Off The Beaten Path: Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, and the Great Lakes region. The state borders Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and Ontario, Canada to the northwest, New York to the north and New Jersey to the east. The beautiful Appalachian Mountains run through the middle of the state.

Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest, the 6th most populous, and the 9th most densely populated of the US. The state's five most populous cities are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading. The state capital is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania has 51 miles of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. The state is one of the thirteen original founding states.

In our Culinary Travels yesterday we mentioned the Liberty Bell. While it isn’t off the beaten (actually one off the biggest tourist attractions) path it is worth a mention. 

The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell today is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park. The bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack (today the Whitechapel Bell Foundry) in 1752, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10). The bell first cracked when rung after its arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell. In its early years, the Liberty Bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens to public meetings and proclamations.

Camping

State forests are Pennsylvania's hidden recreational gems. With more than 2,500 miles of trails, outdoor enthusiasts find endless opportunities for hiking and camping.

Camping on state forest lands is defined as overnight lodging using standard camping equipment, and is categorized into three different types: primitive camping, motorized camping, and group camping.

Primitive Camping is defined as overnight camping where all equipment is transported in limited trips by non-motorized vehicle methods and where a motorized vehicle is not located near or part of the camping experience.

Use of camp stoves is encouraged. Small campfires for cooking and warming purposes are permitted except when the fire danger is high, very high or extreme and from March 1 to May 25 and from October 1 to December 1, unless authorized on the camping permit. Put your fire out cold and scatter the stone fire rings at “new”, non-designated dispersed campsites before leaving. Leave stone fire rings intact at established and designated dispersed campsites. Check with the local Forest District Office and the County Burn Ban site to make sure open fires are permitted. Only downed and dead wood within the immediate campsite may be gathered for firewood. Collect only the amount needed for your stay. Power saws are not permitted without a Fuelwood Permit.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there and if you want to stay in comfort rather than camping out we can help. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
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