wheel drive vehicles. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Fall in Cedar Run

This summer has been so dry I thought I would get a picture from the old train bridge just North of Cedar Run. It is now part of the rails to trails and is shown in the first picture.

The second picture shows the creek bed close to the bridge so dry you could walk across most of the creek. The third picture is looking downstream from the bridge and shows the poor water level continuing.

Last night we got our first decent rain in months, which gave some relief to the plants. I didn't notice much of an increase in the river level. I swear you could almost hear the sound of the trees slurping up the water as fast as it came down. I believe we got a couple inches of rain. Looks like a chance of rain during a couple days next week and that will continue to help things out.

Lee and I were also invited to Brad's house for dinner last night. He had his friends over: David to the far left, Walt, me, Lee and
Brad. Lee cooked a peach pie and some summer squash and the boys cooked up some nice chicken, a salad, and some mixed vegetables. We had a good time visiting and enjoyed the company.

The leaves by my estimate are about 20 percent changed. The next couple weeks will show the big display before the gray of winter. I always enjoy natures last good show.

Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.