ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

I'm probably the most focused when I'm on my bicycle.  Still, even when I'm turning the pedals, MY FASCINATION WITH SQUIRRELS often pulls my attention towards unexpected roadside attractions.  It's okay...I don't ride for KOMs (that's "King Of The Mountain" for those non-STRAVA people out there)...I ride because it's a passion and I want to have fun.  Pausing to investigate all the stuff which is often easily missed by those who fly past it the highway allows me the opportunity to get engage my inner-nerd, enhance my ride, feed my passion, and add to my enjoyment.  So, in no particular order, here are just a few of the super kool (and sometimes completely unexpected things) I've come across on my many bicycle breaks.  Enjoy! You'll find this grave of an unknown Confederate soldier along the Susquehanna River in York County, Pennsylvania just north or Wrightsville.  The solder would have been a member of Jubal Early 's divisio...

It's been exactly two months since I've been on either of my bicycles.  That's quite the cycling hiatus for me.  I'll always remember 2016 as the year of my two back surgeries...the first in March and the second in November . I am, however; pretty amazed at all I've been able to do and see and experience in 2016 considering the amount of time I've been relegated to my couch the last nine months.  In between two significant recovery periods I purchased a new mountain bike, made almost a dozen trips to Michaux State Forest, hiked (and biked) some pretty amazing stuff in Arizona, made a couple trips to Patapsco Valley State Park, returned to Rattling Creek for the first time in five years, toured the Gettysburg National Military Park, hiked in the mountains of North Carolina and western Maryland with my wife, made numerous trips to Rocky Ridge County Park, and played on the Allegrippis Trail System at Raystown Lake. One of my favorite pics of the past ...

American Standard Trail, located near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is one of the most famous mountain biking trails in Pennsylvania.  Mountain bikers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to ride this rocky, twisty, 18+ mile single track just to see (and more than likely take a selfie with) the American Standard urinal that somehow managed to find it's way eight miles deep into forests of eastern Pennsylvania! American Standard Trail .  Dave R, Glenn M, Mike N, Mark L, Bill G, & Kevin H -- 2008 Needless to say...it's not everyday that  you find a "bathroom" in the middle of the woods...and it's the reason why I've come to appreciate trailheads that have public facilities.  Spending as much time as I do in the woods, I fully understand that the restrooms in state forests, state parks, & county parks can be sketchy at best.  My first memory of experiencing a DCNR (that's Pennsylvania Department of  Conservation & Natural Resources) ...