My friend, Robert “Slim” Bowser asked me to do a road trip today. The trip was a business trip in a way. We needed to travel close to the New York border into “God’s Country” of Potter County. We would be covering a section of the beautiful mountain region bordering Route 6. The catch was I needed to home by 6:00 in anticipation of a friend’s visit to do some recordings. (He forgot to come, by the way!)
Slim is a member and current president of the living history Civil War group representing the Company D 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry 5th Corps. www.62ndpvi.wordpress.com I am honored to be an honorary member. This group does living history programs concerning the 62nd PVI. Activities include parades; grave dedications and programs to educate others about the 62nd PVI during the Civil War. the respect this group has for the past and those brave men is outstanding! take some time to study up on the group from the web site shown above. Many members of the original 62nd PVI came from my area of Armstrong County.
First Fork Lodge
The final stop on this road trip would be near to a community known as Austin, Pennsylvania. Here we would be stopping at a home built in 1883 currently known as the First Fork Lodge. They owners, Jack and Linda Krafft supply lodging to hunters and fishermen/ women. The building, also, has a Fly Shop; Sporting Goods and the beauty of art on flagstones. Their web site is: www.firstforklodge.com The other web site in regards to their art on stone products is: www.framingonstone.com If interested in any art on stone products don’t hesitate to contact Jack and Linda!
The WHEATFIELD…on stone!
The owners have had success with prints from; “THE WHEATFIELD-WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH.”Readers of my blog will recognize this title from past blogs, such as from the July 6 and August 25 sites from 2011. These prints have been anchored to quarried flagstones and sealed. This, of course, allows for the stone texture to show through giving a different dimension to each print.
Our mission was to pick up five of these stones for use for the 62nd PVI group.
Jack, gave us a mini tour of the lower floor of the building. The rooms are chocked -full of art; antiques and hunting and fishing related things. NO TV! The owners encourage those staying to enjoy a sitting room to talk and become acquainted. This is a nice touch in the hurry-up world of today.
Beautiful sunset!
Our travels included returning via Route 872 south through the mountain region of Potter; Elk and Cameron Counties. This is such a beautiful area. We, also came through elk country. We saw over thirty elk and a number of deer. I spotted a large-racked buck that appeared to be tangled in a fence. We turned around and the buck was gone! We saw one grouse crossing the road and was blessed to see an eagle perched high in a sycamore tree. Due to timing restraints our photo opportunities were scarce.
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As a side note: In 1911, 78 individuals were killed when the Austin Dam collapsed. If interested in learning more of this disaster visit: www.austindam.net
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
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