Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Kristen’s First Rail Trail

​We have wanted to ride the Pine Creek Rail Trail for a while so made a quick decision to go Monday. Kristen was able to go with us so we packed up her trike and our 2 bikes and away we went. 

It’s a beautiful, well maintained trail. We started at Jersey Shore and rode past homes, forests, waterfalls, and farms, along Pine Creek to Waterville and back. Clocked about 28 miles. All of our butts were hurting. This was Kristen’s first long rail trail ride and we haven’t ridden longer than 16 miles around home. Need to toughen up!!

Learned some history that we didn’t know - Ramsey Village is the site where Thomas Ramsey, wagon master for George Washington’s Continental Army  .


Lenny and Pixie were so tired from their ride, they slept the whole way back home. 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

April 26-29 - Bald Eagle SP Camping

​Belle (the RV) needed a test run to make sure everything was working as it should AND to make sure we remembered how to do everything. 

We decided to stick close to home so headed to Bald Eagle State Park in Howard. We can’t remember when we’ve camped in April in Central PA. It was chilly and rained a little but we enjoyed the time there. Kristen and Pixie brought their new camper, which made it even more fun. 


Kristen and John’s new camper. Just perfect for them and Grange Fair. 

The sunrise one morning was colorful but the sun didn’t stay bright too long as clouds moved in  


Kristen had to go help whelp Julie’s lab. She brought 4 puppies into the world before she came down to meet us. 


Even though it was in the 50s, it wasn’t raining so we got a lot of biking done. 

 

Kristen had to see if her bike would run on the sand. She made it down but coming back up was a little harder. 


John was able to visit us one night for a fire  


Lots of s’mores for Kristen and me!  

When we woke up Wednesday, it as cold and supposed to rain so we all packed up and left  

Good trip and Belle did great!!  She (and us) are ready for the west trip  




Sunday, April 19, 2026

Storytelling in Roanoke

​We were so excited when Terry and Sandy Countmine called to invite us to a storytelling festival in Roanoke, VA. We quickly said YES and invited Linda Zubler to go along. We had a blast listening to 6 tellers, 4 of our favs from the Jonesborough Festival- Bill Lepp, Josh Goforth, Donald Davis and Kim Weitkamp. Two other tellers to add to our list of interesting stories were Antonio Rocha and Dolores Hydock. In a day and a half, we laughed till we cried, learned some cultural history, and sang along with some foot stomping music  


On the steps of our cabin - Wildwood - could sleep 12 (bunk beds!)  

Kim Whitkamp at the Teller’s breakfast

The stage and where we sat to listen to 

The one and only Bill Lepp

Josh Goforth and Michael (have to get his last name)

This is the cabin where we slept. Good thing we were all good friends. 

Here’s just one example of Bill Leo’s storytelling expertise.you can find other tellers there as well  


Things around State College

​Attended Happy Valley Brewery’s monthly Mug Club. Bill talked wrestling with former PSU wrestling Coach, John Fritz. 


Favorite Friday night thing to do - Biscuit Jam fun with Gale and Ken and celebrate Bill’s birthday.


No Kings event on Old Main Lawn


Celebrating Mason and John’s birthday at Brother’s pizza in Bellefonte. 


Palm Sunday at the Greater Buffalo Run Valley UMC church. 


Another celebration for Bill’s birthday- Andrea, Jillian and Nathan, Kris and John and Kya and Mason came to 814 Cidery for some great tasting cider and playing cards. 


Another weekend was a Countermine event - Honey Pie at 814 Cidery. Enjoyed spending time with Finley and Eli  


A walk with Kristen at Bald Eagle SP


Kristen and I are designing our hats for the Acres Kentucky Derby Gala. 


Back to 814 Cidery for more cider and games with the Raneys. 


A visit with Doris Grove. 


That wraps up our April happenings.