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6.26.2022

Kinzua Bridge State Park: A Place for All Seasons

Kinzua Bridge is a breathtaking place to visit in any time of the year. Seeing man's attempt to create the infrastructure to cross this abrupt valley is really something else. The weather in this area is often as intense as the crossing of the bridge itself. There is only one time that I have gone when the weather was not windy and intense
Often when I visit, it is either very windy with some slight rain, or very windy with snowy weather. It is easy to see how the weather got volatile enough to take a portion of the bridge down. It is windy days that make the bridge feel as if it is alive, with a hint of sway and sounds. 
An autumn view after the leaves had fallen

A summer view

A winter view
A spring view
The wooden boards on the bridge deck glisten on wet days and certain perspectives make the bridge look endless. It is always a treat to be able to stop and check out this bridge. 
I could stay here all day and watch this perspective

Often with impressive bridges, such as the Tunkhannock Viaduct, Starrucca Viaduct, Rockville Bridge, Ben Franklin Bridge, and the many bridges of Pittsburgh, the bridges are cool and have some observation areas, but are often just an afterthought. Driven or ridden over, or driven past without much of a thought. This bridge these days is solely for observation and you can even walk on it. In a state with more bridges than pretty much anyone else, with a ton of impressive bridges within that lot, it is great to have a place where you can appreciate the engineering and beauty of a bridge structure. More of these types of places should be made. 

In addition to the engineering, you can see an industrially ravaged valley grow back. Even in the last ten years or so that we have gone to this place, we have seen the grow back progress in action. It is really pretty dramatic

At the end of the bridge, there is a glass surface that you can look straight down 300 feet. The rail tie section is more impressive to me though because you can see that same distance but unobstructed. 



A view from the end of the remnants of the bridge, looking down at the mangled sections from when a tornado took out the far end of the bridge. It is pretty dramatic and neat to see, especially with the contrasts of the rusty iron with early spring leaves.
Looking back from the end back towards the remnants of the standing portion of the bridge.

Kinzua Bridge State Park is such an incredible place to check out and we highly recommend it. 

 

6.05.2022

Shikellamy State Park: Scenic Overlook Above Susquehanna River, Boating, & Hiking

Shikellamy State Park hosts some fantastic views of the Susquehanna River, at the confluence of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna River. This is a terrific place to take in the view and have a picnic lunch. This beautiful spot has been sought out for centuries. A one mile nature trail goes around the small area. 
The upper section of the state park with the overlook is the older section of the park, and the lower section of the park has Lake Augusta, which is formed from a dam that creates a lake at the confluence of the rivers. The dam is thought to be the world's largest inflatable dam, and it is only kept in place during the warmer months.The Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam is 8 feet tall and 2300 feet long. There is a marina for utilizing the lake area for recreational opportunities. Its proximity to I-80 makes this a great place to stop and stretch your legs if you are headed across the state, along with its close proximity to Knoebels Amusement Resort and points north and points south. 
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