The Shoe House

the Haines shoe house is an eccentric piece of art that dwells in Hellam, Pennsylvania. It resembles a 25x47x17 work boot, as they were originally sold by Mahlon Haines in the early 1900s. It also happens to be a right shoe, specifically. There is also a small dog house in the back, also shaped like a shoe, that was once 6ft tall, but has since sank into the Earth to become about 2 ft tall.

The story of Mr. Haines, as I discovered for myself, was a very unusual one. His sister owned a department store, and he worked for her after graduating from high school for quite some time. However, instead of being automatically promoted through the ranks, his sister made him struggle through the ranks, which eventually upset him to the point where he quit and decided to strike out on his own. He worked a bunch of odd jobs before landing a small gig in Ohio with his then fiance. She eventually left him, and all he had left to his name after losing both her and the job were his engagement ring, a couple of bucks in cash, his bicycle, and the clothes on his back. So, being originally from Southern Pennsylvania, he set out for home. His bike broke down, and he decided to sell his engagement ring and buy 10 pairs of shoes. He then set up a kiosk at a local market and sold the shoes, retaining his prophets and then increasing them. He became really good at making shoe deals, he realized he was on to something, and quickly started selling shoes that were refurbished from Hanover Shoe Outlet.

To promote his Empire, Mr. Haines spent an exuberant amount of time walking around town and giving out free pencils, mirrors, fans, and pocket protectors that had his business information on them. As of the early 2000s, some 1,500 fans had been recovered. needless to say, his business grew, he settled down and married, and eventually retired with several million dollars in assets. It was at this point in time that he was able to purchase a yacht and enjoy his life at sea, as well as return to the mainland to participate in community improvement projects and play with a softball team that was intended for individuals 75 and older. every time he got a home run, the team manager carved a bulldog for him, totaling a collection of 23 Bulldogs. eventually, he moved out of the shoe house that he built to advertise his business and open up for tours, and rented out two guest rooms. he hired a maid who also acted as a chauffeur, made some extra income off of renting out the shoe house rooms, and then built and lived in a house across the street from it. He passed away from respiratory failure on Halloween of 1962 in his 80s, settling 1.5 million dollars to various charities in the Boy Scouts of America, and leaving his widow with the shoe house, the house across the street from it, and enough money to live a comfortable retired life until she passed away.

When she passed away, the house set for a couple of years before an orthodontist purchased it to live in it. Eventually, he would come to pass as well, and although the house was left to some of his co-workers, they didn't know what to do to upkeep it. Eventually, Mr. Haines's granddaughter, who was an architectural contractor, purchased and restored the then rotting house to its former glory. It was rented out there on out as an ice cream store and tourhouse, and its history is preserved well into this day.

As for myself, I have quite a few impressions of this tiny house that I spontaneously explored one afternoon. First of all, they always have, and continue to this day, to sell wonderful ice cream. They also having a lot of cute souvenirs, and the tour of the house itself is very affordable at $5 per person and free for children. This makes it a great spot for both tourists and locals to visit. if the house was not designated as a tourist attraction, it is one that I would honestly consider staying in for a night. I hope that this shoe house has inspired other unusual houses to pop up around the globe. I know that there are glorified bunkers and treehouses, but I really want to see more things like the shoe house.

Although there typically isn't a whole lot to see in south central Pennsylvania, going for a day hike and then replenishing your battery with ice cream and a tour of the shoe house is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. the story is a lot more complex than just a fairy tale about the lady who lived in the shoe, although it is another wonderful metaphor. Go check out the shoe house today!

Tower City

In north central Pennsylvania, there is a town called Tower City that lies near several mountains. I had to take an opportunity to write about this, because I went up here one summer to visit a friend from undergraduate.

and I am so glad that I did.

I was on the highway for maybe a half hour out of the hour and a half Journey from my house. For the rest of it, I was surrounded by the forest, mountains, Recreational Park areas, fishing zones, and the Appalachian Trail. since starting my new job with a medical company, I had wanted nothing more than to retreat to the mountains again. This came as a perfect opportunity, as I got some much-needed forest therapy. I needed this time so badly, that I actually put my phone on silent and stopped voice-recording any book or blog notes I was working on, turned off my mp3 player, and enjoyed the Roaring glands through the trees for a solid 30 miles until I arrived at my friend's house.

When I was in high school, one of my English teachers told me to go and sit with nature. Not just being it, but to engage in it. To turn off all electronic devices, to take the watch off, and to sit and be one with the world for least a half hour. I sat there for an unknown amount of time, wrote my assignment about it, and realized immediately that this experience has changed my life completely and for the better. It is the reason why I'm so obsessed with being outdoors in nature and Hiking now.

And so when I got to the area of Wiconisco, we went hiking in Bear Valley. It was pretty much a straight shot up one trail. If we would have taken the trail ten miles we would have eventually reached a fire lookout. We hiked for about 2 miles before turning around, enveloped by forest on either side.

After this, we spend a lazy afternoon at my friend's girlfriend's place, relaxing with homemade pizza, mountain pies, and lemonade. Many good laughs were shared, and even if it isnt a high caliber adventure that I usually take, it was much needed for R&R. Until the next adventure... stay tuned!

My Personal Founding Father

My personal founding father

For those of you that may not know, I am from a little state called Pennsylvania. He translates from Penn's Woods, and was founded in 1683 by William Penn. Originally, I never had no one or never would have guessed that the founder of my state was originally from a small town that I worked in for my first occupational therapy placement. At the end of the four week placement though, my educator took me to a pub called the Pennsylvanian that was named after him, and then to the local museum then had a detailed plan about his life.  I then found out where he was buried, set my sights on going to visit him.

The stone above was part of his homestead in Pennsylvania.

To see the grave of William Penn, I had to walk through 20 minutes worth of British countryside near the Chilterns. There was no pavement to be found on the road, and in certain parts there was no strip of grass or forest to walk on either, so it was incredibly terrifying. Oddly enough, I went on a sunny day in February where there were not a lot of people on the road, so I could sprint a long open sections of road if need be.

After walking a mile and crossing the road at least 13 times to avoid becoming road pancake, I finally found it, the small cemetery in which William Penn was buried. I had a brief chat with him and thank him for all that he had done in America to found the nation, and then I followed the footpath out of the cemetery and into the small town of Jordans, where his first Quaker community was settled.

The man who helped to found America.

 I got a bottle of water in the Jordans community store after a quick little hike up the road, and I could still smell stale hickory smoke filling the air. Likely due to the quaintness, Jordans won an award in 2018 for the best kept village in Buckinghamshire. I introduced myself to the shopkeeper, and immediately, the rest of the customers started chatting to me as well. After all, it isn't every day that you meet an American from Pennsylvania in the town that was settled by the man who settled Pennsylvania.

I then went to a little pub called the Jolly Cricketers in Seer Green. it was a quaint location with a very small town and home vibe. I would recommend this pub to anyone who is able to make it up that way, although getting there from London isn't exactly easy if you don't have your own car or the money for an Uber.

After this, I returned back to my domicile to rest up. This was the day that I went to see the founder of my state. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Kings and Queens of Prussia

Just before visiting my friend in East Greenville, I decided to swing by the King of Prussia area to visit my friend Kelly who lives there. She also went to York with me, before transferring out to go back home to finish undergraduate studies. It was a very quiet little area, but still worth mentioning on here.

My friend lives in a small town called Phoenixville, about 10 minutes from Valley Forge National Park in about 15 minutes from King of Prussia Mall. Valley Forge is a very nice Historic Park, and although I got to drive by it, it was dark out, so I didn't really get to set foot inside the park. It was quite a phenomenal location to visit, as there are lots of trails to hike inside the park and statues and memorials and whatnot. Visiting my friend this summer and getting to swim in her pool with one of her friends was an incredible gift. And now for the main event, King of Prussia.

King of Prussia at the time that I visited it was the second largest strip mall in America. Plans were released to expand the mall completely by 2020, effectively making it the largest mall in America. It has a plethora of stores between three floors, spans 300 yards, and overall is a good place to spend an afternoon and burn some daylight. Many patrons from far and wide to travel to this area to see what this part of Pennsylvania is like, as there's also hotels and lavish casinos nearby.

When I stepped inside the mall for the first time to visit my friend, I walked to the nearest Starbucks, which was bigger than most stand alone stores that I visited. There were a few other stores Incorporated clothing, pop culture, and other things into their store. It is a good place to spend money and find any sort of store imaginable, and I noticed this almost immediately. I met up with my friend and her friend Kim, and we went for a little walk around the mall. We went to Wegmans after that, which was the first Wegmans that I've ever been to. My initial impression? The stores are much bigger out here on the east coast of Pennsylvania.

Although I personally don't spend a whole lot of time in malls because I'm more interested in geographical destinations, you can plainly see that this mall has a lot to offer everybody. I also try to conserve my money as much as possible, so I didn't spend a whole lot of time browsing the stores. No matter what you're into, you can always get exercise and simultaneously shop at King of Prussia.

Green Acres... sorta?

After a short-lived Excursion to New York, I visited my friend who lives in East Greenville, Pennsylvania. It is a small town with not much more than a Walmart, is single run down movie theater, a local Burger Shop, a Main Street, a project Zone, and a few local gift shops. I was visiting my friend Hayden from college, as I promised him that I would make a visit to see him. 

There wasn't a whole lot to offer in this little town, but it was still incredibly enjoyable. It is situated about 20 minutes from Quakerville with the big Amish markets, Landisdowne, which is another small family-oriented town, Montgomery Mall in Montgomery County, and Dorney Park. Over the next few days, when not sitting at home watching movies with my friend, I would be exploring all of these areas with him. Although a small town with little activity is occurring, it was a delightful visit, and somewhere I might likely stop by again one day on my way up North.

Such a beautiful little shop!

Although there isn't much to discuss regarding the town, it was still a nice getaway for a couple of days. Anything outside the normal sights of York Pennsylvania was good enough for me at this point in time. This small But Mighty Town also has probably the single biggest Walmart I've ever stumbled upon in my entire life, for whatever interesting reason. This is one of many small towns that can be found in Montgomery County Pennsylvania, and it's definitely worth a visit for anybody who likes the feel of the small town.

Centralia

Tucked away in the Center of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, is the little near ghost town of Centralia. This small mining town rose to critical acclaim in 1962 when a landfill somehow caught fire and ignited the coal mines that lay beneath the town, dwindling the population from 1000 people in the 80s to just 8 or 10 people that live there today. In an attempt to control the situation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased Centralia and initiated eminent domain, which did not bode well for keeping the residents of Centralia very happy. Through this agreement to eminent domain through the Commonwealth, the people that wanted to stay there and live out the rest of their lives were free to do so, and that is exactly what the remaining half dozen people have been doing. Once they leave or pass away, then their houses will also be claimed through eminent domain, and Centralia as it is known today will cease to exist. At the time of the writing of this article, the fires continue to burn, and will continue for approximately 200 years until the fuel is exhausted.

This was the first time that I ever went to Urban exploring in my life, taking some time over spring break my senior year of college to take the trip up. A two-hour drive from my house, Centralia itself wasn't initially all that impressive to look at. There were a couple of streets that were somewhat maintained, and a lot of shut down and boarded-up houses. A small Church lies up on the hill above Centralia and is still in use, so we weren't able to access that whatsoever. The main attraction to Centralia nowadays is the part of the All-American Interstate that got shut down, as the coal fires could still be seen coming out of the ground beneath the highway for years to come. The highway itself started to rupture, and people started spray-painting it with lots of graffiti. As such, it became Graffiti Highway.

Still feels like home!

Trying to be discrete as possible, as the town is on observation protocol from trespassers, we parked our car in the most inaccessible location we could find, behind a couple of trees. We first walked in the old cemetery, where many of the people who died due to the fires or whatever else were buried. There were a couple of others who were visiting the area, but they didn't bother us. We took some photos from the ridge above town, and then went on to hike through the forest to find graffiti Highway.

Because of its status as a fairly trafficked area, there is new graffiti on the highway nearly every month. There was a massive amount of graffiti, and many pictures were taken. The highway itself was probably a mile and a half long, and you could clearly see where it used to intersect with the main highway right beside it. There were lots of overgrown trees, so this sad little town has been all but forgotten in time and space.

Photo credits go to Uncovering PA.

My friend and I then decided to get super edgy and toppled to an abandoned building that had its Windows broken out. On the first floor, we saw empty beer bottles, used rubbers, photographs, cigarette ashes, and pretty much any other Errata that you can think of. We wanted to go upstairs but were afraid to do so, so then we departed from the area altogether after getting one last glimpse of the entire town.

I could use this time as a Shameless plug for renewable energy instead of coal, but it really is sad what happened to the town. What was once a flourishing little commune is now withering away, soon to be forgotten by the outside world. I'm so glad that I had the honor of seeing this quaint little town, Frozen in time and space.

Another York Park

Gifford Pinchot state park is a large State Park and central Pennsylvania dedicated to family usage. Several events are held here every summer regarding concerts and camping trips, as there is a lot of land and a lot of camping they can be done. In the center of the park is a large lake, which you can feel free to rent out a kayak and go on, or bring your own kayak. They also have rental paddle boats there, which can be used to take a swirl around the lake.

Surrounding the lake and the park itself are several miles worth of hiking trails, as well as a starting point to the northern part of the Heritage Rail Trail. The hiking is very light and family-friendly. When hiking, you can also see a large outdoor Frisbee Golf Course as well as some of the camping locations, cabins, and Yurts. If you are into Pokémon go, there are plenty of Pokémon that are found there as well, especially rare ones.

So ladies and gentlemen, pack your bags and picnic baskets, visit the Nature Center, go on a hike, and learn about the wonders of environmental chemist Gifford Pinchot. Because of this man's Legacy, York has a large portion of land dedicated to recreational use, to be untouched by modern life. Come by for a hike or a campout when you get the chance, and enjoy the process of slowing down.

Another Park in York

Gifford Pinchot state park is a large State Park and central Pennsylvania dedicated to family usage. Several events are held here every summer regarding concerts and camping trips, as there is a lot of land and a lot of camping they can be done. In the center of the park is a large lake, which you can feel free to rent out a kayak and go on, or bring your own kayak. They also have rental paddle boats there, which can be used to take a swirl around the lake.

Surrounding the lake and the park itself are several miles worth of hiking trails, as well as a starting point to the northern part of the Heritage Rail Trail. The hiking is very light and family-friendly. When hiking, you can also see a large outdoor Frisbee Golf Course as well as some of the camping locations, cabins, and Yurts. If you are into Pokémon go, there are plenty of Pokémon that are found there as well, especially rare ones.

So ladies and gentlemen, pack your bags and picnic baskets, visit the Nature Center, go on a hike, and learn about the wonders of environmental chemist Gifford Pinchot. Because of this man's Legacy, York has a large portion of land dedicated to recreational use, to be untouched by modern life. Come by for a hike or a campout when you get the chance, and enjoy the process of slowing down.

Although I personally didn't spend an extended amount of time exploring the area, I still feel as obligated as I always do to write a post about my experiences visiting a friend who lives out this way. Royersford, Pennsylvania is a rather small town the lies on the fringes of other small towns, about 20 minutes from King of Prussia Mall. most people out there are family oriented and church-going individuals who are usually found relaxing with loved ones in their homes. However, when I went the second week of July, their biggest church was having a festival. every year, the Sacred Heart Church puts on a walking tour and small carnival at their Church, which decommissions about half of the small streets in the town. However, every building out there is immense and awe inspiring.

When not enjoying the quaint family life of this town, which all in all, will remind you a lot of small town Suburbia, there are a few miniature golf courses and breweries that can be visited. It is also home to Pennhurst Asylum, one of many abandoned and supposedly haunted asylum in the United States. In theory, if you hear the word Asylum, it has since been shut down.

Either way around, this is just a quick little update on my life adventures. More stories to come with time. See you all soon!

The Pagoda

There is an old building in Southern Pennsylvania that was established in 1908 as a tourist attraction and a luxury hotel. However, in 1910, their liquor license was denied and the bank foreclosed in Reading, and William Witman never opened the $50,000 hotel, tanking his investment. The city of Reading bought the property for $1 in 1911, and the facility was opened as a tourist attraction. To this day, the Reading Pagoda has been maintained by the loving citizens of Reading, and has seen lots of different people from different walks of life, including actual Japanese monks and scholars.

Getting my inner zen on in front of the pagoda.

The pagoda sits at the top of a rather tall hill and is visited often by people in the surrounding area. I myself have gone there a good bit. Their website provides a wealth of information on the location, and it is almost always open. It is a very lux and posh facility that has seven stories of stairs, perfect for any daycation or holistay. Its proximity to the business district of Reading makes it perfect for a bleisure trip or cinetourism, and will give you an Americanized tour of Japanese culture.

I myself paid the two dollar donation to climb the stairs to the top, where I looked out to see the world. And, it was bright and beautiful.

One Example of the view from the top.

So, one day, possibly years or weeks from now, if you find yourself in South-Central Pennsylvania, come and visit the pagoda. It will be a voyage to be remembered for years to come.

Along the Heritage Rail Trail

 The Heritage rail trail is a 40 mile trail that spans from inner city York to Hunt Valley Maryland. It is a Scenic byway that was established after the York Pennsylvania to Hunt Valley Maryland train it was shut down, and the nature nearby was turned into footpaths and preserved for recreational usage. It is still an excellent way to get exercise and get from one small town from another, as it goes between York, Glen Rock, Seven Valleys, New Freedom, and Hunt Valley.

Somewhere along the rail trail...

 Every summer, there is a charity event held by the Cancer Association of America in which proceeds are raised by biking miles on the rail trail. So every September throughout high school and the first two years of college, I participated in that event, biking a total of 10 miles on the rail trail with my boy scout troop to raise money and commemorate my father who passed away from cancer.

...And from the top of it.

 The trail itself is massive, and starts on a low point and ends on the low point. Altitude increases from the starting point up until you get to the Midway point in New Freedom, and then decreases going the other direction. One summer, my friend Brett and I decided to be dropped off in New Freedom and bike 25 miles back to York. Not only was a great exercise, but I also could hardly feel my legs after that.

There's a lot of beautiful scenery along the way, There's a lot of beautiful scenery along the way, including a kayak Hut, a park, some fields, small towns, lots of foliage, a few Bridges and tunnels, and some Crossroads. It is a great way to get exercise for any body type at any given point of the year. The trail also picks back up around Gifford Pinchot State Park, which I detailed in another post, and continues for a few miles back towards York. So if you ever find yourself ambitious and needing some fun biking routes in southern York Pennsylvania, the rail trail is a great place to go to.

Ghosts in the Water

Being the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the entire Civil War, Gettysburg is a small town filled with hiking and history and ghosts alike. It sits just west of York and Harrisburg, and marks the scene of one of the shortest but compactly brutal events in the American Civil War, where over 50,000 people have lost their lives. The union won that day, but the bloodshed is remembered for years to come. This is especially considering that fathers and sons fought alongside one another, with one usually losing the other to war, or with both losing their lives, and the youngest of soldiers usually being an average of 15 years old and 5 foot 3. I guess if all else fails back then, you go to war.

Many historians have covered the bloody events that occurred over the span of 3 days, especially the Pickett's Charge across the rather large battlefield at Devil's Den and the gruesome injuries that were sustained on the blood-splattered fields. I would not begin to do them justice if I started talking about the historical components of Gettysburg, but what I can attest to is that the terrain is tumultuous, which means perfect for hiking, and apparently, also haunted.

Several hotels and inns have reported sightings of ghosts and paranormal activity, including one photographer who claims to have captured a picture of the late General Lee himself. Myself, I visited one of the famous haunted bridges late at night, and although I didn't photograph any ghosts or specters, it did provide a very eerie and off-putting sensation. If you go for the ghost tours, it is best to do it freelance and bring your own gear, but there are usually some ghost tours that are lead on weeknights starting around $30 per person. If you are a skeptic or a non-believer, this could potentially be the turning point for you.

Good 'ol Re-enacters.

As far as the hiking goes, Devil's Den is a wonderful place to practice rock climbing. The trails in the surrounding area leading to Little Round Top and Big Round Top Spin at least 7 miles, and provide a scenic backpacking route through one of Pennsylvania's most famous cities. The city itself is still rather small, but the land in the surrounding area has been preserved by the Department of Agriculture and several historians. Civil War reenactors usually come to different locations every weekday, and with all of the memorials and points of interest, there's a lot to see and do in Gettysburg. My favorite sightseeing point I visited was there largest cemetery, right outside their welcome center. Much like the Memorial Wall in DC, observe sacred silence when you go here.

If you are more of the indoors type and exhibit type, there are several indoor museums and preserve sites you can visit. Admission for a few of them has gone up in recent years, but there are still some cheap attractions, such as the Dime Museum and the Gettysburg Museum of History. There are several other museums scattered throughout Gettysburg, and if you're up to saving money, going around and doing all the different memorials and cemeteries is a cheap way to spend your time and Gettysburg. Trekking through the National military Park is not for the faint of heart, so be sure to stop by some local restaurants to enjoy a bite to eat. A lot of American bars and breweries are scattered throughout Gettysburg, as well as a traditional Italian pizza shop and a McDonalds.

The view from the tower by Devil's Den.

Much like Hershey Park, I'm fortunate to have grown up only a half-hour from Gettysburg. I know people that have traveled several hundred miles or more just to see the sites in person. I think the craziest license plate I've seen in the community parking was one from Missouri. It must be a psychological phenomenon to believe that things are less important because we grew up near them, because as many times as I've been to Gettysburg and acquaint as it is, I'm still deeply surprised that I see people coming from the other side of the United States to see the park. However, the same could be said for when I drive up to Maine, or when I decide to take a cross-country trip to see some obscure things in Montana. And it can definitely be said for that time I found myself wandering the streets of Paris.

So that being said, read up, and come out for a visit! There may be ghosts in the water, but rest assured, they are friendly.