An day drive around the lovely Kimberton area of Chester County. As they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
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An old ruin along a creek, near the Kennedy Covered Bridge The “Historical” Seven Star Inn A couple of hooved friends on a warm winter’s day …. They are everywhere this time of year. Really nice barn Struble Lake in northwestern Chester County – definitely not in Kimberton. -
The Leaman’s Place Covered Bridge spans Pequea Creek. A county-owned and maintained bridge, it is also known as Eshelman’s Mill Covered Bridge and Paradise Bridge. The bridge has a single span and a wooden, double Burr arch truss design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The land that the Leaman’s Place Covered Bridge is situated on was settled by the family of Mary Ferree in 1712, a land grant by William Penn in an area inhabited by the Pequaws Indians. It was not until 1845 that James C. Carpenter built the covered bridge across the Pequea Creek at a cost of $933. In 1893. Elias McMellan rebuilt the covered bridge at a cost of $2,431. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2004.
Pequea Creek And for something different … Dutch Haven, a well known landmark on Route 30 with a great bakery and gift shop.
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They say that the golden hour just before sunset produces some of the best pictures. I’m not sure that I agree. In an overcast climate like Pennsylvania, low light can produce some problems for photography. A recent trip to eastern Lancaster County was something of a mixed bag.
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This week we are taking a look at Green Lane Park, a location I have visited many times before. I usually go there to view waterfowl. This spot could be so much better, though. There is a long shoreline here, but only a few spots are safe to pullover and observe wildlife. Several times, I saw waterfowl but I was unable to stop and get a better look. These shots are from within the park, around Green Lane, and along Route 29.
This post also contains photos that are part of my experimental old tech efforts. I used an Olympus D380 of mine to take these shots. This camera is a 2 MP “beast” and was released in March, 2002. It does tend to overexpose on auto settings.
Ott’s Exotic Plants in Schwenksville 
The Duck Inn in Graterford -
I have been working on doing a little more film photography these days, which is something I haven’t done much of in over 20 years. The experiment started with a Lomography 120 film camera which is a little more than a toy. I have never used 120 film before, so I didn’t know what to expect. The results weren’t too awful – kind of arty in a good way, including some interesting double exposures. These are views around Tredyffin Township, Chester County. Better pictures will return soon. LOL
A bit of a double exposure here. 
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I swung by some bridges in Northumberland County on my way to visit relatives. The Himmel’s Church Covered Bridge crosses over Schwaben Creek on Middle Creek Road, east of Rebuck, Northumberland County. It was built in 1874, and rehabilitated in 1973. It is a King post truss style wooden covered bridge, with a length of 44 feet. It currently remains in use to automobile traffic.
The Bridge is located near the site of the Schwaben Creek werewolf, according to local folklore. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 8, 1979. It has a unique candy stripe color scheme in addition to the King post architecture which gives it a distinctive look.
Keefer Station Covered Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge located at Upper Augusta Township in Northumberland County. It is a 109 foot long, Burr arch truss bridge, constructed in 1888. It crosses the Shamokin Creek. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The open spaces under the eaves also give this bridge a unique look.
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Here is a look around the area near my aunt’s farm in Greenwood Township, Columbia County from the opening weekend of rifle deer season. Sadly, no one had any luck that weekend.
Some curious cattle on my grandparent’s old farm. 
Muddy Run runs through the farm. 
The neighbors have a nice looking eagle carving. 
My cousin’s house is quite windy, and the flag takes a beating. It has to be replaced often. 
The pond at this property is relatively new. 
One of the fanciest dairy farms in the County (no relation). -
A drive through Berks and Schuylkill Counties this past Autumn provided some scenic views. First up is the Zimmerman Covered Bridge in Schuylkill County. Originally built in 1880, it is 65 feet long.
Zimmerman Covered Bridge 
The familiar Burr Arch Truss construction. 
A neat old shed. 
Are you looking at us? 
These cows do not seem to care. The Dreibelbis Station Bridge is a 172 foot long Burr arch truss covered bridge spanning Maiden Creek south of Lenhartsville, Berks County. The bridge was built in 1869 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1981. Another Berks bridge with a hex sign – I love it.
A pretty farm property 
Kutz’s Mill Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge located at Greenwich Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It is a 93 foot long, Burr Truss bridge, constructed in 1854. It crosses the Sacony Creek. As the name implies, it leads to the Kutz Mill. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Kutz’s Mill Covered Bridge 
Kutz’s Mill The Rock Covered Bridge is a single-span Burr arch truss 55 feet 7 inches over Little Swatara Creek in Schuylkill County.
Rock Covered Bridge 
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Shikellamy State Park is an unusual park in that it contains two distinctly different sections. It also affords great views of the two branches of the Susquehanna River (the West Branch and the North Branch ). The Park is in both Union and Northumberland counties. The 54-acre Shikellamy Marina is on the southern tip of Packers Island at the confluence of the West Branch and North Branch Susquehanna River, and offers hiking and biking trails, a marina, and boat launch. The 78-acre Shikellamy Overlook is on the western shore of the Susquehanna River. A 360-foot cliff overlooks the confluence of the two branches of the river.
Although the marina area seemed more popular with Labor Day party goers, I was more impressed with the views on the overlook side.
A look toward the Marina. 
A look down over the edge. 
The West Branch on the left. 
The town of Northumberland. The Marina Section provides great access to the water as well as picnicking opportunities.
A butterfly garden 
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Heading south from Tioga County to find a couple of the more urban state parks, I first went in search of a covered bridge in Lycoming County that I had missed on a previous trip. This bridge was on private property, so only a distant shot was possible. The James S. Fink covered bridge was built in 1986 utilizing a Stringer truss design. It crosses Larry’s creek in Anthony Township. The structure is 62 feet long and is open to vehicle traffic, but it is on a private road.
Susquehanna State Park is a 20-acre riverfront recreational area is in the city of Williamsport. The Williamsport Chamber of Commerce operates this park in cooperation with the state. It is primarily a location for river access for boating and fishing. There are also opportunities for picnicking, wildlife watching, and gongoozling (google it). It is next to the boarding point for the riverboat Hiawatha.
Labor Day chill by the river. 
The boat ramp 
The Lance Corporal Abram Howard Memorial Bridge Milton State Park is an 82-acre island on the West Branch Susquehanna River, between the boroughs of Milton and West Milton. The northern half of the park has day use facilities and the southern half remains in a wooded state for hiking and nature study. It also has a boat launch, playground and extensive soccer fields.
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