Philadelphia
Co. (7/2000)
Philadelphia.
Spent two weeks during an internship with NY Post working the
Republican Nat'l Convention. Because this city is completely
different depending on where you are, I will divide it into
neighborhoods. Two weeks is plenty of time to really get to know
a place and this will not do it justice. The people of Philly
are tough, for sure, and divided by ethnicity. A
politically-charged atmosphere existed everywhere. West
Philly. I stayed here at the University of PA. A beautiful
campus surrounded by some of the roughest neighborhoods in the
city. I was almost mugged only once. Pickpockets work the
college and yuppy hangouts to the immediate north of UPenn. It
seems that the poorer residents ride the underground trollies
while the more affluent ride the subways. South Philly. Hard-working Italian area with a
vibrant night life. Some streets are very narrow and full of
life. The stadiums are all located along Broad
Street in an inhuman, soulless complex. Central Philly. Home to the spirit of Ben
Franklin and Independence NHP. It is bustling at times,
especially around the grand City Hall, and lonely at other
times. North Philly. There is a
great view of the city from the Art Museum. A good reward for
Rocky Balboa when he finished his stair-climbing.
Independence NHP. Enjoyed walking the Mall and seeing the
grave of Franklin. My favorite stop was Christ Church, but the
crowds were gathered around Independence Hall and the Liberty
Bell (back when you could actually touch the crack before some
jerk attacked it with a hammer to hear it go ding.)
Erie
Co. (3/2003)
Erie.
Don't let the name fool you, Erie is a beautiful little city
that is bustling with activity. It is one of the better Great
Lakes cities. Presque Isle SP. This little near island
creates a haven away from Erie. The scenery along the shoreline
of Lake Erie is hard to beat. There is room for everyone. It
will not take one long to find a private place along the beach
to enjoy the breeze.
Lawrence
Co. (12/2006)
Drove through
twice along PA-60.
Beaver
Co. (12/2006)
Drove through
twice along PA-60.
Allegheny
Co. (12/2006)
Coraopolis. Slept in a hotel near the airport here. The
airport appeared out of nowhere. Like Birmingham, most of the
area is hidden in valleys. It is easy to get lost in the roads
that go up and down. Somehow, though, an airport and major
shopping centers fill what seem like impenetrable hills.
Pittsburgh.
The
city of destiny for the Old Northwest. I have twice driven
straight through without stopping (save for a traffic jam).
Despite this.
was excited to see the site of old Fort Duquesne and the
picturesque, steep
hillsides that overlook the relatively flat point where the
three rivers meet. Pittsburgh is the kind of city that would do
well in a wrestling match.... if that makes sense to you.
Westmoreland
Co. (12/2006)
Drove through this
hilly Allegheny county twice along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Somerset
Co. (12/2006)
Somerset.
I stopped over in this mining town during my second trip through
the PA Alleghenies in March of 2007. Somerset is a nice little
town. Everyone we met was very friendly. I did avoid the
Park'n'Eat that everyone recommended and stopped for an
excellent meal at the Pine Grill. The town, especially the
downtown area, feels pleasant and warm. It looks a bit like the
kind of town one might build for their model trains to circle
around. The two biggest tourist attractions were sites of
disasters. Flight 93 NM. This is the spot where one of
the four planes hijacked by terrorists on 9/11/01 went down.
Evidence suggests that the passengers took the plane down here
to thwart terrorist plans. The site on a windy hilltop, was full
of memories left by friends of victims. A chain link fence was
covered with mementos brought in by visitors. Makeshift
memorials are kept and visitors, including myself, walked around
silently, perhaps, recollecting our own experiences of that
fateful day. Eyewitnesses to the crash and recovery were on
site. They plan on building a national memorial on the site
complete with granite plaques and informational signage, but I
prefer it (at least for the time being) as it is now. It is
personal and touching. This was a real eye-opening look for me
at how the public approaches history. Shanksville. This
tiny town was the closest to the 9/11 crash.
Bedford
Co. (12/2006)
Drove through this
county twice along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The mountains are
substantial here, providing many scenic views.
Fulton
Co. (12/2006)
Drove down the
Alleghenies along I-70 to the Potomac River through this county.
Monroe
Co. (7/2007)
Delaware
Water Gap. Stroudsburg. East Stroudsburg. Bushkill.
Coming soon!
Carbon
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Luzerne
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Columbia
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Montour
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Northumberland
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Union
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Clinton
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Centre
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Clearfield
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Jefferson
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Clarion
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Butler
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Venango
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos.
Mercer
Co. (7/2007)
Passed
through along I-80 on the way home from the Poconos. |
Independence Hall in Philadelphia was the
birthplace of the U.S. It now stands in the shadows of skyscrapers.
(2000)
Lighthouse on Presque Isle near Erie. (2003)
A bridge spans the Monongahela where it meets
the Allegheny to form the mighty Ohio River in Pittsburgh.
(2006)
Each of these little angels carries the name
and memory of one hero that died on Flight 93 during the 9/11
terrorist attacks. The crash site near Shanksville was home to a
large makeshift memorial. (2007)
The Flight 93 NM reflects what is to be an
American better than most places. (2007)
The backroads of Southern Pennsylvania, like
this one in Somerset County, cut through steep Allegheny hills
often shrouded with fog.(2007)
Photos (c) 2000-2007 by S. Plencner All rights reserved. |
