Stories from a HUSBAND - FATHER - SON - GRANDFATHER - UNCLE - BROTHER - FRIEND - TEACHER
SWEET TRAILS
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People love Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is, after all, designated as the "Sweetest Place on Earth." Twice, within the past two weeks, I've made the thirty-ish mile trip from York to Hershey, to ride the area's sweetest new attraction...a brand new, super cool mountain bike trail system located directly behind the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
My Stumpjumper resting near trail W3 on the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Trail System. -- November 3, 2018
Thanks to SAMBA (Susquehanna Area Mountain Bike Association)...the same group that put together the Parkway Trails in Harrisburg, PA...I now have another place to add to my list of local spots to mountain bike. Tim and I made our first visit to the HMC Trail System two weeks ago. Neither one of us knew exactly what to expect...but we knew that this would be something special from the moment we left the parking lot. The first thing we came across was an outdoor "lounge" equipped with chairs, recliners, a table, and trail maps. The place brought a smile to our faces before we even got onto the single track!
Just a few feet out of the parking lot, you come across this super cool "lounge" just prior to jumping onto the single track. -- November 3, 2018
This ten mile trail system is compact, twisty, and just...fun. Speaking for myself, the most surprising aspect of the trails was the condition that they were in. I visited the HMC Trail System the past two Saturday mornings...each of those mornings came after days of torrential rain. I (and I assume Tim, too) expected an absolute mud-fest. That's not what we experienced though. Any water that may have been there the day before had drained off leaving the trails in great condition...another testament to the trail building skills of SAMBA. The trail system is split into the East and West side...with the trails on each side numbered 1-5. We came across a few rock gardens...but, for the most part, Tim and I experienced nothing but fun, fast, twisty single track that was nicely marked, labeled, and expertly built into the surrounding landscape.
A map of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Trail System. You can view and download the map HERE.
The twisty trail system in incredibly well marked. The trails are categorized as BEGINNER (green), ADVANCED (blue), and EXPERT (black). -- November 3, 2018
The build-ups along the trail system are consistently perfect. -- November 3, 2018
Tim Sindlinger and I pedaling down the single track that is expertly carved into the landscape. -- November 3, 2018
Tim took this pic of me on the HMC Trail System. -- November 3, 2018
Tim Sindlinger navigating the leaf covered trails. -- November 3, 2018
Tim Sindlinger and Dave Raymond enjoying the HMC Trail System. -- November 3, 218
My Stumpjumper blending into the surrounding landscape. -- November 10, 2018
Two weeks ago, our time schedule didn't allow for Tim and I to ride more than half of the HMC Trail System...so I headed back last week on my own to ride the rest of the trails. What appeals to me the most about this new set of trails is that they are directional, well maintained, and meant for mountain biking. I also noticed that the entire area was posted as NO HUNTING. Please don't hate...(I'm not against hunting in any way, shape, or form)...but I am pretty excited to know that I now have a local place for me to do my "thing" when the hunters are out doing their "thing." And...if I have to drive to Hershey to do it...that's ok with me. Those trails are pretty sweet.
Heading home after a sweet ride on the HMC Trail System. -- November 10, 2018
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- November 15, 2018
One of my favorite Hershey memories...back in 2013, my brother, sister-in-law, and my nieces & nephew were visiting from Arizona. One of the must stops for the kids was Hershey's Chocolate World. Left to right: Jacob, Kristi, Isaac, David, Robin, Alex, Jackie, and Sophie Raymond. -- July 5, 2013
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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