84-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 15, 1994 a fam -And <**^lk| Joyce Bnpp aHHI “Do you realize,” I said, admitting a sobering thought to The Fanner, “that we’re the old est people here?” Not that there were many peo ple around to begin with. Towering around us were thick stands of classic, Pennsyl vania hardwood forest. Rocky walls climbed steeply from the streambed draining an increasing ly narrow ravine. A well-worn trail led the way through the seemingly-endless stretch of creekside hiking, occasionally crossing the water’s sometimes turbulent, sometimes placid stretches. High overhead, blue skies framed the far-away tops of the trees and fingers of bright sunshine poked through the canopy of green. What a wild, beautiful and peaceful setting. In an hour of hiking, we’d seen less than a dozen fellow humans. And they all appeared to be under about 22 years of age. But where were the waterfalls we’d heard about? After gentle, uphill, climbing at a steady pace on this trail for what was begin ning to seem like forever, frankly, I was getting impatient. Sure, this medium-sized stream had three and four-foot cascades tumbling over rocks, but, gosh, there must be more than this to warrant the raves we’d heard. Suddenly, we rounded a bend and were given a choice, two forks to the trail, splitting off in a “Y.” One paralleled the stream we’d been enjoying, the other took a steep climb along a slightly smaller one. And a wooden sign-map showed that along the loop formed by the split trails were the natural attractions of this isolated mountain preserve: more than twenty waterfalls ranging from less than 20 feet of drop to the highest —nearly 100 feet. There were also warnings about slip pery trails, steep dropoffs and extreme danger posed by icy con ditions. On that May afternoon, there was no ice; and early, dry condi tions had rendered the streamflow lower than usual for the season. Still, the rugged climb along increasingly steep ravine sides was exhilarating and challenging, laced with steps sometimes cut into the rock and wet spots where small springs oozed across the narrow cliffside path. Nothing we’d ever read or heard prepared us for the awe some, rugged beauty of the Glens Natural Area, a national natural landmark. The few-mile loop along the series of waterfalls that drop hundreds of feet down these mountains took less time to hike than the lengthy walk in from the lower parking area. Each water fall was beautiful, some more majestic than others; the highest one was breathtaking. Especially from the edge of the trail along the top. Looking down. On the border of Sullivan and Luzerne counties, Glens Natural Area is part of Ricketts Glen State Park, a secluded preserve in a heavily-forested mountain area. Though it has lakes and camping, the weekday we hiked there few people seemed to know it exist- deo Dispels Misconceptions About Agriculture Vi UNIVERSITY PARK, (Centre Co.) Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has a new tool to attract high school students who may be more familiar with microbiology than farming. “Penn State Ag Sciences... We’re more than you think!,” a 23-minute video, is aimed at high school students, science teachers and guidance counselors who may not know the scope of agricultural science. About a dozen under graduates explain why they attend Penn State’s College of Agricul tural Sciences. Dr. Marianne Houser, coordi nator of undergraduate recruit ment in the college, supervised ed—the very sort of place we seek out on those limited times we can sneak away from the farm. This pristine, well-hidden glen of waterfalls is accessible only by foot—preferably clad in sturdy hiking shoes or solid sneakers. We trekked up, down and around some eight miles of mountain that afternoon in under four hours, learning midway that the park’s upper entrance is much closer to the waterfalls trail. And we did eventually pass on a steep section of rocky path one couple obvi ously older than we were, physi cally-fit and probahfc each 70- years-old-plus. Crisp air, bright sunshine, clear blue skies and colored leaves scenery are all free and never more gorgeous than now in mid-October. And all around us are beautiful, untouched places— like Glens Natural Area —waiting to be discovered, just by putting one foot in front of the other. Do yourself a favor. Take a hike. * HEALTH INSURANCE "I . COSTS GETTING YOU DOWN? GIVE US A CALL AFFORDABLE MAJOR MEDICAL PLANS DEDUCTIBLES FROM $250-$2500 THE FINANCIAL SERVICES CO. CALL FOR DETAILS AND A QUOTE - 1-800-795-7334 GOOD FOOD OUTLET STORES See Our Original Line Of Golden Barrel Products Plus All Kinds Of Beans, Candies, Dried Fruit, Snack Mixes, Etc. 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Main St., Leola, PA 17540 717-656-3488 1-800-633-2676 - Wl2 UPS DAILY - production, identified undergrad uates and conducted the inter views. “We wanted to present the laboratories, classes, living envi ronments and other aspects of col lege life from the point of view of the students,” says Houser. Rebecca Sonnen, who graduat ed with a degree in agricultural science in 1993, narrates the video. She begins by stopping Penn Staters at random and asking what they think agricultural sci ence is about. Almost all answer “just farming.” That misconcep tion is shattered as the program showcases opportunities in fields ranging from agronomy to wildlife science. The video covers academic life from enrolling to graduating and starting a career. Students discuss not only their majors, but also their experiences with research projects, internships and study aboard programs, as well as nonacademic activities. The video was produced by Agricultural Information Services in the college. “We tried to tell the personal stories of these stu dents,” Says Elissa Morgan, senior producer-director. “We wanted viewers to know what it’s really like to attend college here, not just what programs or new equipment we had.” Gingerbread House Competition Lebanon (Lebanon Co.) North Mountain 4-H Club will hold a Gingerbread House Com petition at the Quality Inn, Leba non, on November 18 and 19. Seven categories are available for individual, adults, children, groups, and professionals. Contes tants pay to enter. A first prize is available in each category. Profits will be distributed to the If your local itoic doea not have it, SEND FOR FREE BROCHURE One segment focuses on differ ent housing options, including the Freshman in Science and Engi neering (FISE) special interest residence hall, an agriculture hon orary fraternity house and even the student housing at the col lege’s research farms. Many of the students inter viewed report that the college’s close-knit and supportive nature is a key to making their academic experience a success. “Penn State is a big place, but in the College of Agricultural Sciences I can feel like I’m home, “ said Robert Tor res, a senior with a dual major in agricultural science and philoso phy. The College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society spon sored duplication of the video. Over 500 copies have been deliv ered to extension agents, alumni, Penn State admission officers and select high schools. To see the video or to obtain a copy for your high school or youth group, contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension office in your county or the Office for Resident Education, Penn State College o£ Agricultur al Sciences. 101 Agricultural Administration Building, Univer sity Park, PA 16801; (814) 865- 7521. educational computer fund for a 4-H member of the North Moun tain Club who has leukemia and cannot attend school and to the Four Diamonds Program of the Leukemia Society. Pick up rules at the Lebanon Extension office or send a self addressed stamped envelope to 2120 Cornwall Rd., Suite 1, Leba non. PA 17042-9777. DOE’S PRIDE" NATURAL GOAT MILK ]ls U SOAP • It’s especially GENTLE on your skin •It’s NATURAL and PURE • There's NO allergy-producing fragrance, dye, color or preservative added SEND FOR FREE INFORMATION or CALL TOLL FREE HOMIER 1-800-542-7180 HOME SOAP WORKS P.O. 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