Tionesta Lake and Pithole

 We headed to Tionesta Lake on Friday. We were up for some fishing and normally hit the spillway, but veered off to check out the lake. Beautiful! We'll be back to rent a boat. It was so quiet - so peaceful. Very much worth a return visit.






John's very first foray to Venango County included a stop at Pithole. If you live in Oil City, you are laughing - because there's nothing to see there. This of course, fascinated him, and long before I ever saw Oil City, I heard about Pithole.

For the rest of you, Pithole is the classic boom town story, at warp speed. Within months of striking oil, the town's population rose to 15,000. By the following year, it was down to 2,000 and eventually what remained, burned. There were something like 50 hotels here.

Now there's open space, with mowed rows showing the street layout.

Even the PA Conservancy closed their tourist station. Pithole! I think your name cursed you. However, it's a beautiful and tranquil spot. A deer crossed our path as we were leaving - we were about 5 feet away. Even the wildlife bail.

On the closed observation deck.

Looking over the observation railing.

   

Biking! Pianos in the Park!

It was a hot weekend ("It was a hot and stormy night..." had to do it.) but it was beautiful in Venango County. The skies were clear and there was a breeze Friday and Saturday.

Even so, we got the bikes down to the Justus Trail by 10 am Saturday. They were finishing up a marathon and I got to cheer on some runners. Yay Runners! You raised $6,000. Outstanding!

We rode this trail earlier in the spring - brisk! so this time we took advantage of the mid-80's to relax on the ride over to Franklin. Yes - we made it over and back and checked out a strawberry stand for canning purposes ($4 each if you purchase 8 quarts.)

Going back we stopped at the entry to River Ridge Farm, where Woodrow Wilson wrote the "Fourteen Points" that helped end World War I. The mansion was built by Joseph Sibley, a prominent businessman and politician. You bet I'm taking the next tour they offer.

Saturday night, we went over to Franklin for "Pianos in the Park." This was exactly the reason we bought a home over here - beautiful summer night, lawn chairs in the park by the bandstand, entertainment and open art galleries. Yes, forgot the camera again.

Shout out to Mark Anderton at the pottery studio - and my bad for not double checking the name of your store. Your work is amazing and I'm coming back for mugs and possibly a teapot.