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Hittin’ the Pennsylvania Wilds Mega Loop

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Hittin' the Pennsylvania Wilds Mega Loop

 

Paws on the PAW

It’s that time. The forest is calling. Before us a trail unfurls, weaving through hollows, cresting rocky mountains, crossing creek and river. We’ll walk every mile. And when we’re done, we’ll end up right back where we started. Though, I am certain we won’t be the same. 

This weekend Amos and I will embark on a relatively new trail, the nearly 300-mile Pennsylvania Wilds Mega Loop, aka the PAW Mega Loop, or simply the PAW for short. This route was conceived by the PAW Mega Loop Committee, which is comprised of dedicated members of the Keystone Trails Association. The route has undergone a variety of changes over the years, all in an effort to guide the hiker into the most exceptional natural areas that the Pennsylvania Wilds has to offer. The PAW began as a linear route, a sort of choose-your-own-adventure, and today is a loop. And it’s still in the works. 

The Pennsylvania Wilds are home to a treasure trove of long-distance hiking trails. The PAW Mega Loop utilizes portions of these trails and connects them via secondary trails, forest roads, and timber paths. Some of which have yet to be fully cut and prepped for the hiker. There is much I do not know about this route, but I can rattle off the established trails that I’ll be exploring. I’ll begin on the Susquehannock Trail System and head clockwise to the Black Forest Trail, the West Rim Trail and the Mid State Trail. I’ll then weave down the Donut Hole Trail and over to the Chuck Keiper Trail. A patchwork of paths, some not cleared and not yet blazed, and lightly traveled roads will lead me into the Quehanna Wild Area and onto the Quehanna Trail. From there, it’s over to the Old Sinnemahoing Trail, and back to the Donut Hole, by which will lead me back to the Susquehannock Trail in the village of Cross Fork. After a detour through the Hammersly Wild Area, I’ll return once more to the Susquehannock Trail, traveling clockwise back to the beginning.

That’s if all goes according to plan. There are many uncertainties about this route. It is circuitous, requiring about a dozen maps and a large handful of guidebooks and apps. We’ll be hiking into late October, temps are likely to drop sometime. And services are slim. Every resupply, all seven of them, will be via a maildrop. I hope I remembered everything! But most importantly, this is not just only my hike. This is Amos’ hike. And he calls the shots.

Amos Moses had serious surgery on his cruciate ligament back in March. The vet warned me there were no guarantees that he’d ever hike a long-distance hike again. Today, I am grateful to declare our very cautious vet has officially cleared him for another long trek. That’s right, Amos will put paws on the PAW! We have been graced with more hikes together.  

We hit the trail this weekend! I’ve got Pete Fleszar’s informal guide to the trail, a navigation device, all the maps, and even some borrowed guidebooks courtesy of Jenn Ulmer. And the pack is bursting at the seams (remember I’m packing for two). Thank you to the PAW Mega Loop Committee and the Keystone Trails Association for all they do to make journeys like mine possible. PA WILDS here we come!

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Where to buy trees in the UK?

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Where to buy trees in the UK?

I want plant 10 or so fruit and nut trees in my new garden. Looking at vendors like Thompson and Morgan or Crocus they seem relatively pricey and I have no idea if they deliver value or not. Reviews suggest some people have had problems with their trees dying in the first few weeks (might be a vocal minority as is common for reviews) and for the same/similar variety is it worth it compared to say B&Q (or dare I say even B&M)? I’ll need delivery too.

Side query: What are your top recommendations for fruit and nut tree/varieties? I’m zone 9a, coastal northeast England.

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Permaculture property deal

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Permaculture property deal

I’m looking to sell this property and hoping it gets into the hands of a permaculturist. There’s some lower lying potion that I think would do incredibly well for an orchard and not need much watering. Beautiful wooded portion, utilities available at the street. Perfect for anyone wanting the benefits of 2.7 acres within a climate haven.

I’d happily make a deal with someone who will treat the land right.

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Auntie Robin loves palms

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Auntie Robin loves palms

I’ve followed for awhile now and met her in person while standing in line at Hortlandia last year (or was it the year before?). I knew the woman loved palm trees but I was not prepared for this…

I visited her garden in person last month and was blown away by the sheer number of palms.

Her garden is large—more than 4 times the size of my lot—and Robin says she’s planted 19 different palm varieties and 48 total palms! I’m always curious about the roots of people who live in the Portland area but grow plants that aren’t typically found here, so I asked Robin about that: “I am from Oregon but have traveled the world. I love the architectural way you can use palms. I am a sculptor and working with shapes and forms is my element. Throw in my love of plants and my nerdy side and I am a happy girl.“

Those raised planters aren’t just for looks, she uses them to create a custom planting soil mix and… “I build the raised beds with heat cables. I know I am on the edge of zonal denial. Plus, online there’s a bunch of us that share data on winters challenges. They have taught me a lot over the last couple years.” you read that right, she can heat the root zone of these plants!

A few more photos of the front garden…

And then we move to the back garden…

There’s a large deck off the back of Robin’s home, where you get a great view looking down on the back garden…

As you might imagine, when you’ve got a thing for palms, you also go all in for tiki culture…

The tiki lounge is tucked under the deck, perfect for enjoying the garden year-round.

I love these three tall planter bases, raised planting bowls are always the right answer to more plants!

Naturally there are big bananas, wherever there are palms, there are usually bananas.

Another covered lounge spot.

Do I see another palm? Yes of course I do…

Schefflera taiwaniana (Heptapleurum taiwanianum) with a Sinopanax formosanus on the left.

Looking back over my shoulder…

And up towards the house.. pretty amazing, right?

Robin was adamant that her garden isn’t ready for prime time viewing yet, as she’s still working on it (aren’t we all?). I appreciate her letting me share these photos as they show just how much work she’s done already, and I’ll have something to compare to when she has her first big open garden. Thanks Robin!

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