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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