We have been so lucky with this year’s lead into winter. Yesterday’s brilliant sunshine and moderate temperature were perfect days to be outdoors … walking and being delighted with some of the area’s incredible offerings.

The Marietta Access offers an outstanding southerly view of The River. The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail ambles by the Access; “The trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Mainline Canal and uses some of the original towpath that remains along the corridor. This provides ample opportunities to interpret the numerous industrial archaeological remains such as abandoned canal locks; the iron furnaces at Chickies Rock … .”

The narrow underpass leads from the Waterfront Access connecting to Chickies Rock County Park. The Musselman/Vesta Furnace Center was the last of eight anthracite-fired hot blast iron furnaces to be build on the river floodplain between Columbia and Marietta and the last complete blast furnace to be constructed in Lancaster County.

“On the southwest edge of the park is an area known as Breezyview, a location that offers a panoramic view of Chickies Rock and the Susquehanna River.” Yesterday’s breezes offered radio-control gliders aviators excellent flying conditions.