Daniel_Williams

Hi,

This short trip report is to describe a recent road trip from northern Virginia, where my parents live, to where my nephew was getting married in Mifflinburg, Pa, nearer his now-wife’s family between Harrisburg and Williamsport. Although I’ve been in Pennsylvania on numerous occasions, this trip had me travelling through an area due north of Harrisburg I’d not seen before.

The highway in this area had us driving right next to the Susquehanna River for many miles. This scenery is exceptionally beautiful, with the river quite wide, verdant forested hills sloping up from the shores, some lighter green islands (periodically with blooming flowers) and occasionally rapids to admire. I must say as I travel, I’ve really come to appreciate rivers, with some remarkably lovely ones in North America from the Grijalva to the Potomac, the Columbia and Colorado to the Saint Lawrence and Humber Arm, and the Susquehanna is exceptional among the group for the beauty it offers. Moving away from the river toward Mifflinburg had us passing several Amish men with suspenders and hat riding bicycles along a bucolic country road’s shoulder as well as one woman with a bonnet on a side road with a two-horse buggy where it looked like the two horses were disagreeing about their direction of forward travel and she was struggling to maintain control. Mifflinburg itself struck me as well, quaint, if a bit abandoned, with homes dating from the late 19th and early 20th century, a taste in a way of an America of yesteryear.

Happy summer 2023 travels! Daniel

TDudette

Thanks, Daniel. How long did the drive take? PA is a big state! Rhody and I drove to the Lancaster and Gettysburg areas (2 different trips) and loved the scenery.

Daniel_Williams

Hi tdudette

It was about 3h20min from Falls Church to Mifflinburg. Pennsylvania is indeed big and even though it’s one of the states I‘ve visited many times in my life, I feel there are vast swathes I know nothing about. From childhood visits involving failed attempts to teach me to ski at Ski Liberty and Seven Springs, to seeing the site of the battle of Gettysburg, to numerous football games and reunions in Easton during my teenage years where my father did his undergraduate studies at Lafayette College and I discovered birch beer would be an acquired taste that I would not acquire to about a dozen trips to Philadelphia and two to Pittsburgh and yet this striking area of the Susquehanna River Valley seemed like a discovery! Wishing you an enjoyable continuation of summer! Daniel

Christina

thanks for the report. I live in the area and admit I've never been on that route because whenever I go north, I just am taking I81 east from Harrisburg to go to either Scranton or to Allentown/NJ. I love to go skiing at Roundtop, but it's before you get to Harrisburg (near Dillsburg).

sassy27

I am further East but you had me a birch beer. I remember drinking that often when I was a kid.

I’ve been wanting to take a weekend to head to Gettysburg which can be done as a day trip but I find so much to do. It is nice to see a trip report about an area that isn’t far from me. I then find even more places to visit or do.

Daniel_Williams

Christina, sassy27–Thanks for reading!

I’ve only had birch beer once at about age 13 and finding it vile, especially probably as I was expecting something like a root beer or a more typical cola. Interesting for me to see someone drinking it as a kid; maybe I’ll give it a try again sometime.

sassy27

I grew up being with my grandparents a lot. I was exposed to a lot of things most kids wouldn't have with them being a lot older than me. My Grandmom would have hard root beer candies shaped like barrels. My Grandpop loved takaboost which I thought was gross. However, I liked Sasperalla. We got it at some bottling place as they came in wood crates which we would return with the used bottles. I think this was all regional so good memories.

TDudette

Have you visited Havre de Grace and Chesapeake City, Daniel? I'm not sure about public transportation to either, but they are interesting.

My family lived across the Bay from Aberdeen in Betterton (which lies almost at the mouth of the Sassafrass). The Bay water is almost fresh there. On the Sassafrass, Georgetown (Md not Del) is picturesque and historic.
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Daniel_Williams

Hi tdudette—

No, I’ve not visited any of the places you mention although every time Amtrak passes over Havre de Grace on the Baltimore to Wilmington route, I’ve told myself I’d like to spend some time there. For decades now, but never have.

Best wishes Daniel

TDudette

Both towns have been blessed with concerted renewal efforts. Rhody and I took a skip jack ride out of HdG, and were very impressed by a ship passing by in the very narrow canal in CC! CC got a grant from Rockefeller Foundation.

tomfuller

I owned one of those early 20th century houses in Mifflinburg during the 1990's to 1984 (428 Market). Which church in Mifflinburg was the wedding at? Mifflinburg is still known as "buggytown" with the buggy museum up on Green Street.
I hope you got the chance to see some of the Bald Eagle State Forest. I worked and recreated there for nearly 36 years.

schmerl

Sassy27, I always loved those root beer barrel candies and also like birch beer.
Daniel, thanks for the report.

Daniel_Williams

Tomfuller—The wedding took place at the Rusty Rail venue. Alas, I was not able to explore the area or even town much. I had about 10 minutes free from activities where I was able to walk around the vicinity of the Rusty Rail.

schmerl— You’re welcome. Thanks for reading!

tomfuller

Previous uses for the building where the Rusty Rail is now were a kitchen cabinet manufacturer and before that where they made the real wood door sides for "Woodies". Some buggies and buggy whips were made there. The last train through Mifflinburg was in the early 1960's. Some of the old RR grade through the Bald Eagle State Forest is used as a great hiking trail.