Harrisburg, PA...Capital City

Checking out Pennsylvania's State Capitol building in Harrisburg

Forsake me not, O Lord, my God;be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation!

                                                                            Psalm37:22-23


Harrisburg became the capital city in 1812. The original capitol building burned down in 1897 and rebuilt in 1906 using the Italian Renaissance style. Theodore Roosevelt helped design this later structure.

Stone Bridge over the Susquehanna river near Harrisburg

Pennsylvania is a large state and very mountainous. I've found that staying on roads that follow rivers has been the most efficient way to make miles. The Susquehanna River has been the waterway that's been best for me in central PA. The shoulders are generally good on PA147 and the grades not as extreme as northern PA.

Pink fountain water outside the Capitol in honor of breast cancer awareness month

You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.

                                                                     Psalm 15:11


Harrisburg, PA is the Capital of the state and there is a lot of early American history around here. The top of Capitol building has the same form as our National Capitol in Washington DC.

Interior view of the Capitol Dome

Whoever loves me will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.

                                                                            John 14:23


One thing that I value about this state are the low taxes. It's roughly 6% sales tax on everything you buy compared to the 8.75% in my home state of California or 13.5% in Canada.

Schiano's Ice Cream stand on HWY 47...the place to be in Herndon

Harrison was a helpful citizen in Dalmatia

Pennsylvania's early development was effected by America's westward expansion in some catastrophic  environmental ways. In the 1800's many forests were decimated and lands poisoned in an effort to extract coal , minerals, timber and other elements. Various animals became extinct or endangered due to man's quest for natural resources. The early 1900's were the worst times for the natural landscape. Thanks to the efforts of futuristic leaders who replanted trees and made efforts at cleaning up waterways, today's Pennsylvania is more pristine than 100 years ago. Better forestry and mining tactics have resulted in less environmental impact and damage. In turn, native animals have returned and the landscape appears very upbeat. I've truly had a great time visiting this state.

Some elevated lands in the Valleys of the Susquehanna region of Pennsylvania

Good place to hang around for a WIFI signal

Truly...Country Living!

Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me  shall have life because of me, says the Lord.

                         John 6:58

Into Pennsylvania...The Keystone State

It's time to get your gourd on!

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.

                                                                                   Psalm 104:3-4

Beautiful Pennsylvania countryside

Keystone State welcome sign

Pine Creek flowing south

Our Saviour Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought us to life through the Gospel.

    2 Timothy 1:10

Lot's of rivers in Pennsylvania

Pine Creek Rail Trail

Pennsylvania, also known as the "Keystone State" has been pivotal in shaping our United States of America today. William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a colony in 1681 for persecuted members of the Society of Friends (Quakers). The colony became a friendly haven to all victims of religious persecution including German Mennonites and Amish folks. Today these people still thrive in farming communities shunning modern machinery in favor of animals and manpower to plow fields and harvest crops.

Unique Rock Formation in the mountain

So nice to find this trail

Handsome autumn color

Sandy and some new Roadhouse friends...5131 RT 6 Wellsboro, PA

More beautiful foliage

We will ring out our joy at your saving help and exult in the name of our God.

                                                                 Psalm 19:6

It's been getting cool fast so I've been dedicating my efforts at moving south ASAP to avoid becoming a human popsicle. I must say that the Allegeny mountains of central Pennsylvania are more extreme than anything I've encountered in recent history. I've had my surplus of experiences walking the grades instead of riding them. I'm not very good in extreme elevations because of the weight of my vehicle. I prefer to ride the flatter terrains (like Rail Trails next to rivers).

I associate my bike and trailer with a semi tractor trailer. The effects of the grades of the road are more extreme compared to lighter vehicles. On the downhills, it's mandatory to stay in front of my trailer and avoid using extreme steering maneuvers. My rig tends to pick up speed fast and without concern for downhill speed, I could have a extremely dangerous situation on my hands. I've heard stories about the BOB trailer I pull jackknifing and causing an accident because the trailer started moving faster than the bicycle.

Some state of the art facilities on the Pine Creek Rail Trail

Lot's of steep grades in this centralized Pennsylvania county

The Pine Creek Rail Trail has been my most enjoyable experience in Pennsylvania so far. It begins in Arsonia, PA and ends in Jersey Shore. This trail is located in the Allegheny National Forest which contains 500,000+ acres of dense woodland and narrow valleys. Folks around here refer to the Pine Creek Gorge    as Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon because it has elevation drops of 1,000+ feet and extends over 50 miles. 

Lastly, I enjoyed Lewisburg, PA where time visiting Bucknell University was well spent. The student union was quiet on Sunday and I found it to be a good place to relax and unwind.



Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering to God.

                                                                           Ephesians 5:2

Back In The USA

My Friend Is A Jackass!

 To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear toward me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.
                                                               Psalm 16:6-8

Beautiful Country with splendid Autumn color

Some Western New York country

 The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
                                                               
                                                                    Mark 10:45

10945 Rt 16...these guys work hard!

Nice place to see some color in the autumn

Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

                                                                                     Psalm 32:18-19

Microtel Clean new rooms in Wellsville, NY

Great Home style cooking here in Wellsville, NY

I've made the decision to move south in a direct manner to avoid the perils of the cooler months. So far, I've found myself working my way thru western New York. I plan to pick up the Atlantic Coast cycling route in Columbia, PA and follow it south. This route is suggested and more information can be found at adventurecyclingassociation.org. They have routes and tours throughout the country. Detailed maps are available thru their website.

The weather's been cooling quickly and I must say that summer's officially gone! Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with any extremely bad weather like snow, sleet or freezing rain. With that said, I'll continue to venture south where I'll be less likely to deal with those kinds of elements during this time of year. 

Lake Erie Exploration

Sunrise on the Niagara River

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
                                                                           Mathew 5:3

Niagara River @ Horseshoe Falls

Rapids leading to the Falls

More powerful rapids

You can't swim at this point in the river and survive very long

*BEWARE* of strong currents!

Peace Bridge between Fort Erie & Buffalo

8 man crew in the jetty of the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY

Nice trail leading to the Peace Bridge

Jetty at the mouth of the Niagara River

The mouth of the Niagara River...looking into Lake Erie

Fashionable Park Bench in Buffalo, NY

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel.
                  Psalm 129:3-4

Appropriate bike rack in Buffalo, NY

This Silver Buffalo sure looks happy

Best Indian Food in Niagara Falls, NY 3rd & Main St.

When the Lord appears, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.
John 3:2


Although the Niagara River is small in length compared to the Mississippi it certainly has it's unique qualities. It's only one of the few that I know of in North America that flows from the south northward.. There is the Genesse River in Pennsylvania that flows into the Niagara and another River in Ohio that flows into Lake Erie, but I can't remember it's name now.  The clarity and blue hues make it hard to forget. When I examine it I think it could be classified as a strait because it it separates two land masses. Are the Great Lakes really just big rivers? These large bodies of fresh water have rivers that flow into them as well as out, therefore; shouldn't they too be considered rivers and not lakes? I'm not going to argue about some definitions that most of us take for granted but sometimes I wonder what the truth about our language is and what terms are just things that we assume and agree on as truth.

Chippewa Indians were some of the earliest inhabitants of the Niagara region between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Canada has a rich tradition of being peace loving folks. This year the Niagara region in Ontario is celebrating 200 years of PEACE.

 Although I'm not a Canadian history buff, I can see that the English have a stronghold here. Queen Elizabeth dominates the currency and English tort law is one of the common practices that law students need to study and learn to become layers. From my vantage point the English funded Canadian soldiers (probably British troops away from home) to wage war against the United States. I assume this happened during the Revolutionary War when America was fighting for it's independence from English taxation. There is a historical Naval Base at Niagara On The Lake in Ontario.

I've spoken with a few Canadians about ways to improve their country and one of the things that come to my mind is "GET THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND OFF YOUR MONEY!". Although many claim she's just a figurehead, I associate her and the English government with getting a kickback of the high taxation that Canadians deal with. You're dealing with over 13% sales tax on anything you buy there. I say, "PUT SOME CANADIANS ON YOUR MONEY!"

I feel that Canada is influenced by Europe more than the United States. I know the Europeans pay a lot more in taxes than the average American. As far as I'm concerned, I prefer to pay less taxes and have less government in my life and pocketbook. 

One last comment about Canada that I want to bring to your attention is the availability of pay phones. It's hard to find those in the USA these days with cell phones being so popular.

The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.
            Psalm 33:11