Fall 2013 -- Came and Went

Now that all the color has gone but Winter isn't officially here, 

I thought it was a good time (better late than never) to 

post the good days of Fall 2013~

The 'pop' of red adds character all around!

My subject was to be the random round bales of hay, but the 

John Deere couldn't be missed.

Wait!

Maybe the sky was really the subject....

Fall (or Winter, or Summer, or Spring) is never missed at King's Gap!

with is being so close to home, I make random trips up the mountain 

just to experience the solitude and beauty.

The water tower is my all-time favorite!

On this day, the frogs in the pond were silenced. 

See you next Summer!

Character and Charm

The Oak Leaf Hydrangea has become my new favorite plant!

Ahhhhhh,

Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania

Home Sweet Home!

Kings Gap

SOOTC

[straight out of the camera]

Don't you love how our whole society is now an acronym!

Every area has its own language, even photography.

During a fun filled afternoon at the local mountain park of Kings Gap I snapped this butterfly when he decided to finally land and pose.  

The Summer flowers are starting to see the end of their days.

Some are still vibrant but there are a few that are losing their color and are tired of fighting the heat.

Trekking the mountain

Any way you can get there....

Kings Gap 2010

It was a Fall day.

It was a breezy day.

It was a beautiful day.

Down?  Dreary?  Ho Hum? 

Visit Kings Gap and admire Cumberland County, Pennsylvanin!

It was a cold blistery day upon the mountain....

Kings Gap in the Winter. Cold, windy, biting, chilling.

Breathtaking

Quite the view.....

Frogger

Can you spot the croakers? Soon we'll be able to find some frogs again. We spotted these guys last summer singing a few songs.

The water tower at Kings Gap

I trekked back up the moutain to Kings Gap to check out the water tower that I am so curious about. With all the leaves off the trees it was much easier to acquire a better snapshot of the full tower. The wooden storage tank atop the brick tower holds 10,000 gallons of water. From my understanding water is pumped to the tank from a nearby well and then gravity goes to work after that providing water to all the buildings on the property. In the Summer this tank grows mossy from the moisture and even seems to drip endlessly. I've wondered if the tower remains in use over the winter. If you check out the huge icicle in one of my shots you can tell there's still a water source. It's now taped off so again my curiosity grows wondering if some kind of construction or repairing will soon start on the structure. Would you be aprehensive going through the green door with all that water above your head? Maybe one of these days I'll have the opportunity to have a peak inside but will my curosity end there?

Stability?

Kings Gap - My World Tuesday

Today's post is once again of one of my most favorite spots close to home. It's Kings Gap Environmental State Park located close to Newville and Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It sits on top of the mountain over looking Cumberland County. The mansion located here was once a Summer home to a local family. Today it offers many hiking trails over 1400 acres and wildlife watching opportunities by the dozens. Classes of all kinds are offered from 'going green' to how saw-whet owls migrate. Even star gazing and master gardening skills can be conquered here. Several times a year the mansion is opened to the public for tours. Other special buidings on the property that are sometimes overlooked are the carriage house that has a pulley drawn elavator to lift the horse drawn wagons and in the same building is where the horses were kept. Another special place is the water tower that was used for the home. Of course through time modern plumbing and wells were eventually put to use but venturing around the grounds takes you back in time. It's a treasured gem close to home and the spectacular views of the farm laden valley are breathtaking especially at sunset. Each season offers it's own uniqueness but my personal favorite is in the Fall. -- I've blogged many times of this location and probably will return here yet again. Click HERE to go to My World Tuesday and take a trip around the world.

Bring back the colors

It's cold and blustery here in my little corner of Pennsylvania. I miss Fall today. The colors, the warmth, the adventures. I find myself staying in doors and not even grabbing my camera. I was so curious about this water tower and wondered what happens to it when the weather is frightful and freezing. I hope to get myself out and about to find out that answer. It's 'just' a water tower but it's so old and still used. It leaks terribly at the top and who would be brave enough to enter the room below? I'm thinking it may only be used for the magnificint garden that is below it and it's emptied through the Winter months. The colors this year were pristine everywhere I turned. Even those pesky weeds brought about the most vivid colors. This is from Kings Gap that I frequently have posted about. When I'm anxious to get out there I always seem to return to this place.

Christmas at Kings Gap

Back to Kings Gap again. You'd think I really liked that place. You'd be right! Here are a few ornaments that reflect their outdoor charms. They were the cutest things. I especially like the one with pheasant feathers. Growing up the fields around my home were filled with pheasants and rabbits but --'those were the days'.... I can't remember the last time I saw a pheasant in the wild. What a beautiful bird that has dwindled due to urban sprawl.......

This is the back porch at Kings Gap. Oh what a view! I've claimed this corner bedroom because of the open windows on two side of the room. It would be great to wake up there to the views of Cumberland County.

Kings Gap tour

Some more pics from Kings Gap today. Many of the old bathroom fixtures are still being used. The sinks, the claw tubs and even the hanging toilet box. Much of the plumbing has been upgraded but they somehow still used some of the fixtures. This makes this place all the more remarkable.

Almost every room has a fireplace. They make you feel warm and cozy but boy I wouldn't want to be the one hauling the wood in to burn. Today most of the fire places have fake burning logs but they still are quite spectaular.

Fall to Winter

I attended Kings Gap State Park Holiday open house again today. I enjoy trekking there each year to tour the mansion and take in the scenery. There's just something that draws me there. Today's pic is of road leading up to the mansion both in the Fall and today with all the color missing. The other pics are a small frozen pond and a Christmas table decoration. As always this place was a charm. Today was special because we could take a tour inside the mansion and enjoy history it contains.

Happy Fall

So today was the first day of Fall. My most favorite time of the year. This is when the sunsets are the most beautiful, the mountains shout out "look at me!", and I'm in awe everyday of God's beautiful Earth. These pics are from the local mountainside by Kings Gap. It's a must see in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Overlooking the valley below is inspiring and reminds you of just how beautiful a world we live in. The mansion at Kings Gap will be the location of my 50th Anniversary party. --(in another 25 years!!!)