Amish Quilts

The Amish community in Smicksburg holds an annual auction to raise funds for their schools and health care fund. This was the scene at the August 2018 Auction. Amish quilts are a popular fundraising item along with furniture and many other practical items like Amish buggy wagon wheels,tools, a gas engine for a washing machine and stove pipes.

Amish Auction Day

The Amish community in Smicksburg holds an annual auction to raise funds for their schools and health care fund. This was the scene at the August 2018 Auction.

Ghost Town Trail, near Heshbon, PA

Tiger Swallowtail on Joe Pye Weed

The Color Purple

Joe Pye Weed and New York Ironweed add some purple highlights to the Ghost Town Trail.

Monarch Chrysalis

In about 20 days this chrysalis will transform into an adult Monarch Butterfly.

Kayak Fisherman at Hemlock Lake

Tree Frog

We came across this juvenile Tree Frog as it was making its way from a pond to the woods where it will live until next Spring.

Christmas Tree Growers Demonstration Area

Indiana County Christmas Tree Growers Association maintains a demonstration area at Blue Spruce Park that highlights the variety of evergreen trees that are use in the Christmas tree industry.

Monarch Caterpillar

After transforming into a Monarch Butterfly this caterpillar will begin its long migration to Mexico.

Monarch Populations on the Rise?

This summer 2018 we have noticed more Monarchs than we have seen in many years. Could their populations be on the rise? Overall, Monarch populations over the past decade have fallen significantly.

And Dog Makes Four

Walking the GTT with friends is an enjoyable way to spend a summer afternoon.

The Great Map At Vintondale

Cycling Through Vintondale, PA on the Ghost Town Trail

Tom's Run Road at Pine Ridge Park

Eagle Scout Project at Hoodlebug Trail

Zach Vought recently completed an Eagle Scout project at the Hoodlebug Trail that included the installation of four interpretive signs along the trail.

The Sanborn Map at Vintondale

This large mosaic map of Vintondale is based on a Sanborn Insurance Company map produced in the 1920s. The mosaic was recently restored. It is located along the Ghost Town Trail.

Linton Park Marker

In Marion Center, PA you will find this historical marker for Linton Park, a native of the town who was known for his folk artwork. His painting, Flax Scutching Bee, is Indiana County's most famous painting. The painting is housed at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Gone Fishin'

Two young Amish boys make their way to Blue Spruce Park for a day of fishing.

Fossil Find

While looking through a shale rock embankment we came across this well-preserved fern fossil.

Maidenhair Ferns

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Seed Pod

In several weeks the seed pod of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit will turn a bright red-orange color.

Colorful Butterfly Weed

The C&I Extension on the Ghost Town Trail

A view of Cambria County's new extension of the Ghost Town Trail. This trail section is known as the C&I Extension after the Cambria & Indiana Railroad. This view was taken not far from Snake Road crossing.

Framing Auld's Run

A bridge on the Ghost Town Trail provides the setting for this view of Auld's Run. The stream suffers from a high concentration of acid mine water which turns the rocks a bright orange color. It's part of the legacy of Indiana County's mining era.

Muddy Run

A flash flood created high water at this small waterfall on Muddy Run. The stream is a tributary to Blacklick Creek and is located on the flood control area for Conemaugh Dam.

Our Season of Rain

The first several months of 2018 have proven to be very rainy and with it, Buttermilk Falls has been at full capacity on many days.

Ghost Town Trail Murals in Ebensburg, PA

At the Ghost Town Trail Trail entrance in Ebensburg, PA you will find a series of colorful murals painted by local students.

Memorial Park Concerts

Concerts are held at Memorial Park in Indiana Borough on Sunday afternoons from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The concerts in 2018 run through August 26th.