Showing posts with label Pennsylvania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pennsylvania. Show all posts

Monday, January 12, 2015

Two Reasons to Plan Your Visit to Brandywine Valley Area Now.

Longwood Gardens: Orchid Extravaganza
Some people would not automatically consider a day trip to rural, southeastern Pennsylvania in the winter.  In fact, I can almost hear you thinking, "Drive to Pennsylvania, in the winter? In the snow? Oh no!"  However, I don't think I will have to work very long or hard to convince you, there are two very exciting reasons to visit the Brandywine River area of Pennsylvania. Especially at this time of year.

Longwood Gardens: Orchid Extravaganza


The first reason to travel to Brandywine Valley, during the cold months, is the Orchid Extravaganza.  Longwood Gardens is an amazing botannical garden and is a highly recommended destination during any time of year. Last year was my maiden voyage to Longwood Gardens and it was just coincidence that the orchid extravaganza was in full swing at the time. It was amazing. I will never forget the sights and the scents. I was lost in a world of tropical flowers while there was still snow on the ground outdoors.

This year the Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens dates are January 24 to March 29, 2015.  I will return this year. I advise you to not miss it. 

Brandywine River Museum: Wyeth exhibitions


The second reason to travel Pennsylvania during the cold months is Brandywine River Museum and the Wyeth art exhibitions. If you like Wyeth art, as I do, you will be thrilled to learn that the Andrew Wyeth; Lines of Thought exhibition continues until March 15, 2015 and the Jamie Wyeth exhibition will be held January 17 through April 5, 2015.

I think Wyeth art (all three Wyeth's) is breathtaking and well worth the drive to see it in person. I've been to the Brandywine River Museum a handful of times and have had a wonderful experience each time I've been there.  I will go up for the Jamie Wyeth exhibit this year. 
Andrew Wyeth: Memory and Magic

If you aren't able to visit the museum in person, but enjoy Andrew Wyeth paintings, I highly recommend Andrew Wyeth: Memory and Magic.  It is a 224 page in-home art exhibit.  Clearly, seeing the paintings hanging on the wall just a few inches away is the best way to view them. but this is the second best way to see a wide selection of Andrew Wyeth's works. 

Snow and cold, or not, just go.  I don't think you will regret it.  Longwood Gardens and Brandywine River Museum are just two little nuggets of travel gold in this area of Pennsylvania.





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Monday, August 4, 2014

A Funicular Good Time in Pennyslvania

As someone who loves to explore the mid-Atlantic region, I am most familiar with places of interest in my home state, Maryland.   While I have visited some amazing places in Pennsylvania, our neighbor to the north, I am not as familiar with the beautiful Keystone state as I would like to be.

Ohiopyle Falls
I have visited the Brandywine Art Museum and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.  Years ago, I visited amazing places such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water and Ohiopyle State Park in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. I enjoyed that trip so much that I plan to do it again in the near future. But I have compiled a lengthy list of other interesting places in Pennsylvania I have yet to see.  

Prior to the closing of a writing site called Squidoo, I read a wonderful travel article by a writer named leahjsong.  Because of her article there, I have added another destination to my list.   

There is a thing in Johnstown, PA that is worth visiting. Johnstown is home to the "World's Steepest Vehicular Inclined Plane".  The funicular was built long ago as small town's response to disaster and plans to not allow history to repeat itself.  The result is an interesting historical place to visit.

Pennsylvania is a wonderful place to wander. The Laurel Highlands are the western ridges of the Appalachian Mountains – east of Pittsburgh - and so far is my favorite area.  It is lush and mountainous terrain with rapid rivers in the valleys and breathtaking scenery all around. I am anxious to return.  Come to think of it, Johnstown is not too terribly far from the Ohiopyle State Park area.  I do believe this would be a wonderful long weekend trip.



Image Credit: Image CC by 2.0 By Kathy from just livin' in a small town in SW PA, USA via Wikimedia Commons








Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Monday, April 7, 2014

Mid-Atlantic Authors

Just in case you have not noticed, I love the Mid-Atlantic region. I’d love for everyone to experience a part of this area, whichever part they would enjoy most. Whether that enjoyment would come from the beach or the mountains, quiet countryside or bustling city, hot summer nights or cold snowy days... I wish everyone could have a personal experience here.

I realize that traveling and vacations are sometimes difficult.  Luxuries like travel are becoming increasingly difficult as the economy has taken such a toll on so many people.

When I can’t travel, and I usually can’t beyond this region, I turn to books.  I can read about faraway lands and adventures that I may never take. I already feel as though I’ve done a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, even though I have only done a short walk on a couple of different portions of the trail in this immediate area. That is the magic of books.


I’d like for you to know about my three favorite Mid-Atlantic authors.

Suzanne McMinn writes about her life in rural West Virginia.

Tawni O’Dell tells us stories about coal mining areas, and the people who live there, in Pennsylvania.

Nora Roberts tells too many stories to list, but I want to point out that she tells us stories that take place in BoonsBoro, Maryland and on the Chesapeake Bay.

I hope you check out these authors and their stories.  And if you are interested, I’ve given you a place to help review these books and to browse more of their writing.

Until you can come to the Mid-Atlantic in person, pick up a book and travel here through the magic of words. Enjoy your adventure! 


Image Credit: Image is ©Dawn Rae – All Rights Reserved (Click on photo for larger view)



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Monday, March 31, 2014

Brandywine Valley

Where is Brandywine Valley?  I cannot say exactly as this is something I am learning as I explore the mid-Atlantic region.  The Brandywine Valley area is a watershed area and consists of at least Delaware and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania.

Why do I care about trying to define the location of the area?  Because I am learning that there is much to do and see in that area and I am trying to give clear directions and good references for more information.  Initially, I tried to divide the area and attractions into two counties: Chester and Delaware.  But I could not determine which county Longwood Gardens was located in.  On the internet, it almost seems as though both counties lay claim to this amazing botanical garden. 

So, I will from now on refer to this area as the Brandywine Valley.

We have taken many drives through this area.  We have made several stops at the Brandywine Art Museum. I highly recommend that you put it on your list of places to experience.  Andrew Wyeth was an amazing artist and if you aren’t familiar with him, I think that you should be.

I recently discovered Longwood Gardens and I have discussed it in an earlier blog entry. I won’t go into details again since you can read my original article for yourself. But I will say that this is an enchanted place and next time I go, I will plan to spend the entire day.

In addition to these two amazing points of interest, I have now added the following to my list of places to see in the Brandywine Valley area:




*The Chester County Covered Bridges Trail


*Local Wineries 

To compile your own list of attractions and event to see, these are two sites that will be of much help Brandywine Valley and The Brandywine. They have similar names but are two different sources of information.

Stay tuned in order to learn more about the Brandywine Valley area as I have opportunities for further adventures. Or you can follow me on my Mid-Atlantic Travel with Dawn Rae facebook page. 

If you have traveled this area, I would love to hear from you.



Image Credit: Images are mine ©Dawn Rae – All Rights Reserved (Click on photo for larger view)






















Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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