Are you one of the people who can’t wait to see the fall colors? I know I am one of them.  I guess we all have a favorite month of the year.  October is mine.  I was born October 15, 1931, and the month has a lot to offer—nice weather, soft, cool days, sunshine, but not too hot or cold.  Fortunately, for those of us who live in Pennsylvania, there are miles and miles of colorful vistas within a couple of hours of driving time. 

Beyond our rolling hills lie other spectacular scenes in western Maryland, eastern Ohio, southwestern New York and West Virginia.

In western Pennsylvania, you can expect the best and most vibrant foliage from early to mid-October.  One of the best Autumn Leaf Festivals is held in Clarion, Pa.  It is estimated that it draws a quarter of a million visitors annually. 

Why not take a trip to McConnells Mills State Park, which is famous for its grist mill and hiking trails?  Also, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh is Ferncliff Peninsula in Ohiopyle State Park.  You haven’t lived until you navigated the white water rapids at Ohiopyle.

As a young boy, I always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail.  It starts in Maine and ends in Georgia.  It’s no short trip.  To hike the 2,175-mile long trail, one must be in good shape.  But what a great adventure it would be.

For those who prefer to ride, there are fall foliage trains.  The Pocono Mountain area has an excursion that chugs through some great mountain scenery.

It’s also great to hit the road.  I found an old article from the Post-Gazette from August 27, 1995.  It was written by Bob Batz and describes a trip over Rte 88.  He went through some great old town like Finleyville, New Eagle, Monongahela, Charleroi and California.

You can also hop a bus.  Many bus companies offer fall trips.  Let them do the driving.

Finally, if fall foliage doesn’t interest you, there’s always Oktoberfest, which isn’t just for Germans anymore and begins this year in Munich on September 22 and lasts until October 7.  People from all over the world flock to Germany to participate in the world’s largest annual festival.  It started in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria wed Princess Theresa of Saxony.  Their wedding celebration included an open invitation to his countrymen.  It is estimated that six million people flock to Munich for the festivities.

Cincinnati claims that it holds the “largest authentic Oktoberfest” in the U.S.  It draws about 500,000 people to its celebration. 

My favorite month concludes with Halloween—the eve of All Saints’ Day.  This creepy holiday brings pumpkins, costumes, parades, school parties and pranks.  Boy, what a month.  So whatever you want to do—travel, toast Oktoberfest, or celebrate Halloween, have fun.  Happy October to all.

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Joe welcomes any ideas, suggestions or interesting stories.
Email him at northcon@nauticom.net. Please put "Town Crier" in the subject line of your email.

To contact Joe to schedule an appointment to tour his museum at McKnight Elementary School, call the Northern Connection office at (724) 940-2444 or email northcon@nauticom.net. Please put "Museum Tour" in the subject line.

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