Geological Adventures in Bedford County

So Jolene and I had a bit of time to kill Friday on our way back from Somerset. Well we killed more than we should have and were late for the retirement party we were attending in the evening at the Allenberry Resort. What did we find so interesting?

Well first we stopped at the Jean Bonnet Tavern along Route 30 just west of Bedford. We ate in the tavern where we both had the Bison Burgers which feature bison from the nearby Bison Corral which we did not have time to visit. The food was great and they had a good selection of microbrew and small brewery beer. Since this was a geology trip we also were entertained by some roadwork just outside our window (mineral resource activity). After a quick stop with the goats, chickens, herb gardens, and gift shop just outside we headed on.

Our next stop was Coral Caverns in Mann's Choice, PA. We had some trouble finding it and I spent too much time swapping information with the operator so it's probably to blame for us being late for the party. It was a small cave by most public tour standards, but fun and well worth it particularly for the unique fossilized coral wall.

As you can tell by the misty photo of me standing at the cave's entrance it was a damp and drippy day. Next we travelled just a bit to the north to Gravity Hill. I arrived pretty skeptical after reading about this phenomenon on its own very nicely designed web page, but I was soon won over. If you go to the web page and print the very helpful directions it leads you to this very remote narrow country road. Pass the first GH on the road and proceed downhill to the Start line. There you put your vehicle in neutral and it will begin to very distinctly drift backwards up the hill. There was another vehicle waiting, so we didn't go the whole way or we would have eventually reached a pretty good speed. We also didn't get out and pour water on the road which is also suggested on the web page. We did however go up the road to a second such spot and experience it again. It was a real hoot and a must visit if you are in the area. It didn't make me a believer, but was alot of fun for free!

Promised Beach Pictures... sort of

Hey it's Mister Taffy! Well you can tell what I do at the shore. You didn't think is was lie on the beach in the sun was it?

Well, Jolene wouldn't pose with Mr. Taffy. Maybe if it had been someone in a Macks Pizza costume.

Anyway, I promised a photo that I took at the beach the other week and here it is. We've been on some other adventures that I'll need to report on, so I had to get this one out of the way.

Stay tuned for Gravity Hill and other adventures with geology!

Look Up

I've actually gotten out with my telescope at least three times in the past few months. That about doubles my use of it since I got it, so it still takes some fiddling with it to find my way around. That's the fun part of it though, I could have gotten a slightly smaller scope with a fancy computerized finder system, but what's the point of that?

The biggest frustration is the light pollution and it's difficult to see any of the really cool deep sky objects from my back yard. Anyway, it's still fun and I guess I found the comet I was looking for... it was just difficult to make out once I located it. I'll have to figure out how to get to some really dark part of the country and spend a night or two... and then the weather has to cooperate. I always said that astronomy was one of my favorite hobbies because you don't have to feel too bad about neglecting it. Half the nights are cloudy and most of the rest the moon's too bright.

Btw, the pic is of me when I got the scope so it's not quite up to date. Gio is much better behaved and wouldn't need a leash on to pose anymore. And of course I've lost weight, gotten even younger looking, and the grass is perfect in the yard. Well, on the internet anything is possible.

Books at the Shore

Even folks who aren't book people seem to connect a day at beach and books. So after a number of years at other beaches we're spending some quality time at our long-time favorite, Ocean City, NJ. Someone we know didn't have their place rented this week and gave us a deal we couldn't refuse... and here we are!!! (And with free wireless internet and digital flatscreen tv's to boot!)
We just came in off the beach a block away from watching the fireworks that were conveniently postponed from the 4th. We spent the day in town hitting our favorite shops and yes... that includes buying some books. Yes, we could get them wholesale, but we always find something to buy at the independent bookstores when we travel. They need all the help they can get. Follow our example. If you aren't buying your books at www.randysbooks.com just who are you supporting? If it's another independent we not only forgive you, but encourage you!
Anyway, I'll try to post some pictures (of the beach... not the books)

BTW, the books we got?
Jolene: A Pedigree to Die For, Laurien Berenson; Death of the Party, Carolyn Hart; S is for Silence, Sue Grafton (the Shore and mysteries go together); The Pleasures of Tea, Kim Waller; and The Bridge, Gay Talese.
Randy: The Pine Barrens, John McPhee; The Man Who Ate Everything, Jeffrey Steingarten, and Teach Yourself Visually: Guitar.
We got the new ones at Sun Rose Books and most of them used at Bookateria... where we trade books and have a zillion dollars credit since we always turn more in than we buy. You still have to pay a service charge per book, so we support them by providing inventory and sales.