Some arrivals just make the whole road trip worth it. Driving into Bald Eagle
State Park in Centre County, Pennsylvania, was one of those moments. Crossing
the bridge over
Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir, surrounded by the hills and Bald Eagle Mountain, our stress levels started
to plummet and the smiles appeared. No joke! We stayed in the newly paved
White Pine Loop campground, where every site had a smooth, level pad and full
hookups - and we had a spectacular view to go with it! Bald Eagle State Park
has so many camping options, including the incredible 16-room
Nature Inn at Bald Eagle. With its breathtaking vistas and recognition as the #1 Eco-Lodge in the
nation, it’s unlike anywhere else in the
Pennsylvania State Parks system. We ended Day One in Howard, PA, by grabbing our fishing rods and walking
down to the docks to watch the sunset. It couldn’t have been a better start to
our trip!
We’ve always been State Park “nerds.” Long before we started RV There Yet? for
TV, we loved exploring, camping, and learning about the natural resources and
lands set aside for all of us to enjoy. Whenever we visit a park, we try to
learn from the experts - Rangers, Interpreters, Guides, and Officers who can
share the history of the land, the people who lived there, the wildlife that
thrives there today, and why these special places have been preserved for
future generations. Our visit to Bald Eagle State Park was a perfect example.
We had the opportunity to spend time with three wonderful Rangers and
experience the park in completely different ways. We got our hands dirty
discovering tadpoles, water bugs, and even leeches; learned the incredible
story of
Foster Joseph Sayers, a 20-year-old infantryman from Centre County who received the
Medal of Honor
during WWII; and were even sworn in as Junior Rangers by the Park
Superintendent! So many smiles. So many great lessons. The next time you’re
planning a road trip, do yourself a favor: check your route for a State Park
and make time for a Ranger presentation, guided tour, or educational program.
It will change the way you see the land, history, culture, wildlife, and the
people who came before us. These parks are treasures - and there’s so much
more to discover when you take the time to learn from the people who know them
best.
Patrice is not a fan of caves. Just putting that out there right off the bat.
No sugarcoating it. She feels pretty much the same way about flying. It’s
not that she’s afraid of heights or claustrophobic - she always says, “It’s
just that I really like oxygen.” When she thinks about going deep into the
earth or flying high in a compressed cabin, her brain immediately creates some
very creative (and slightly delusional) scenarios about everything that could
possibly go wrong. Okay, enough about her psychosis. Let’s get on with the
story. Some of you may remember Season 1, when we visited Wind Cave National
Park in South Dakota and Patrice bailed at the last minute as we were entering
the cave. Then, somehow, she joined us for Kartchner Cave State Park in
Arizona. As the seasons progressed, so did her courage - Carter Cave State
Park in Kentucky, and now, in this week’s episode,
Penn’s Cave
in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. When you arrive at Penn's Cave & Wildlife
Park, there are plenty of ways to explore, but we decided on the flat-bottom
motorboat tour through the only cave in Pennsylvania on the National Register
of Historic Places. It’s a steep stroll down to the top of the stairs leading
to the boat queue. Once you enter the mouth of the cave, the temperature drops
to a cool 52 degrees - year-round. As you swivel your head, you see light from
the outside world on one side and complete darkness disappearing into the
depths of the cave on the other. Add the sounds of fish splashing and jumping
through the water, and the whole thing takes on an uneasy, almost creepy
effect. Fantastic! We shove off and begin one of the most fascinating cave
tours ever.
Glistening stalactites, stalagmites, sculpted flowstone, curtains, cascades, and draperies surround
us. We’re floating through an all-water cavern filled with incredible pillars
and magnificent columns. And Patrice? She’s having the time of her life! We
couldn’t believe our eyes. She was smiling, taking it all in, and even
admitted how beautiful it was. In her own words: “First cave experience that I
don’t want to immediately run out of.” Progress! The full tour lasts about 45
minutes, and then we emerge from the darkness into the light, dead-ending into
a cul-de-sac surrounded by one of the wildlife exhibits featuring deer. Very
cool!
Sometimes the requirements of the job get a little ridiculous. Sometimes, it’s
just too much. For our final day in Pennsylvania, we were forced to eat
ice cream at 8:00 in the morning. The level of commitment this gig demands was
truly being tested, folks. Bwahahahahahaha!! Are you kidding me?! Ice cream
for breakfast?! A dream come true for Patrice, Kevin, and the crew! I don’t
think anyone slept a wink the night before knowing what was waiting for us in
the morning. We visited
Penn State’s historic Berkey Creamery, a landmark that has been part of Penn State for more than 160 years and has
played a major role in
dairy education, research, and food science. From its early dairy courses and ice
cream-making instruction to today’s world-class production, the Creamery has a
pretty incredible history. We toured the production facilities, checked out
the campus store, and then came the really important part: tasting a few
samples. And by “a few,” we mean ALL OF THEM! From milking the herd to
serving up that perfect scoop, Penn State’s Berkey Creamery is producing some
seriously delicious dairy products. It’s no wonder that on any given day,
people are willing to stand in a line around the block for a scoop! And yes .
. . we were more than happy to join them.
Watch the episode
here
or click the link below to watch:
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