Blue Spring Park

The next installment in my occasional series about Center Region Parks focuses on Blue Spring Park in Boalsburg, PA. 

Featuring three ball fields, this is a great place to get together for a fun pickup game of baseball or softball. One field is a little more well maintained than the others, but for a game with friends and family, either will work.

A pretty, mowed path will take you to the cemetery. You will see multiflora rose, phlox and raspberry along the path.

While the playground is not the most exciting one ever, the swings, traverse wall, crazy slide and spider web will provide at least an afternoon of fun for all ages.

There's an educational component here as well, where you can learn about riparian zones. Be careful as you approach the stroller accessible observation deck, you may surprise a frog!

Weeping willows, jack pine and maple surround the perimeter of the park, which is welcoming to all kinds of wildlife. Watch for bunnies and abundant birds.

There are several paths to Blue Spring along the north west edge of the park, but do be sure to do a thorough tick check if you choose to explore this undisturbed part of the park.

The outfield of the best maintained ball field is multipurpose and serves as a lacrosse field in the spring and a soccer field in the fall.

A pavilion and basketball court complete the amenities.

Do be sure to abide by all posted rules and policies, and stop by for a picnic and play time whenever you're in the area.

Smiles and wandering always,
Jeannie

Lemonade

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

There are a million clichés and quotes about making the best of a situation. My situation is that I messed up my ankle a week and a half ago. The technical specifications are still TBD, but for now I'm in a walking boot (better than crutches!), and limited to paved terrain.

I signed up for the 365 mile challenge, a Facebook group/new years goal of moving my body under my own power at least 365 miles this year. My original plan was for a few short hikes/walks during the week and to hit longer trails on the weekends, mixing in canoeing and biking as well. No problem!

Well, now I have had to rethink how I'm going to accomplish this goal.

But I have a new plan!

My new plan is to hike at least a mile in every park in the Centre Region. There are 81 all told. I have a spreadsheet and I'm ready to do this!

What to join me for your special park? Let me know and we'll find a time.  :)

What will you do today?

What will you do today, that you will be grateful for in six months (or a year)?

It may be one small thing, going for a run, or a workout at the gym, making a better nutrition choice, being mindful, paying attention to your spouse, significant other or kids, making the doctors appointment, connecting with friends, saving instead of spending... whatever it is, pick one thing and do it, just for today.

Lower rhymes with flower

The Lower Trail is a 16.5  mile rail-trail along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River.

A Rail Trail, is an old railroad that has been re-purposed as a multi-use trail. In more hospitable weather you can find people walking, running, riding bikes and riding horses along the trail. Since trains require flat, wide, tracks, converted railroads tend to be very easy to hike. Typically, you won't find steep grades or rocky terrain. Rather wide paths of crushed gravel or grass, with gentle slopes are the norm.

On a cold  (10°F) Saturday morning in January, we pulled into the Alfarata Station trailhead parking area. This is also the northern terminus of the Lower Trail.  There is plenty of parking and a pit toilet, as well as signs and benches. Due to the extremely cold weather and the possibility for snow and ice on the ground, a rail trail made perfect sense, for my second hike of the year.

The only downside, at least with this path, is that there really aren't any side trails for doing loops. Straight out and backs, or point to point is your only option.

There are however, a number of Boy Scout Eagle projects along the path, including benches, beacons, bird houses and educational signage about the history and ecology of the trail. These make the extremely non-technical trail very informative and entertaining.

Trails near water tend to be great for spotting birds and this one never disappoints. We saw ducks, Bluejays, and a woodpecker. I also tagged cardinals and a red tailed hawk on the way home.

Take a moment...

Always take a moment at the top of the mountain, to appreciate how far you've come.

"Of all the paths in life you take..."

Of all the paths in life you take, make sure a few of them are dirt.

- John Muir

Quick tips for winter hydration

□ don't use a bladder system (platypus/ camelbak) - the water in the tube/mouthpiece will freeze, and if the water in the bladder freezes, it may puncture the bladder.

□ use a water bottle (wide mouth works well)

□ flip your water bottle upside down when storing it.  The surface of the water will freeze, but since it'll be in the bottom of your bottle, you will still be able to drink out of it.

□ the newer double walled water bottles are great (though super heavy) in cold weather. (Hydro, yeti)

□ don't forget to drink! Staying hydrated is key to staying warm.

□ if you use a water filter, keep your filter warm/don't let it freeze with water in it. It will be useless until you can thaw it out.