“MCCONNELL’S MILL HIKE”

One of my favorite places has always been McConnell’s Mill State Park…if you ever want to “get way from it all” for a couple of hours, “the mill” is the place to go…that being said, naturally[no pun intended], it was also one of the first places that I wanted to go upon retiring…trips to the mill were difficult to arrange when working–snow meant 12 hour shifts many times, and the last thing you wanted to do after plowing snow all night was go out and walk in it!…

“The Bridge”

SO, now that snow is beautiful again, I asked my friends and former co-workers, Larry Smail and Frank Maus, if they would like to travel to the mill for a hike[they have a couple of years' head start on me for such walks]…they agreed to go, and on a cold, frosty, sunny morning, the 8th of January, we embarked on our journey…

“Frankie, Slim, Larry”

Our first priority was breakfast…conveniently, my friend[and bag-piper] Amanda operates her family restaurant, “Hickory Woods”, along Route 422, just a few miles from the park…If you love to eat breakfast, you’ll love “Hickory Woods”, with many traditional family recipes, a relaxing atmosphere, and great hospitality…until his recent passing, I could always count on Amanda’s Dad coming over to sit and talk while we waited on our meal…it’s a great place to meet with friends for a meal, and that’s what we did to start our day…of course, the majority of the conversation[and laughter] this day revolved around our combined nearly 100 years service with Penndot–so many stories, so little time!

“Hey Larry, let’s leave Slim at the falls!”

Once our bellies were full, it was time to go walk it off…we started at Alpha Pass and Falls, a trail that leads to a waterfall, fed by a mere drainage ditch…the weeks of cold weather had made the falls a series of large icicles, with water still splashing over the cliff…a beautiful display, just a short hike down the trail…

“Alpha Falls”

Next, it was time to go to the old grist mill, which is flanked by a beautifully restored covered bridge…Slippery Rock Creek feeds the mill, and travels over the dam, and under the bridge…normally, I would climb all over the large rocks above and below the bridge for photos, but the packed snow and ice made climbing a challenge[and Slippery Rock Creek is deep, fast, and dangerous]…and the thing I do best in water is “sink”, so I kept my distance…we would take a short drive up to the cliffs that overlook the creek valley, but again, with deep gorges and slippery conditions, looking out the window would suffice…

“Mill and dam”

From there we headed for one of the more remote[and often overlooked] areas of the park, called “Hell’s Hollow”…I don’t know the “lore” for how it got that name, but feel it is certainly misleading, as a walk down the trail will lead you to a “heavenly scene”–a three tiered waterfall, surrounded by a forest of beech, hemlock, oak, and maples–not to mention the boulders and rock formations, and the old kiln…what beauty!…and on a crisp, cold morning, the only sounds were the birds calling, and the water rushing over the falls…

“From this…”

We took a break from the “work stories” to discuss more serious matters–”lost pets”…Larry’s dog “Susie” being the most recent to pass,[www.larrysmailart.com], but we all had a similar story, and I think “walking and talking” were “good medicine” for Larry this day…by the time we got back to my truck, we had successfully walked off our breakfasts, and went back to laughing all the way home…we agreed to repeat the journey[or another similar one] soon…

…”to this…”

For more information about McConnell’s Mill, visit: http://www.visitPAparks.com

…”to the falls…”

For information about Amanda Lazzara, “the lady-piper” go to: http://www.ladypiperpa.webs.com

Larry’s blog/website is: http://www.larrysmailart.wordpress.com or http://www.larrysmailart.com

**All photos by the author…copyright laws apply***

 

 

“Beech leave in snow”

 

 

“Three Stooges”

 

 

“A Heavenly scene”

“CHRISTMAS 2012″

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

I hope that you all had a Blessed Christmas, and that the New Year has been a happy one so far…Christmas was filled with countless blessings in our family, all wrapped around the true meaning of the day and the real Spirit of the holiday…“Go, Tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!”…

On the 16th of December,  Mum, Sue and I, attended a beautiful Christmas cantata at the Harvest Baptist Church[just off the Millerstown exit on Rt.28]…we were invited by my good friends Brian and Cheryl Morris, and were very moved and impressed by the program…

“Christmas ‘jammies for Chloe”

Christmas Eve, we attended candlelight service at the Harvest Community Church, also a beautiful celebration–“O Great Light of the World, fill up my heart”…it was priceless to watch the look in Chloe and Caydens’ eyes, as they held their candles and looked around at the glow in he church…we then headed to Sue’s for her

“A family keepsake”

traditional gift to the kids–Christmas pajamas!…Sue also had a Christmas eve “visitor”–a wooden toy soldier that her Dad had made years ago…we had brought the family keepsake back from Florida with us in October[in three pieces!--to fit in my suitcase]…I re-assembled him and touched him up, and “posted” him outside her front door as a surprise…

“Beth’s a happy camper!”

Christmas Day was a beautiful day, starting at Ali and Jared’s, with Chloe and Cayden

“Jared”

seeing that Santa had made a serious delivery there!…“Christmas, is for Children”…

“Ali and Cayden”

Then we headed for Ma and Pa’s[Bob-Bob and Flo, as the kids say], for a wonderful ham dinner, and, you guessed it, more presents!…I have to admit, I was the one who was surprised this time, with my parents getting me a flat-screen TV for a Christmas/retirement gift…WOW!…let me tell you, a Sharp Aquos has a great picture!…

 

After the wrapping paper was cleaned up, and we were full of ham[and cookies], it was time to head home for a nap!…I got a nice, crackling fire going, and the gang arrived at my house around 7 in the evening…somehow, Santa had managed to get a sleigh- full around the fire and under the tree[a beautiful 8 foot Concolor fir]…the wrapping paper “flew” there for awhile too!…another beautiful Christmas Day, filled with many memories, was done…but, the Spirit, and the memories, would continue in the coming days, with more visits, more fellowship, and yes, another present or two…Dave and MaryLynn would come over for an evening…Nicole[my little brat!] would visit…and of course, we made our annual “rounds”, visiting with family…

And, for anyone that knows me, also knows that it STILL looks like Christmas in my house…I love the tree, the lights, and the candles each evening, and[if you read the previous post], having retired on December 29th, I have more evenings to sit by the fire and enjoy it all…in fact, when we went to pick out our trees this year, I asked Bowser’s [Owen and Tim] if they could get me a “dug” concolor…Tim picked a beautiful little tree, and several weeks before Christmas I planted it by the bird-feeder…I call it my “retirement tree”…Lord willing, I will be able to decorate it each year and say “I planted that tree the year that I retired from PennDOT!”…

“Cayden’s Thomas the Train!”

“Nurse Chloe’s new stethascope”…

 

“Retirement Tree under a full moon!”

Well, it’s time to put another arm-load of wood on the fire…

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND “GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE”

**All photos by the author, except “Pap-Pap’s gifts”, by Maw-maw**

 

 

 

“Pap-pap’s gifts”

 

 

…”the best gift of all!”

“RETIRED!”

28 December, 2012…

It was just before Thanksgiving, 1981…I received a call from the offices of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation…I’m sure that at that time, I didn’t realize what a blessing it was to get that interview, but I can remember how happy my Mum was about it!…I took the interview, and got the job…my first day was a very cold day, January 18th, 1982…one of the first orders of business there was to “buy back” the year that I had worked at Crooked Creek State Park…that time would eventually be counted toward my retirement[thanks Janice!]…

So, after thirty-one years of plowing snow in the winter, and running a grader in the summer[the first several years were as a flagman/laborer], I have grown weary of it, and have chosen to take an early retirement…

Of course at 51, I don’t plan to be idle, so you could probably call it a “career change”, but whatever you choose to call it, when it’s snowing in the morning, rest assured, it will be a welcome change, knowing that I can set here by the fire and look out the window, without worrying about the phone ringing…I’m trading in my snow plow for a snow shovel!

 

“My new plow”

I understand now what a blessing it was to have a good job with good benefits for over thirty years…I made many, many friends in those thirty-one years, and some of those friendships will carry on[literally] in the days to come…I’m looking forward to spending some time with a few of my “already retired” friends…and knowing that I can spend more time with my parents, my family, Sue, the kids and grandkids, will be the biggest blessing of all…

Obviously, this “should” mean a little more time for working on this blog, my photography, some musical endeavors, and my Civil War living history life…hopefully, I’ll get more than two or three posts on this site in 2013, as well as many more photos…

……………did you hear that?….

……a deep sigh of relief!

God Bless, Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

“Slim”

“The driveway awaits”

 

“TIME FLIES!”

Friday, 29 June, 2012…

Well, here it is the last few days of June already…while attending the “Strawberry Festival” at the Salem Baptist Church two weeks ago, I was reminded by my Aunt Sandy that I hadn’t put anything on my blog since “Christmas”!!…It certainly isn’t because there hasn’t been anything to write about–actually quite the opposite; so much going on that there seems to be no free time for writing…

“The Ball”

So, here is quick recap of the last six months: I made it through my 30th winter with PennDOT…Sue and I attended our first civil war “ball” in February…turned fifty-one several weeks ago…and a list of Civil War events/activities too many to mention has filled up most of the calender…a few of the highlights are: *started a new website on wordpress for the 62ndPVI[www.62ndpvi.wordpress.com];*held an SUVCW meeting[Camp 43] at the Andrew Carnegie Library, in a room first used by GAR Veterans in the early 1900′s, adjacent to the Thomas Espy Room; *held a Veteran’s Appreciation Picnic[Camp 43], a very special afternoon; *spent a great weekend with friends and 62ndPVI members attending “Volunteer Work

“Volunteer Work Day Gang”

Day” at Gettysburg, most of us sharing a log cabin cottage for the weekend;*just returned from a very memorable trip with the 62ndPVI, visiting many Civil War battlefields on our way to Appomattox Courthouse,VA, where we took part in a rare living history on the National Park Service grounds at historic Appomattox, the site of the Wilmer McLean House, where Grant and Lee met to sign the terms of surrender…I will do my best to make time to describe this trip in more detail very soon, as it warrants telling…

“McLean House HQ Camp”

Otherwise, many, many more worthy activities have gone by, which may appear on either the 62nd PVI site, the SUVCW Camp #43 site, the “Rest on Arms” site, or this site in the future, but rest assured, they have all been memorable…

And, of course, there are the everyday blessings shared with family, friends, and loved ones, which are never to be taken for granted…”Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

“Pap-Pap’s Birthday!”

Until next time[hopefully not six months from now]…

“Christmas 2011″

25 January, 2012…

I have always loved Christmas, and the whole holiday season…my parents still laugh about my “playing Christmas records in October” when I was young…many memorable Christmas’ have passed, but I still break out the old favorites[Glen Campbell, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole], and some new traditions[Chieftains, Celtic, Civil War period music], pretty early…the “Spirit of Christmas”, after all, is not to be “boxed up” after the first of the year, but should be a fresh in our minds year round…and although I do love the lights, the tree, and the decorations, traditions that my parents, grandparents and family have always shared, the most important thing I’ve learned, is “what Christmas is all about”-the birth of our Savior, ’tis Christ the Lord!

"Ma and Pa"--priceless!

"Glory to the Newborn King"

This year, for the first time in a number of years, I didn’t have to worry about getting called to work, as Christmas Day was “calm and bright”…so, what a blessing it was, to be able to spend the whole day with my family, going to Sue’s, my parents’, my Uncle’s, and then finally back home, watching smiling faces exchanging gifts at each stop, and of course a delicious Christmas dinner at Ma’s…

I always enjoy watching faces light up when reading a heartfelt card, or opening the perfect present…many wonderful things were given[and received] this year, and one the favorites turned out to be the “Hallmark recordable storybooks” that we gave to Chloe and Cayden…what a great idea-being able to record your voice reading “The Very First Christmas”, or “The Night Before Christmas”….

"Christmas is for Children..."

Another tradition that our family continues to carry on, is that we go house-to-house on the evenings following Christmas, which makes it a week-long celebration of sorts…and this year, Sue’s Mum, sister and brother-in-law were able to come visit from out of town, a very nice surprise[again,the weather cooperated]…I also got to spend some time with Nicole, my “unadopted daughter”!…each of these small gifts of quality time, as the commercial says, “priceless”…

Many families have experienced the loss of a loved one during the holiday season, and ours

"O Christmas Tree..."

is no exception, with my Grandmother passing away several years ago in December…it was especially difficult, as she was the last of my Grandparents, but I know that I was Blessed to have four wonderful Grandparents for so many years…through a strange little “gift from above”, this years’ tree ended up being a gift from them!…so, with that in mind, I adorned the 13 foot frasier with silver and gold, and homemade angels…”God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen,let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior, was born upon this Day!”

"Deck the halls..."

“Merry Christmas Everyone!”

"Happy Holiday's"

“R.J.Gibson-Civil War Photographer”

23 January, 2012…

"Sue and I"

When I first became interested in the Civil War, and more specifically, Gettysburg, I saw an ad for a civil war photographer, who was taking images using original equipment and traditional formulas…as a photographer myself, I was already curious about the “tintypes” and “glass plates”, having learned a little from the Ken Burns documentary…it’s hard to imagine that countless original glass plates were used in greenhouses after the war, with the images being lost due to exposure to sunlight…so, I went into R.J. Gibson’s upstairs studio on Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg…

Rob was very welcoming, and showed me his original cameras, the tin and glass plates, and explained the process, including the original chemicals and how they bring the image to life…he also showed me his extensive wardrobe-uniforms, dresses, and civilian clothing, for those outside the living history realm who wish to dress for the occasion…

Having my own uniform, that of a Union private with the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, I was ready for my first Gibson image…and what a great experience, doing just what so many soldiers did once they received their uniform–setting for a tintype…it didn’t take long to realize that Rob truly is a “master photographer”, as he took great care in the prepping for the shot, and then invited me to watch as the chemicals “raise” the image on the tin plate…

"My first Gibson image"

Since that first visit to Gibson’s, I make sure to stop in every time I am in Gettysburg…Rob, his wife Dee, and “Norman”[the dog], are always quick to offer a cup of coffee, and a look at some of Rob’s latest works…and over the years, Rob has taken a number of images for me, Sue, and most recently, the 62nd PVI…

"Sue-in an original case"

It was truly a special day in July, when Rob, Dee, and an assistant brought the camera “into the field”…as part of the 62nd’s encampment at the Lightner Farmhouse B&B, we had requested two images be taken: one of our entire Company[ soldiers,women,civilians], and one of our descendant soldiers[we have seven at this time]…it was very easy to imagine a photographer coming into camp, seeing a small company at rest,

"62nd Descendant Tintype"

and setting up for a portrait…and with the farmhouse as a backdrop[the Lightner Farmhouse was a Corps Hospital], the images couldn’t look any more “original”…

"62nd Company Tintype"

Rob has always been very supportive of our unit, contributing gift certificates towards our

"62nd Descendants Print"

"62nd Company Print"

fundraising efforts, and obviously, providing us with timeless images to preserve our history for many years to come…

To see more of Rob’s images, including “God’s and General’s”, History Channel, and PBS specials to name a few, visit: www.civilwarphotography.com

**Copyright laws apply to all Gibson images**

“62nd PVI: Remembrance Day, 2011″

"Wheatfield Tribute"

  It hardly seems like it’s been almost two months since our annual visit to Gettysburg…A very busy schedule[civil war, holiday preperations, work] hasn’t allowed much time for writing, but I’ll try and catch up again……

The trip to Gettysburg started with an early departure from Kittanning, arriving in Gettysburg around mid-morning…since Sue and I had a little time before other members were to arrive, we decided to go to the Wheatfield to place a flag on the 62nd monument, and to check the ground conditions prior to Saturday’s ceremony…it wouldn’t be long until we would realize that we were “guided” there for a reason…as we arrived at the monument, I noticed one other gentleman in the Wheatfield…as I was placing the flag, he drew closer, as if wanting to see “who places these flags”…”I’m going to put a flag there myself”, he said, and in an instant I knew that he too was a descendant of a 62nd volunteer…”Tom”, Sue and I all sensed that our meeting was special, and I invited him to attend the ceremony and other events on Saturday…having several ancestors in Company H[St. Clair Guards], he said “I’ll be here”, and we parted ways, knowing we would be seeing each other again…

As the day went on, other members arrived, including “new recruits” Joe and Cindy

"Lightner Farmhouse B&B"

McShane…with the grounds at the Lightner Farmhouse B&B being extremely soft due to recent rain and snow, we elected to preserve our encampment site by staying off of it, and we enjoyed the comforts of the farmhouse for the weekend…As always, Dennis and Eileen treated us like family[I may give up tenting in November!]…

"Lightner Farm breakfast room"

Saturday, 19 November, 2011…one hundred and forty-eight years have passed since President Abraham Lincoln came to Gettysburg to help dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery…

As the sun rose on a cold, frosty November morning, friends, families, and members of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, gathered around the monument to pay solemn tribute to the men of the Regiment…once again, a large contingent from the Confederation of Union Generals[ Generals, staff, and lovely ladies] showed their support for our unit, with General JNO Buford[Mike Smith] and General Rufus Ingalls[Pat Fairbairn] both delivering very moving tributes to the sacrifices offered by the 62nd Regiment, not only at Gettysburg, but throughout their three years’ service in the Army of the Potomac…

"...we must never forget..."

Following the Wheatfield ceremony, we all traveled to the Soldiers National Monument, for a tribute to the U.S.Regulars, the “regular Army”  Veterans…General G.G. Meade[Andy Waskie, Meade Society], and General George Thomas[Bill Vossler, COUG] both gave accounts of the Regulars’ history, with many representatives being introduced…the 62nd served as Honor Guard, along with the 98th PA…

Just a short walk up Cemetery Ridge, we gathered around the large equestrian memorial to General George Gordon Meade, hosted by the Meade Society…speeches by General Meade[Andy Waskie], and General John F. Reynolds[Mike Riley,COUG] graced this ceremony, with our unit bearing the Colors of Meade’s former Corps, the Union Fifth Corps…

"Our lovely ladies..."

"62nd PVI"

Following a brief lunch break, it was time to “form up” for the Remembrance Day Parade, sponsered by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War[SUVCW], to which many 62nd members also belong…The SUVCW led the parade, with the 62nd PVI, as Honor Guard for COUG, following right in line, as the endless line of troops marched thru the streets of historic Gettysburg…this never fails to provide the “in the moment” feelings, as if for just a brief moment we become our ancestors…the streets were crowded with on-lookers, and the weather was beautiful…a grand day…

"...is marching on..."

"His Truth..."

Finally, after another short time to relax, the 62nd PVI, along with some friends from the 66th Ohio Regiment, gathered at the Soldiers National Cemetery for the most solemn duty of the day–Guard detail for the Illumination of the Cemetery…I know that I have stated this before, but it is in the performance of this duty that one REALLY feels the connection to the fallen heroes at Gettysburg…many times as a living historian things happen and all hints of the modern world seem to fade away, but if you take seriously the opportunity to stand guard over the illuminated graves, you easily “become” a soldier assigned the most sullen duty…and as you listen to the names of the thousands of

"Ghostly image-guard detail"

dead, as they are read by other volunteers, you know that each name represents someone who gave his life, to preserve our Union, and see the abolition of slavery through…may God Bless them all…what an appropriate way to end a long, meaningful day, knowing that you are standing at the site where President Lincoln gave his timeless address…

Sunday, 20 November 2011…following a delicious breakfast, we said our goodbyes at the Lightner Farm, and headed to the battlefield for some quiet walking time and discussion of the battle…we then gathered in town for a meal together before returning home…always hard to leave Gettysburg…already looking forward to our return………

PHOTO CREDITS: Joe McShane

"Joe and Cindy"