My Visit to Knoebels

At age 22, I'd only been to a handful of amusement parks. I am an adrenaline junkie, and I love the feeling of falling out of the sky, but I just haven't had the money or time to take extended trips to go see amusement parks. At this point in time though, at the age of 22, I had already been to Knoebels, and it was time for me to go again. But this time, I would be going with my then girlfriend, who became a "BACA Child", or a kid who receives the services of Bikers Against Child Abuse. As such, I'll be sharing a bit about Knoebels and Baca both.

BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) began in 1995 when John Paul Lilly, known as the chief, noticed that a lot of his pediatric abuse patients still felt insecure in their neighborhoods and especially around their perpetrators. He noticed that whenever he rode his motorcycle with his friends, children felt safer and protected when he was around them. And so, he took one of his most favorite patients and invited some 40 bikers to the child house one day. The mother later reported that the child started riding his bicycle around the neighborhood again for the first time in months. The organization grew in popularity when a sexually abused child had to sit in court and testify against her father, who was also her abuser. BACA was there to stand behind her and support her every step of the way, and she became one of the most noteworthy BACA children.

Fast forward to 2016, where my girlfriend's PTSD regarding her father and his abuse has become so severe that it keeps her awake at night. She enlists to become a BACA child, quickly becoming part of the family, and before I know it, there are some 20 bikers or so at my house with her when I get off of work one day. I'm introduced to all of them, whom retain Anonymous identities for the sake of Health privacy, and do the same, giving me a nickname later that day. I became 'FIT', as I wanted to fit in and be physically fit. A month later, they have their annual picnic an amusement park they at Knoebels. I loved Knoebels the last time I went when I was 17, so I couldn't resist going.

Owned and operated by the Knoebels family since 1926, located in Elysburg Pennsylvania is Knoebels Amusement Park, the largest free admission amusement park in America. Although they have seen Leaps and Bounds over their career, they have long-standing Ben a family fun place for everybody, including roller coasters, a large water park, kids rides, haunted house attractions, and live entertainment. Going with BACA, my girlfriend and I got several bags full of Free Ride tickets, as well as free food. As such, the only thing I had to pay for the entire day was cotton candy. Needless to say, it was an awesome concept that I wasn't going to complain about.

Their oldest wooden roller coasters where the Phoenix and the tornado, and both will send you for a loop. No pun intended. There are two log flume rides are also and there are plenty of. Parking is also expansive, and even better yet, it is free. You can literally just walk around the park for the entire day and not get on any rides and not spend a dime. Or you can get a wristband for a day and spend $28, much better than any other amusement park I can think of. Whatever you decide, you will have a blast.

When the day is done, they have cheap catering services around every corner, and a family picnic & Campground. Staying the night there is also rather cost-efficient, as they have some of the cheapest camping fares Pennsylvania. It is family friendly, fun, and full of fantasy... And absolutely worth a visit if you can make it up there.

Park Contemplations

One day in April, I was working on my book at a local park. I was using my voice text on my phone to type up notes concerning the book I was writing about dementia care at the time. When I got to the park, there were two groups of children playing on the big toy and the swingset respectively. From being out in nature and typing my notes, catching up on some much-needed Vitamin D from the winter months, I noticed a couple of things:

1) Kids actually still go outside.

In process of getting older, although only 23 at the time, I've grown quite cynical of generations below me. Just as the generation before me was under the assumption that Millennials would amount to very little, I was under the impression that the Youth of Generation Z would be hiding and doors, engaging an antisocial activities and sitting on their cell phones and Xbox all day long. I was happy to note that this was not the case, and that on a wonderful day such as today, they were still outside enjoying the Sun at each other's company.

2) The youth in 2018 used much more vulgarity.

when I was a kid, if you use any sort of vulgar language, your mouth got smacked. Now, I would place these children at about 7 to 12 years old, and they swear like sailors. Very fascinating.

3) Their language is much more inclusive then the generations before.

I actually overheard a conversation with two of the older kids as they were talking about lgbtq and trying to identify who in the group might be. They talked about it openly, however, which is something that would have never happened when I was their age. this could potentially be the beginnings of positive culture change.

4) They still play games together.

One group of children were sitting at the big toy chatting away together, and another group went up to the basketball court to play kickball together. I'm so glad to see that kids are still going outside and participating in Pro social activities and games together, as I thought it was a long lost art myself. I just hope this continues for years to come.

I am by no means whatsoever bashing on any one particular generation or group of individuals in general. I am simply noticing observations I made about the world around me in recent years. Things are changing rapidly, and sometimes, I feel as though I cannot keep up. However, that's for the way the world is going, it's not as bad as people interpret it to be. Kids still have the ability to have kids, and exercise that right freely. We are all getting older, there's nothing we can do to change that. So it's important to remember to slow down and enjoy the sunlight at the park once in awhile.

Goats and Boats

In late 2017, I took a hike on the Billy Goat Trail in southern Maryland. This trail straddles Virginia and spans just three or four miles. However, these miles are filled with intense bouldering and rock climbing, as well as a Switchback or two. There is not a whole lot of flat hiking to be found. This like also straddles the Potomac River, and intersects with the historical loch houses of the Potomac watershed. Because of the nature of this Trail, the trails website encourages you to bring at least two liters of water, drink your water, definitely attempt to stay hydrated, and if you're hiking the a section of the trail, just leave the dogs at home.

The boat portion of the post.

Once you get past the guest house, which lies inside a Tavern and has a cute little gift shop, you will get to the trailheads as he walked past the locks. These historic water displacement systems allowed for boats to travel from a deeper area of water to a more shallow area of water, and before being shut down, these ones were operated by hand crank. Being a boat worker and docker barely pay the bills and was very intense labor. However, it was a very important job, as several hundred ships came in and out of this part of the river every day to deliver Goods inland two colonies that settled near the Potomac Watershed and Virginia and Maryland. Trains were just being developed at this time, and cars were a far cry from reality.

Another thing to see before hiking the trail is Olmsted Island. It is one of Maryland's last surviving completely self-sustaining ecosystems, and contains many hydroponic plants and flowers. It is a beautiful sight that overlooks the Potomac Rivers Majestic waterfall. Needless to say, I fell in love from the moment I laid eyes on it. It was quite a Blissful sight, and made for a wonderful photo opportunity.

The Island Portion of the Hike.

As for the hike itself, it was not a particularly easy one. The reason why dogs are not allowed on the trail is because there are a lot of slippery Solid Rock surfaces they must be scrambled during the hike. And by that, I mean a good third of the hike comprises crazy Cliffs and bouldering. Although these were very fun to climb, as all rock surfaces are for me, it was definitely easy to lose one's breath, and occasionally, site of the Trail Blazer's as well. What's some fortitude and a Keen Eye though, it was very possible to hike this Trail in less than 3 hours.

Overall difficulty, I would give this Trail a 4 out of 10. It's not a walk in the park, but it isn't going to break you, either. There are some difficult Rock scramble sections that involve some tact and planning to complete, and there are a few Rocky sections throughout the trail.

The "Goat" Portion of the hike.

What does make it worth it though are the trails views. Since the trail straddles the Potomac River, there are several sections where you can walk right up to the river at a beachfront, And get a bird's eye view from the top of a rock formation. It is a very populated Trail as well, so you're likely to meet some friends along the way. Does one particular part of the trail where I climbed to the top of a rock formation and sat with three strangers and stared at the river going Downstream. Being outdoors really does bring people together, and if you're ever near the Virginia side of Maryland, this Trail is absolutely worth seeing.

Expeditions in a Digital Age

I am no expert, but I do want to get my two cents on this topic. Many people feel that the world has gone smaller because of digital technology and the role that e-commerce play it's our society now. Although it is very profitable to start up a shop online or run a successful blog for passive income, it is still just as Grand of the world, and still just as hard to navigate from time to time.

Being a millennial, however, has its pros and cons. We are more likely to be accepting of others and put our minds to a variety of things at once, but we are less likely to be focused on a longitudinal approach to things. We will go where the money is and the job market is, even if that means sacrificing some friends, family, or job benefits along the way. That means navigating the job market has become much more difficult. you can now blast out your job application across the world in record timing. but, because of this, many places have more and more strict regulations on who can and cannot enter the country and work within its borders. send Skype messenger and online gaming has become so prominent, we're also much more likely to have friends across the ocean and make pen pals happen. It's a scary concept to some, but the others, it can be some of the most Comfort we have ever known. The downside to this however is that we might lose touch with the reality that is right in front of us we are so focused on meeting people from different countries and walks of life.

Shopping online has made a very possible to get killer deals on traveling at vacations, but it is just as easy to lose sight of how much money it will cost to survive both during the vacation and apart from it. Although it has become so easy to travel and make a profitable career out of traveling, it is still a very difficult Market to navigate.

So being a digital Nomad myself, I must warn the world around me that it is not all peaches and cream and hunky-dory. There are still many problems that exist in our world. hopefully we can circumnavigate the Monday with a little bit more open dialogue.

If you like this post or one more information about travel and commerce, don't forget to subscribe to my blog and stay up-to-date with new posts presented weekly.

Pine Grove Furnace

Historically speaking, Pine Grove furnace State Park Mark the exact Midway point of the Appalachian Trail for many many years until it was expanded upon. Laurel Lake is contained in the park, and it is in the middle of Machaux State Forest. needless to say, it is quite an intense Journey when we arrived.

And there was a freshwater spring!

When we arrived, my friend and I were immediately taken aback by the view of the Waterfront Dam. It was beautiful.

It churns several hundred gallons of fresh water every day.

Pole steppe was a 1.5 mile trail near the side of the Appalachian Trail that intersected with Pine Grove furnace. Of course, which is the most difficult., set our eyes for the Stars, and while star Cavs were crying and Agony the entire time, we enjoyed quite a perilous hike.

Honestly, this hike was probably closer to a 6.5.out of 10. this was because I chose the harder path which involve climbing 50 feet up the side of a mountain to get to the highest point in the park. There was no let-up from the Switchback, as I was a straight shot up a hill for the entirety of the hike. admittedly, The View from here was better than the view from the highest point in the state, which I talked about here. Is absolutely something that I would recommend friends.

The view, though? Worth it.

Big Schloss

Spring breaks are normally used for drinking and partying. Instead, I used mine to go hiking. Big Schloss means big castle in German, and with a summit of 2164 feet, it definitely lives up to its expectation. The hike itself isn't all that challenging, with most of the switchbacks being incredibly minor and early on in and the adventure. Around every single turn, however, lies a beautiful photo opportunity of the Appalachian Mountain Valley and the Shenandoah River Valley. Since the mountain itself lies in the greater Appalachian Mountain section and borders the Shenandoah, there are lots of Scenic views to be shared between Virginia and West Virginia throughout the entire hike.

Here is one of many beautiful panoramas of the area.

For a total difficulty of this like, I would put it at about a 3 out of 10. There was a hefty section in the beginning the required some walking straight uphill, but once you got to the switchbacks, they were actually very mild compared to other trails and both the Appalachian and Shenandoah ranges. There are no rock scrambles, and most of the hike is over flat ground that does not flood very easily. There is some optional rock climbing, which gets you a couple of cool pictures, but nothing too severe or major.

You'll start your day near a small town in West Virginia, supplying up on trail mix, energy bars, and whatever lunch or dinner you intend to eat on the trail. The sun will be directly overhead for most of the hike, but there is just enough tree coverage to prevent you from overheating. Pack your containers full of water and your typical hiking supplies though, and all will be okay. It is very hard to overexert yourself on this mountain, as it is meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

During my hike, I encountered no wildlife besides a couple of birds chirping in the trees. I did, however, enjoy crossing a footbridge to the summit and enjoying the silent beautiful realm of nature. Being one of the tallest mountains in West Virginia, with its Summit itself being in Virginia, it was quite an incredible Adventure to see the mountainside in all of his glory. My shadow was cast over the entire valley because of the way the sun hit the cliff face.

And I felt magnificent.

Once you're done hiking, Harpers Ferry is about 20 minutes away for another fun and fancy stop on your travels. There are also another couple of towns nearby that I'll provide their own cute little charm. The biggest reason I would say to hike this mountain is because it is a fun and enjoyable hike for anybody in the family. So if you need a weekend activity, this is how to do it.

My Mission Statement and Ambition

Hello dear readers, one and all.

As you read some of my blog content in the next coming days, weeks, and Dearest, it may occur to you that I attempted to do a lot of outlandish stuff.

It occurred to me that I do some pretty outlandish stuff. Things that most people don't think of doing on an average basis. And I'm perfectly okay with that. I like that, and I live for that.

This post is to share a bit of my ambition and my mission statement, now that you've gotten to know a bit more about me through my first couple of posts.

I am a broke college graduate, looking to find the most sustainable way to travel, and to do so whenever I have even the slightest bit of pocket change.

My intent is to share stories to inspire the community that reads them, and to inspire people to get outside and do more. My boy scout troop put the out in scouting, and that is exactly what I have grown to live for.

My ambition is to see as much of the world as humanly possible in my short life. Being born in the

United States, and being born Male, my prescribed life expectancy is roughly 78 years of age. Given that I was 23 at the time of writing this post, that means I had approximately 55 years left to explore.

My mission statement is to right the world through dialogue, search for peace from within, and to help tear down walls that have divided us for so long. The easiest way I know how to do that is to write, to speak up, and to put myself out there.

Whether I am working with patients, performing on stage, speaking in public, or privately working on writing new music and literature, my end goal will always remain the same. My end goal is to prove to myself, and eventually to others, that anything is possible if you believe in yourself first.

As hominids, as Earthlings, we learn and grow and inspire every single day. When we stop doing this, then we have ceased to function and live. I will share what I learned in the only ways that I know how, as excessively to the public as possible.

Life is a journey. Where is your destination, and what roads will you take?

Taken near the Potomac River.

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.