Saturday we traveled southwest to Pennsylvania and spent a long and enjoyable afternoon with Mike's Mom, two Aunts, and his grandmother, Gammy, who turns 99 on Monday. The time together was precious and filled with the telling, and retelling, of many amusing stories of the past. Gammy was quite the prankster and successfully pulled pranks on her daughters and husband every April Fool's day. Mike and I are so grateful we could take the day to be with them all. 
While in Williamsport, just before our family visit, I stopped by the Little League World Series field. I love baseball, but even more than the Red Sox, I love little league. I love that the kids play their hearts out and aren't even getting paid. to me, it means more than the professional game. Saturday night we headed into Somerset, PA, just south of Johnstown to spend the night. Sleep was essential so we could accomplish all we had planned for Sunday.
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As part of this trip we had brainstormed ideas for places to visit in Pennsylvania that we hadn't yet. The hiker in me has wanted to work on more of the state high point list. When I suggested a hike, Mike was happy to oblige, and support me in this endeavor. Even better, the Maryland state high point was quoted as only an hour away so we could do both! I had half thought of adding in West Virginia but decided I was pushing it. As ambitious a hiker as people believe I am, truth be told, I am not a fast hiker, and partly because I don't like to rush through the woods, I like taking my time. We headed out in the morning to find Pennsylvania's state high point upon Mt. Davis, the highest summit of Negro Mountain in the southwest corner of the state. We were taken on many backroads, came across an Amish buggy, and smiled knowing we were in Amish country. The Amish here lived right alongside the non-Amish. In the deep fog we found the picnic area and High Point Trail Head. The deep fog would keep us from any great views but the temperature was nice, the foliage was pretty, and the company sweet. The trail was only a mile and the summit easy to find as it was well marked and had a tall observation tower. Many interpretive signs at the top pointed out geological features as well as some legends of the area. Mike took some quick pictures of me reaching my 8th state high point. 
Next we headed down to Maryland's state high point found on Backbone Mountain, also in the south western part of the state. I drove while Mike navigated. We didn't have the greatest service so he did his best to find the shortest route down. At one point he directed me to take a right turn. I was reluctant because the turn would lead us down a dirt road and there were mailboxes at the end indicating it was more of a driveway. He insisted I go down and assured me that no farmer was going to come running out of the house with a shotgun yelling at me for driving on his property which was exactly what I feared. Next I feared this dirt, muddy road would damage my car with a very low carriage. I could hear our mechanic lecturing me now about driving on some bad roads.
The road turned from dirt to just a field and then to a trail in the woods. I finally insisted we turn around, there was no way I was driving through the woods. We did pass a couple who were working on their barn and they said they wondered why we were driving up past them, the last farm. I did throw Mike under the bus and blamed him and bad directional information. Turns out it was a road, but a road that had a dead end. As we turned around we passed a group of Amish folks walking through the field near the "road" and as they saw us they started laughing. I can't be sure but am guessing they were making fun of us and our reliance on technology for directions! Even the Cow grazing near the road gave us quizzical looks.
The farmers helped us navigate back to the main road and we made our way through Maryland and then to West Virginia where the trail begins. Just before arriving at the trail head we stopped by the acclaimed, maybe not so widely, smallest church and smallest post office in the lower 48 states. They were well maintained and very cute. Amazed they are still functional as well!
We found the Maryland trail head right on 219 and parked on the side of the road. Technically we would be trespassing as this was National Forest Land. There was no tape or signs to close it so inspired by Thoreau, we hiked anyway. The trail was a lot steeper than PA's but wide and very pretty with all of the foliage. We ran into one other family hiking for the day. The sun came out giving us amazing views. The top had a huge clearing and the summit was well marked with signage. There was a marker indicating the boundary of Maryland with West Virginia as well. At the top there was a mailbox with certificates for anyone who completed the climb! First time I have come across that. Mike took my picture with the number 9 indicating my 9th state high point achievement. Below are a few more pictures from the Backbone Mountain Hike:
After our two hikes and many hours exploring the area, including a stop at a gift store in the small town of Accident, Maryland, we headed back to our Motel. We didn't rest long, we headed north to Johnstown to enjoy a Mexican meal and see the movie "Gravity" in 3D. Great movie, though wish they had used unknown actors.
We headed back to Massachusetts on Sunday but included a visit to West Point Military Academy and took a guided tour of the campus. We learned many interesting historical facts, traditions, and were amazed at the beauty of this very historic site. This top picture is of the museum, we didn't have enough time to thoroughly explore all of it. It is the oldest military museum in the country.
Thanks for reading! Although I wasn't very still during the weekend, the memories made will be well worth it! Go spend time outside with our Creator :)
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