Stories from a HUSBAND - FATHER - SON - GRANDFATHER - UNCLE - BROTHER - FRIEND - TEACHER
BEYOND THE TRAILS
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The ride winds down...the bikes are loaded up...ice cream is on our minds...but the day's adventure isn't always over. So many times we find ourselves mountain biking in locations that are full of history, beautiful scenery, and hidden surprises. These post-ride field trips add to the mountain biking experience, form lasting memories, and strengthen bonds of friendship. They are proof that there is more to see beyond the trail and, just because the the ride has ended...the adventure doesn't have to. Here are just a FEW of the excursions, sights, and "nerdiness" that have highlighted our mountain biking trips over the years. Enjoy!
After riding some pretty swampy and humid trails (Plantation Trail comes to mind), Mikey, Glenn, Billy, Mark and I took in the sights of the waterfalls near our campsite at Blackwater Falls, West Virgina -- June 2008
Wrapping up a cold, January ride in Governor Dick park near Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, Mark and I took time to climb up the fire tower on top of the ridge. So super cool! -- January 21, 2013
After riding in Governor Dick, Mark Lentz and I stumbled upon this ultra cook Eagle Scout project. This young man made fiber glass reproductions of how local lumber was converted to charcoal for the iron furnaces -- April 1, 2013
Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Shop is located in Caledonia State Park west of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Thaddeus Stevens was a "Radical" Republican and on of Pennsylvania's members of the House of Representatives during and after the American Civil War. He was a vocal voice for the rights of African Americans. Mark Lentz and I checked out this area after a day of mountain biking in the southern part of Michaux State Forest -- October 12, 2015
If you ride anywhere in central Pennsylvania, chances are you will ride near an old iron furnace. Greenwood Furnace is located in Greenwood Furnace State Park near State College, PA. The remains of the furnace represent what is left of a thriving village that surrounded the iron furnace from 1834-1904. -- June 28, 2014
After riding in Ohiopyle State Park you cannot help but take time to go explore the main falls in the center of Ohiopyle. Just up the road you can hike down and explore Cucumber Falls. Any trip to Ohiopyle isn't complete without a ride through the natural waters slide. Check out the video below. -- April 2009
Just down the road from Ohiopyle State Park is Fort Necessity National Battlefield. It was here, in 1754, that a young George Washington was forced to surrender (the first and only time in his career) to an overwhelming French force -- April 2009
Left: Glenn Medice and Mark Lentz exploring the covered bridge at the top of Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest, NC. Right: Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest, NC -- August 2008
During our ride in the Lehigh Valley, Kevin Hardy and I came across the "Star of Bethlehem" that sits on top of the mountain overlooking Bethlehem, Pennsylvania -- August 2010
Riding at Mount Penn near Reading, PA, Mark Lentz and I stumbled upon Kuechler's Roost. Jacob Kuechler lived on top of Mount Penn in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He would serve food, drink, and conversation with people who visited the area. So cool! -- July 2, 2014
Mark and I also visited the Pagoda and fire tower which while riding in Mount Penn. Both structures overlook the town of Reading, Pennsylvania -- July 2, 2014
Riding near Raymond B. Winter State Park, Mark Lentz, Mikey Nardelli, and I came across an ultra cool amphitheater (top) and a spring house. Both located deep in the forest -- July 13 & 14, 2011
I've written about it so many times...but I cannot leave out our constant exploration of Camp Michaux located near Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Michaux State Forest. It served as a CCC camp, a WWII prisoner of war camp, and a church camp. What an awesome place to explore! -- July 24, 2014
Mark Lentz and I spent some time exploring Penn-Roosevelt Lake in Penn-Roosevelt State Park near State College, Pennsylvania. The lake was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps -- June 27, 2014
After mountain biking the Allegrippis Trails near Raystown Lake, Mark Lentz, Mikey Nardelli and I picnicked in, and explored, Trough Creek State Park. We found this really cool (literally) ice cave -- October 14, 2013
After the ice cave, Mark, Mikey, and I hike to the top of ridge to check out the balancing rock hovering over Trough Creek State Park -- October 14, 2013
Yep...taking time out after a ride at Chickies Rock in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania! --April 13, 2014
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- February 3, 2017
It's not nature...nor is it historical...but it's pretty cool! Welcome to Dillsburg, PA. After a tough ride at Camp Tuckahoe, Mark Lentz and I made it a point stop and take a pic with the Dillsburg Pickle -- July 3, 2013
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You can find all of our ride pics and trail maps on the ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM website and, as always, here's a list of GARMIN maps and stats from a few of the rides featured in this post:
(January 21, 2013) Mountain biking at GOVERNOR DICK with Mark Lentz
(October 14, 2013) Mountain biking the ALLEGRIPPIS TRAILS with Mark and Mikey
(July 2, 2014) Mountain biking at MOUNT PENN with Mark Lentz
(June 27, 2014) Mountain biking in ROTHROCK STATE FOREST with Mark Lentz
A day off of the bicycle doesn't mean a day spent inside. With the end of summer in view, and the school year encroaching soon, I took my sixteen year old son, Alex, and his buddies (Robby and Austin) to Michaux State Forest for a day of hiking, picnicking, and exploring. Our day today was split into three parts. We planned to hike up through Tumbling Run Game Preserve, have a picnic lunch at the furnace stack in Pine Grove Furnace State Park , and then hike up to the top of Pole Steeple. Although the trail head at Tumbling Run is not marked, it is easy to get to if you know what you are looking for. After passing Pine Grove Furnace State Park on state route 233 (headed South) you will be looking for a obvious gravel parking area located on the right between Woodrow Road and Dead Woman's Hollow Road. It is important to know that the last "nice" bathrooms are located at the furnace stack at Pine Grove Furnace ...
My wife took me to Alaska this year. I had never been to that part of the world, nor have I ever seen such immense natural beauty in my entire life. For our 10th wedding anniversary we took a six day cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Alaska and back. Along the way, we visited the Alaskan cities of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. We took a train ride into Yukon Territory, Canada. We saw whales, bald eagles, and countless salmon. Robin and I had the opportunity to hike along Bennett Lake, explore Glacier Bay National Park, and sail through Tracy’s Arm Inlet. It truly was one of the “bucket-list” trips that I could only dream of and it was fitting that I got to visit the 49th state during my 49th year on the planet. Thank you, Sweetheart! Robin and David Raymond. Welcome to Alaska! -- July 18, 2023 David and Robin Raymond in Tracy's Arm Inlet -- July 17, 2023 Approaching a glacier in Tracy's Arm Inlet -- July 17, 2023 ...
In the early 1980s my mom and dad began taking my brother, Jake, and I camping at Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland, Maryland . During the summer months we seemingly went every weekend. I loved it there. Rocky Gap was just a short drive from our home in Bedford, Pennsylvania. We spent our days playing on the beach and fishing in the lake. My mother made incredible meals for us at the campground and each evening my dad would make a campfire. The campfire was my favorite part. My dad made mountain pies, my mom would make popcorn over the fire, and my brother and I would roast marshmallows and hot dogs. Our camping trips ended in the late 80s when both my brother and I reached high school. Our schedules were just too hectic. That was the last I would see of Rocky Gap for 25 years. Rocky Gap State Park and campgrounds sits at the base of Evitts Mountain in western Maryland -- May 30, 2016 When I began dating m...
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