Greetings Pennsylvania parks and forest lovers! My name is Brittany Spriggle, and I recently joined the Pennyslvania Parks and Forest Foundation team as the public relations and outreach coordinator.

PPFF’s mission to protect and conserve our shared natural resources in state parks and forests is very important to me. In the summer of 2011 I worked as an extern in the communications department of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In December I received my bachelor’s degree in communications from Penn State Harrisburg.

Hiking, kayaking, and jogging the exercise-trail are my favorite activities at my local state park, Little Buffalo.  I look forward to meeting you and working with other lovers of our state parks and forests.

Just want to say hello. I’m a new staff person with PPFF and am excited to contribute and connect folks to our beautiful state parks and forests. Even in the busy holiday season, make some time for yourself to get outdoors. Bundle up and go for a hike. Get up and go. Once you’re outside–look, smell and enjoy the PA seasonal delights. You’ll be glad you did.

Well, here it is, midway into the Great Pennsylvania Outdoor Challenge and I am sitting behind the computer. I do promise to get outside today and I did enjoy exploring SB Elliot State Park on Wednesday. I hiked the Old Horse Trail, which wound through both forest and field, to a little lake, that I found to be a perfect place for contemplation. I find that I am drawn to the CCC or Civilian Conservation Corps era parks. I think it is their rustic, relaxed nature that appeals to me. I also poked around Penn Roosevelt that same day (can you tell I was driving home from western PA?). Not to forget our Goddard Era parks, I walked a portion of the bike trail at MK Goddard State Park on Tuesday, arriving early to the park before my meeting began. Guess I can sign off on those three parks in my state park and forest passport!

Hi all! “Bicyclio” here.  Isn’t that cool? Alicia decided that Musing Muses should have appropriate identities. So I, Pam, am Bicyclio – a combination of the bicycle (my true muse) and Clio, the muse of history (which is a passion of mine, too).

So you may address me accordingly in future. I like having an alter ego.

Anyway, I hope you’re managing to survive the heat. We got through last week’s horrible humidity and have had a couple of absolutely gorgeous days. The only way we managed to get through was to take the bikes down the trail and plop ourselves into the Yough.

Here’s my rousing cheer for my local park! Does your park or forest get YOU through the heat?

I could probably be tedious on the subject of the Great Allegheny Passage as it is my neighbor. Living as we do in Confluence at the “conclusion” of the part of the trail that’s within Ohiopyle State Park boundaries, we are the luckiest people around when it comes to getting out and enjoying the bounty of the state parks.

Long day yesterday, wrestling with new software. But at 6:35 pm, husband Bill and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary by hopping on the bikes and heading down to what we call “First Meadow.” First Meadow makes for a leisurely 10-mile roundtrip from the house and, again, made all the difference to how the day looked at its end.

Two elusive whitetail, a bunch of chattering chipmunks, even a great blue heron as we came back down the hill to make the turn into town. They’re good neighbors.

Happy trails,

Pam

When I am visiting a state park or state forest, I am always amazed by the interactions you see among people. They are TALKING! No TV, no cell phone, no computer to distract folks from engaging in conversation. That is what I love about a campfire–the camaraderie of the moment. I remember one campfire with my extended family where we passed around the camera for self portraits. The images were so funny, and it brings us a good laugh every time we view the pictures. Do you have a favorite memory of camping in a park or forest?

But it’s a cool place to spend a night. Pam Metzger here – Membership and Volunteer Coordinator for PPFF. Had my first yurt experience at Yellow Creek State Park last week (thanks, Friends of YC, for your hospitality and the good work you’re doing for the park) and it was great. My only regret was NOT reading the yurt description on DCNR’s website because if I had I would have realized that the YC yurts are handicapped accessible (beautifully so) and I would have taken Mapmaker Metzger (otherwise known as my husband) along with me for the experience.  Next time!

Tonight is full moon, with perfect weather for a night hike or evening paddle. We often miss the beauty of the full moon, drawn inside by the chores that always seem to be there. Hopefully, you will have time to enjoy the light of the moon this summer. Upcoming full moon dates are: July 15th, August 13th, and September 12th.

Hi, I’m Alicia Kanth, and my role at the foundation is Public Relations & Outreach Coordinator. Having taken over from the incomparable Ellen Zeph earlier this month, I am settling into my new job and loving it. Recently, my family and I visited the newly-installed Maurice K. Goddard historical marker in Camp Hill. What a beauty!

Spent a nice evening on the Susquehanna River preparing ‘our’ island for the upcoming Great River Adventure. I say ‘our’ because my family is a member of the Susquehanna River Trail Association and as members volunteer to steward a river island that is open to the public for canoe camping. The islands are actually a part of Weiser State Forest. Did you know that we have quite a few islands owned by the Bureau of Forestry that are open to camping? Nothing beats island camping, in my opinion. And while we didn’t spend the night, the near-full moon offered a beautiful back drop to the city of Harrisburg as we returned from our trek.