Rocky Overhang

The view up on the path to Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

Along the Trail

Alpha Trail in McConnells Mill State Park in Pennsylvania. Sorry I have not posted in awhile; my job is starting to consume more and more of my free time.

Snowed In

We received around 19 inches of snow this weekend and our driveway will finally be plowed later this afternoon. This has been the largest snow fall here in 17 years. I hope everyone is keeping warm as there have been widespread power outages in the area. We have been lucky in this regard and we wish everyone well.

The above image was taken in December when there was a few inches of snow. Hopefully sometime soon we will make it to the parks.

McConnells Mill

History
Daniel Kennedy constructed the first gristmill along Slippery Rock Creek in 1852. Several years later it was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt in 1868. In 1875 Captain Thomas McConnell purchased the mill and replaced the water wheel and grinding stones with more modern water turbines and rolling mills. According to the DCNR website, it processed corn, oats, wheat and buckwheat for local customers. Eventually it closed in 1928.

When Captain Thomas McConnell died, the mill was passed to his son James McConnell. Since James had no children at the time of his death years later, the property was given to the grandson of Captain McConnell, Thomas H. Hartman. Wishing the area to be preserved for future generations, Thomas H. Hartman transferred ownership of the mill and land to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in either 1942 or 1946. McConnells Mill State Park was formally dedicated in October of 1957 and in May 1974 the U.S. Department of the Interior designated it a National Natural Landmark. Currently the park covers around 2546 acres and is considered one of the "Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks." The land is also designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area for its outstanding value to bird conservation.

Source and More Info:
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wikipedia, Great Natural Areas in Western Pennsylvania, National Registry of Natural Landmarks (PDF), Slippery Rock University - Online Rocket, Audubon Pennsylvania

Bench

This is an image of one of the many benches along Kildoo Trail in McConnells Mill.

Happy New Year!

Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

Green and White

A snowy picture of Slippery Rock Creek along the Kildoo Trail in McConnells Mill.

Upgrade

Last week I was pleasantly surprised to receive a new camera after a family dinner. Apparently a few of our relatives pooled money together for a Nikon Coolpix P90. I can't express how delighted I am with it.

This is the first post with a photo taken with the new camera. If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow, I wish everyone Happy Holidays!