LOCATION
I reside in the state I so affectionately refer to as the "Home to Amish and Cornfields", Pennsylvania. More precisely, the small obscure town of Huntingdon.
A little background into the area in which I live. Population hovering around the 6,800 mark, Huntingdon is the county seat. Geographic settings are very rural and intimate,surrounded by numerous mountain ridges and undeveloped forest acreage. Although we are small, we offer more than most "Mayberry" type towns. Economically driven by numerous well known industries and two State Correctional facilities, many people make a respectable living here. Huntingdon also is home to a small private but very upstanding college, Juniata College. Top notch educational resources await you. Leisure activities can be spent shopping, dining, movies, hitting the links at one of two golf courses, catching a movie or visiting the recreational park.. Should you happen to injure yourself participating in one of these "leisure activities", we also have a fine medical institution, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital. We are a very family orientated town--many might say Huntingdon reminds them of a place pulled right out of Norman Rockwell.
Hunting and fishing are also a common pastime. I proudly boast to many of the lake I call "my second home". Within a few minutes drive, I am enveloped into my own little world, Lake Raystown is my *escape*. In my opinion, nothing can surpass its breathtaking beauty in this area. Lake Raystown is the largest manmade lake in Pennsylvania, offering the largest marina--docking some 800 boats--pulling in thousands of tourists each year. Its popularity grows every year with its outstanding marina and resort facilities, without being over commercialized. You are offered a broad range of choices in activities. Anything from guided boat tours, waterpark, parasailing, to nature trails and lounging on the beach. Lake Raystown can be as interactive or as laid back as you want it to be. If it sounds like I love it here, it's because I truly do. Some of my most memorable experiences took place here. My most productive brainstorming is done here. I have spent countless hours sitting along the shoreline contemplating my life. It's as close to a spiritual moment as I can experience. Give me a residence lakeside and I'll be in heaven! One day, I also intend to acquire a boat (pontoon, cabin cruiser or ski boat, oh my ) so that I may take full advantage of what the Lake Raystown has to offer. So often I hear "all a boat is, is a hole in the water you sink your money into". I can't think of a better way to sink it. The hum of an outboard just drives me wild!
Another local destination of pleasure for me would be that of where I literally grew up, ALCC-American Legion Country Club. Although I no longer attempt to golf, I still feel at home on the course. Its appeal to me could parallel that of the lake, with its beautiful natural surroundings and its choice in activities without being over commercialized. ALCC is a private course, offering 18 holes--par 74-- #7 signature hole of a par 6, also including swimming and dining facilities.
On a personal level, this course holds something of a family legacy. My father's father held the position of course superintendent years before my father took over. A loyal dedicated worker, my own father has been with the ALCC for over 15 years now. And over the years, numerous other relatives made their professions here, from my grandmother holding the position as a fine cook, to my aunt in charge of the books, and a cousin working the pro shop, yet another as lifeguard. Although I never held a formal position with the ALCC, I assisted as a teen with various events, or at the very least, keeping my cousin company poolside from dawn until dusk.
When I recall fond memories from my childhood, many include activities that took place here. The mischief my partners in crime and I would get ourselves into during the biggest tournaments of the year.( yes, we were the ones that let the air out of the cart tires! statute of limitations is up though! ) Learning to scuba dive in the pool from the local volunteer fireman. The nights spent lying on the tees watching the skies for U.F.Os. The off-season afternoons spent playing football on the fairways with the "big boys." Sledriding down #9. As you can see, the ALCC played an integral part in my past and still does today.
Many may ask, "well, why don't you golf?" As a late teen, I did attempt it for a time, but I lacked the skill, and more importantly, the patience to play the game. I was/am just as happy being a part of the game as a participant in the "peanut gallery." I absolutely love the sport and the social environment that surrounds it. And on beautiful fall afternoons, there is nothing quite as relaxing than to sit at #18 green and admire the beauty of the opposing ridge on fire in brilliant foliage colors. "Reminisce.." Both these areas reflect my preferred destinations for when I want to relax. Opposite of that are the areas I seek out when I need more "stimulation"; and to do that, I need to travel a little further away from home. Those closest and most visited by me, are Altoona and State College. Both being an approximate 35 minute drive away, they offer a better variety of dining, shopping and entertainment. I know the trek to Altoona well. I'm not much of a shopper, you won't ever find me becoming giddy over the prospects of spending the day at the mall, but when I find myself in need of something, these are the places in which I have to go. Also the best movie complexes are located here, which is another activity I thoroughly enjoy. Catching an average of one movie a week--City of Angels being at the top of my *all time fav* list right now--with 15 separate movies to choose from at the least. Altoona also offers two small amusement parks, Bland's Park and Lakemont (a footnote for rollercoaster historian/enthusiasts; Lakemont Park is the proud home to the world's oldest wooden rollercoaster,Leap the Dips ), that my son and I enjoy visiting, just don't make me ride anything or I'll lose my lunch! Lunch, that takes us to our next topic, dining. I'm not one to frequent fancy restaurants, but the gamut of places to indulge in are offered here.
Now, State College offers a similar but uniquely different atmosphere. You will still find many of the same entertainment options here as with Altoona, but for those of you that may not be familiar, State College is home to our pride and joy, Penn State Nittany Lions. ( Go Joe! ) Therefore, you find a more college orientated, football fanatic atmosphere here. And because of the college, you will encounter a more diverse mix of ethnicity and culture. State College is more upscale all around. If you are ever in the area though, do your best to avoid coming through during a Saturday home game..."oy, the traffic!"
If you also don't mind a bit of a drive, Huntingdon is situated just a couple hours away from many of your major metropolitan areas. Harrisburg, our state capital, is only two hours away. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia respectively about three- to- four hours opposing directions from here. And my all time favorite, Baltimore Maryland, just three hours south. We are also approximately three hours north of our Nation's Capital, Washington D.C.. So, you see, when the need for REAL culture strikes, these journeys are just a day's outing away.
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