Back in May, my wife attended a conference for educators in State College, and I invited myself along so that I could spend some time doing research at Penn State’s massive libraries for my master’s thesis. After dropping the kids off at nana’s the night before, we got up early to make our way up [...]

Most of the time putting on races and riding bikes doesn’t seem to jive. Now and then; Bingo! Lately there’s been more bingo than usual,which is great for one’s psyche and doesn’t hurt the waistline (though Thanksgiving didn’t help!). Mostly it is due to the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic this guy and [...]

Remember this commercial? It’s a highly successful spot produced by the folks at the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF). The mission of the RBFF is to increase participation in recreational angling. I’ve got news for them: it worked.
Ever since that ad aired, I’ve been itching to take my kids fishing. [...]

Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor on Penn Avenue in the Strip District of Pittsburgh is truly a trip back in time. I kinda feel like I’m in Hill Valley circa 1955 (Back to the Future) expecting Marty McFly to come running through the door. The store used to be a pharmacy, like most ice cream parlors [...]

In the sleepy little town of Spring Mills, along rural Rt. 45, is a quaint little restaurant that supports my idea about wandering vs. waiting. What’s wandering vs. waiting you ask? The answer is in the form of some questions: Why are people willing to wait for up to an hour at the chain places [...]

Hiking and biking in PA is great, but here in Pine Creek Gorge at the gateway to the PA Grand Canyon, it’s amazing! As I headed out across an abandoned railroad bridge and up the side of a forbidding mountain, I was taken over by the smells of the forest. They hit me right away… [...]

Harold’s Inn Tavern is a hometown favorite for Pittsburgher’s and is a great place for tourists to check out for an authentic PGH meal. You know I am talking specifically of potatoes on your salad! Harold’s is well known for it’s “taters”, which are deliciously seasoned slices of potatoes that you get with most meals [...]

There is nothing I love more than an evening of music, food and wine. Last month I needed one of those nights, so I headed to the CLO Backstage Bar downtown Pittsburgh to see the lovely and talented (and fellow Pittsburgher) Joy Ike perform. She belted out in her beautiful voice, songs from her new [...]

A few weeks ago we celebrated a co-workers birthday and headed to the Sonoma Grille downtown. There are some places that are reserved for such a special occasion, and Sonoma Grille is one of those places. Located on Penn Avenue right next to the Courtyard/Marriott and has valet parking, which is always a plus for [...]

My friends and I have been coming to Restless Oaks for a number of years on our way to the Finger Lakes wineries in New York State. It’s always good to start with a great breakfast before a day of wine tasting. And since this place is only a half hour or so from home, [...]