Archa Glad You Came to Arches National Park

Arches National Park is located 5 miles north of Moab, Utah off US-191 and 236 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah (USA). 

We arrive in Moab in the morning.  The first thing we do is get a hotel room for the next couple of nights.  The sun is shining and we have partly cloudy skies.  We decide to take advantage of the fair weather forecast and visit Arches National Park today.  The sandstone arches against a blue sky is striking.  Tomorrow, the weather is predicted to be cloudy. 

Entrance Sign

Park Map

My Hubby favors the Yellowstone/Grand Teton Parks so we go there every couple of years.  However, Arches is my favorite National Park. It’s been 20 years since we last visited southern Utah and I am excited to return to Arches.  

While Yellowstone NP (2.2 million acres) has the world's greatest concentration of geysers (over 10,000 thermal features), Arches (76,679 acres) has the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches (over 2,000 of them).   It’s a magical wonderland of stone that has been shaped by time and weather into graceful arches, petrified sand dunes, and a variety of fun rock formations.   Use your imagination – what do you see?

Ancient Aruba in Modern Times - The Caves at Arikok National Park

Our cruise ship docks in Oranjestad, Aruba.  We couldn’t ask for better weather during our February visit.  Far better than the frigid temperatures back home.

Oranjastad, Aruba

Meanwhile ... Back Home ...

We gather our things and go ashore for our afternoon tour called the "Hidden Gems of Aruba”.  We have been to Aruba a few times prior to this trip.  Aruba’s rugged landscape is beautiful and the water activities are great.  But this visit I want to do something different.  How about a tour to Arikok National Park to see a couple of limestone caves?  Guardikin Cave is famous for its two chambers where streaming sunlight illuminates the dancing dust particles.  While Fontein Cave is known for its brownish-red pictographs left by the Arawak Natives.

Tourism Map of Aruba

We board bus #57 and meet our driver/tour guide named John.  During our 30 minute bus ride to the caves, John provides us with information about the various districts and landmark homes we are seeing.   

When we arrive at the entrance to Arikok National Park, we meet Stan.  He will be our guide while we are at the caves.  Stan is a friendly and energetic young man with a strong interest in preserving the environment. 

Park Map

A POPular House - The Kaleva Bottle House

We frequently visit the northwest quadrant of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.  After awhile, we begin to wonder, “What else can we see or do that we haven’t already seen or done?” A little research revealed a small village in Manistee County that has a unique house built with 60,000 glass soda pop bottles.   I love history and unique architecture so I had to see this for myself.

Learning About the Past - Old Bedford Village

Old Bedford Village is a five acre park located at 220 Sawblade Road, Bedford, Pennsylvania (off Business Route 220).  The Village is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on Wednesdays).  From September through October it is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

We were here on a Friday in May (before Memorial Day).  I Googled “Old Bedford Village” and it said that the Village was open today until 5 p.m.  I was looking forward to seeing the Village.  Where else would I find two one-room schoolhouses and a covered bridge all in one location?   

Entrance Sign

At the entrance to the Village is the 126’ long Claycomb Covered Bridge.  In 1975, it was moved to the Old Bedford Village and placed over the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River.  It’s a fun way to set the mood for a visit to the historic village.

Driving through the Covered Bridge

Claycomb Covered Bridge

If You Are So Inclined - See Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS

My Hubby and I share a common interest in history.  He tracks down historic trains and I learn where the historic schools are.  Today, it’s all about the trains.

After we leave Horseshoe Curve (near Altoona), we drive to the Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS.  The Visitor Center closed at 5:00 p.m.  We arrive 45 minutes too late to see what is inside it but the park grounds are open until sunset. 

Visitor Center

Display signs along the trail will provide us with a better understanding on how and why this system was built. 

NPS Map

We begin by walking the boardwalk trail.  It is an easy walk through the woods to the Engine House and Inclined Plane No. 6.  A wooden deck offers a view of the remains of the incline.  An exhibit sign explains how the “steps” of the incline plane system works.  “The Portage consisted of 11 relatively level horizontal passages that were linked by 10 'steep' inclined planes.”*       

Trail

Remains of Inclined Plane No. 6

NPS Map

On the right side of the wooden deck is the Engine House.  We peek through the windows and see the machinery that hoisted and lowered on the inclines.  “At the head of each incline was an engine house built of wood.  It contained the stationary steam engine, wheels, gears, hydraulic pistons, vertical 8-foot wheels, horizontal 9-foot by 7-inch sheaves, and wells approximately 3 feet wide and 8 feet deep.”*

Engine House 6 Exhibit Building

On the left side of the wooden deck is the beginning of a 1/3 mile trail (one way) to the 60.4’ long Skew Arch.  A skew arch “is a method of construction that enables an arch bridge to span an obstacle at some angle other than a right angle.”* 

We hike the downhill trail to the road (Hwy 22) to see the railroad bridge.  It's a steady uphill hike back to the Engine House.   

Trail to Skew Arch

Skew Arch

Trail View of Engine House

Near the Engine House is the two-story Lemon House.  It was a popular stop along the train route.  The former tavern now serves as a historical museum operated by the National Park Service.  It is unfortunate that we arrived to late in the day to see inside the museum.

Lemon House/Tavern

The Park closes at sunset and it’s time for us to leave for our next destination – the historic Old Bedford Village (Bedford, PA).

If you enjoy trains, I invite you to view my other blog posts on historic train sites/museums by clicking on the following links:

Choo-Choose Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Altoona Railroaders Museum & Horseshoe Curve

Altoona (population 40,796 in 2013) has a wide variety of lodging and dining options.  Bedford (population 2,781 in 2013) has fewer selections than Altoona but still offers some good choices.

Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on dining and lodging options.  

For a list of historic railroad hotels, trackside motels, train themed B&B’s, and restaurants in former and active train stations, click on the following link:

Railroad Lodgings & Train Themed Restaurants

This list will include the Red Caboose Motel (Ronks/Strasburg, PA).  Travel reviews weren’t very favorable prior to February of 2016.  That is when the caboose motel transferred ownership and reviews over the last couple months were better.  So, during our May 2016 visit, we thought we would stay one night ($150 + tax) at this unique lodging.   We weren't very impressed but kids seem to love it.  

 Red Caboose Motel

LOCATION:  Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (NHS), 110 Federal Park Road, Gallitzin Township, Pennsylvania (USA).   It is located about 15 miles from Altoona and 40 miles from Bedford, PA

Telephone:  (814) 886-6150  

HOURS/FEES:  The Visitor Center and buildings are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.   However, Park hours can change due to holidays and inclement weather.  The entrance fee is $5 per person (children under the age of 15 are admitted free).  At this time, the Park does not accept credit cards.  For more information, please click on the “Plan Your Visit” link at the bottom of this post. 

BACKGROUND:  According to Wikipedia, “The Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad constructed through the Allegheny Mountains in central Pennsylvania.  Construction began in 1831 and took three years to complete.  It operated from 1834 to 1854.  Considered a technological marvel in its day, it played a critical role in opening the interior of the United States beyond the Appalachian Mountains to settlement and commerce.  In 1854 the portage railroad was rendered obsolete by construction of a locomotive railroad over the Alleghenies by the Pennsylvania Railroad, a private company.  A skew arch bridge, a masterwork of cut stone construction, is another feature of the site.”  This 1,296-acre park was established on August 31, 1964.  The Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.  

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Allegheny Railroad Portage NHS, click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below: 

Plan Your visit - Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS

*National Park Service (NPS) Source

All Aboard for the Altoona Railroaders Museum & Horseshoe Curve

All Aboard!  Whether you are a train enthusiast, history buff, or adore antiques, the Altoona Railroaders Museum is the place to be.  We arrive at the Railroaders Museum and purchase a combo ticket (a wristband) for the Museum and Horseshoe Curve.            

Depending on your interest in the exhibits, and if you watch one or both of the films (19 and 21 minutes long), the average time spent at the Railroaders Museum Visitor Center is about 1.5 hours.  We were here longer because my hubby (a train enthusiast) had a lengthy conversation with the museum’s Curator. 

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

From the triumphant first flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk to the tragedy of the Johnstown Flood, our national historic sites honor the lives and times of those who came before us.    Today, we are visiting Johnstown, Pennsylvania (USA).   It is located 43 miles west-southwest of Altoona and 67 miles east of Pittsburgh.

According to Wikipedia, "The Johnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates the 2,209 people who died in the Johnstown Flood on May 31, 1889, caused by a break in the South Fork Dam, an earthen structure.  It unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water creating a wave of destruction that devastated Johnstown, PA.  The memorial preserves the remains of the dam and portions of the former Lake Conemaugh bed.  This 164-acre site was established as a National Memorial on August 31, 1964”.   It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. 

We begin at the Visitor Center.  I strongly recommend seeing the 35 minute film about the flood.  It is a very well done documentary and worth the little extra time to watch it.

Visitor Center

A light rain is falling when we begin our driving tour of this historic site.  It’s appropriate weather because heavy rain (and poor dam site maintenance) is what caused this flood.