Covered Bridges and a Coffee Pot

 April 1 - 2, 2025

US Highway 30, the Lincoln Highway, was the first transcontinental highway. Our stop in Bedford, PA, allowed us a glimpse of the past. From kitschy architecture to art deco gasoline stations, the county has a number of sites along the highway noted in its travel guide. We glimpsed a few on the way to the Flight 93 Memorial.

The county is also home to a number of covered bridges. A self-guided auto tour will take you to twelve of them. 

The pioneer village was still closed when we were there. You see how crowded we were at the campground. Ha! It's part of the advantages and disadvantages of traveling in shoulder seasons.

Bowser Osterburg Covered Bridge

Where Are We Going Next?  

A Somber Visit

 March 31, 2025

We left Virginia and headed north. We had reservations in Niagara Falls in two weeks. The challenge was finding open campgrounds in the interim period. Many didn't open until later in April or even the beginning of May. We found a campground in Bedford, PA, about 30 minutes from Flight 93 National Memorial, which was a place we wanted to visit. 

It was a tough visit emotionally. Memories of that fateful day were brought back to the forefront. The exhibits included news reports showing the second plane hitting the Twin Towers and the baffled news reporters as they realized that the incidents were deliberate acts of violence. The exhibits (no photos allowed) included details of each passenger and crew member as well as recordings preserved by family members. I chose not to listen to the latter, feeling it would be too overwhelming.

I overheard parents visiting the memorial trying to explain to their pre-school children the importance of the site, what the exhibits were, why they were looking at field, why they needed to be quiet, etc. "What happened to all the people?" 

Tower of Voices

Mementos in honor

Memorial Plaza

Hemlock gate indicating crash flight path

"A common field one day. A field of honor forever."

Where Are We Going Next?