Appalachian Trail Museum, Pine Grove Furnace SP PA

This is the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania. It's brand new, having opened in the spring of 2010. The exhibits are primarily about the early, pioneer through-hikers, such as Earl Shaffer and Grandma Gatewood. The museum is free, although donations are appreciated.

The museum is in this location because it is almost at the exact midpoint of the Appalachian Trail. Due to constant re-routings, the midpoint moves around a bit from one year to the next, but it is always just a few miles north of the park.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located on PA Route 233, about twenty miles north of US Route 30 (the Lincoln Highway)

Dam and Monument, Little Beaver SP WV

I suppose I should not be going around taking pictures of dams, lest I be mistaken for a terrorist. This dam forms the recreational lake behind it at Little Beaver State Park, WV, near Beckley. The monument bears the name of the company and the engineer who built it. The state park is a small one used primarily by locals.

Log Building, Pine Grove Furnace State Park PA

This interesting little building may be found in one of the picnic grounds at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania. I walked up to it and found it locked. It appears to be a utility or storage shed of some kind, but the design is typical of state parks just about anywhere. I'd guess it to predate World War II.

The park is on PA Route 233 about 20 miles north of US 30 (Lincoln Highway)

Thaddeus Stevens Furnace, Caledonia SP PA

This is the restored Thaddeus Stevens Furnace in Caledonia State Park, Pennsylvania. The park is at the top of South Mountain on US 30 (the Lincoln Highway) between Gettysburg and Chambersburg. The park is one of my favorite places, and I really can't say why. It has some good hiking, including the Appalachian Trail. There is a pool and extensive picnic and camping facilities.

Stevens built this iron-producing furnace before the Civil War. In July 1863, a detachment of Confederate soldiers destroyed it on their way to Gettysburg. It was revenge for Stevens being a passionate and prominent abolitionist.

Mont Alto State Park, Mont Alto PA

If Mont Alto State Park isn't the smallest state park in Pennsylvania, it's pretty close. It's located on PA Route 233 south of US 30. It appears to be used mainly by locals.

The structure on the left is obviously a picnic shelter. But when built, it was something else altogether. It was the outside of a merry-go-round.

In the early twentieth century, the country was crisscrossed by "interurbans" or rural streetcars. These electric railways often built amusement parks to bolster their ridership. One such park was located here. When it was abandoned, the shell of the carousel was retained and made into the picnic shelter.

Classic Neon Motel Sign, Ironto VA

This is another classic old neon sign for a motel. I've seen it at night, and alas, it's seen better times. Quite a bit of it has burned out. The motel is now a Budget Host; I believe that is an independent association rather than a chain. It is on US Route 11 right next to I-81, just north of the exit for Dixie Caverns. It's a single story motel, which is the kind that I prefer. I would never have any occasion to stay at this one though; it's too close to home. The restaurant appears to be closed.

Neon Sign, BBQ Restaurant, Harrisonburg VA

Here is a classic old neon sign for a barbeque drive-in restaurant. It may be found on US Route 11 just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia. I didn't eat there because I'd just eaten dinner before discovering it. The modern arrow sign below the neon one detracts from it to an extent, but it's still good when you can find an old classic like this.