Experiencing America > 2019 > Mountains, Fields, & the Beach > Day 2
Day TWO...
Tuesday, July 16th, 2019
Day two is a trek across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The goal for the night is Princeton, New Jersey. This will serve as home base for the next four nights. While most activities were planned in the Greater Philadelphia Area; stay in in New Jersey saved alot of money.
During our stay near the airport on the westside of Pittsburgh, there was an interesting building on the ridge across the valley from our hotel. Before setting out for the day, a hunt was on to find out what it was. It turned out to be the Union Presbyterian Church on Pennsylvania 60.
Looking east towards Downtown Pittsburgh.
Union Presbyterian Church.
A car on a stick...one of the must for a road trip checked off.
After that hunt, we headed down Interstate 376 through downtown Pittsburgh; then out to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This was through the wood, over the river, and through the mountains. While it wasn't a trip to grandma's house; it was a voyage to be had. The first stop along the turnpike, besides the use of restrooms, was at the Somerset exit to make our way to the Flight 93 National Park. To get to this park we voyaged down the historic Lincoln Highway.
EB I-376 at the Fort Pitt Tunnel.
An odd pint of milk found in Western Pennsylvania.
The Jenny Globe in Somerset, PA.
A giant cross north of Somerset, PA. Another road trip must checked off.
A mural along the Lincoln Highway.
The Flight 93 Memorial Park was an honest, but tasteful tribute the the tragic events that took place in this nation on September 11, 2001; as well as telling the stories of the 40 souls that lost their life on that day in Pennsylvania. During research for this trip, it seemed as if the side was a monument along the road side to visit and move one. It was much, much more. The path to the visitors center told the story of the day as you walked the final path of the airliner.
A sign along EB U.S. 30.
Looking north along the sidewalk outside the visitors center. The black path marks the final path of Flight 93.
Looking south along the final path of Flight 93. Through the walls is the visitors center and an overlook of the crash sight.
Looking south of the valley where the plane crashed.
The boulder marks the spot of the impact sight.
One of the exhibits inside the visitors center. This explained how the day began.
This exhibit explained the time line of Flight 93.
This exhibit showed some of the items that were recovered from the crash sight.
This is part of the exhibit above. It shows what the sight looked like after the crash. The crater is not filled in and marked with the boulder shown in a previous picture above.
Below the ridge that the visitors center sits on, is the area of the crash site, and debris field; this place is known as the Memorial Plaza.
Looking north up towards the ridge where the visitors center sits on.
Looking out over the debris field.
Just like above, the final path is marked in black. The names of each of the 40 people killed on the flight are on the white marble wall. This is looking north up towards the ridge where the overview picture was taken.
A closer look at the boulder marking the impact sight.
Before you get to the visitors center and down to Memorial Plaza, there is a pull over that over looks the valley around this park. Another marker explains the history of this site. Prior to the crash, this site was a strip mine. The mining company was in the progress of reclaiming the land that they had mined for many years. At the entrance of the park, a new monument dedicated to the memory of the souls lost on Flight 93. The National Park Service is working to complete the worlds largest wind chime. When complete there will be one chime for each soul.
Looking west over the valley around the park.
Looking northeast at the wind chime.
After the visit at the Flight 93 Memorial Park, it was time for lunch. One the recommendation of one of the park volunteers, there was a restaurant in near by Jennerstown. Along the way there was a slight stop at one of the two markers along U.S. 30 indicating a near by covered bridge. Going to the one that just off of U.S. 30 in Stoystown, there was a V.F.W. at the sign with old military equipment.
The helicopter and tank at the V.F.W.
The Covered Bridge.
As we continued along U.S. 30, we made our way to Jennerstown for lunch. Along the way we got a good look at the sights of Western Pennsylvania. More than what you can see just staying on the interstate. The recommended restaurant was to have the theme of coal mine decor. Which it did, along with old tea pots, plates, dedication to service personal. The staff was very inviting, and the environment was great. The menu was heavily turkey based, but the food all around was amazing.
A Castle along U.S. 30.
The Coal Miner's Diner in Jennerstown, PA.
A teapot collection inside the diner.
Coal mining artifacts in the diner.
The signature sandwich at the diner.
After a late lunch, early dinner, it was time for a brief treat before getting back on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and heading to Philadelphia. At the suggestion of the waiter at the restaurant, there was a small ice cream stand.
The ice cream stand in Jennerstown, PA.
Also at the suggestion of our waiter from lunch was the memorial to the mine rescue of some coal miners that became trapped in an underground shaft at the Quecreek Mine. This is located along Pennsylvania 985, between Somerset and Jennerstown.
The monument at the roadside..
Look out over the rescue site from behind the monument.
The air shaft that was drilled in for the men trapped.
The rescue shaft used.
A marker at the site.
A drill bit used to reach the miners.
After the brief stop to see more Western Pennsylvania history it was on to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. From Somerset, it was a few hour journey across the state with some fantastic view of the mountains, the Susquehanna River Valley at Harrisburg. Then as night fell a rain storm moved in.
A roadside elephant in Somerset, PA.
Got Roy Rodgers on this trip!!
Now to State #6...New Jersey!!...
Our home away from home was Princeton, New Jersey for the next few days. This gave a nice locale in the Delaware River Valley Area for sightseeing.
Day THREE