Middle Creek, Lancaster, PA

Mon., Dec. 13. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Lancaster County. 2C8+. Meet at 9:00 AM., Valley Forge Park lower level parking lot below the Visitor Center. Middle Creek is known for the migration of large flocks of Snow Geese. We will repeat this hike in the spring, when migration takes place. For now, here's a chance to put off Christmas shopping!

Four of us (AMC-DV members) went for a Monday scouting hike in the Lancaster Area. Driving from the meeting point to the trailhead was hike leader Tom (Sherwood) and with us are AMC-DV No. 1 Hiker, Dale (Brandeth) and Bob (Lentz). We took 202S to 30W and hit US 322 on our way there. We passed by the scenic towns of Ephrata and Clay, Pennsylvania. Weather changed from cloudy (from the time we left Valley Forge) to sunny (when we got to the trailhead).

Tom suggested that we used the ''Orange vests" because it is still considered as hunting season and it is safe for hikers to do so. So, after prepping ourselves for the hike, we decided to take the 1.4-mile Conservation Trail first. Then, we proceeded to follow the Middle Creek Trail and onto the Deer Run Trail, passing thru some of the intersecting Horshoe Trail and the Valley View Trail. And finally, we took the SpiceBush Trail on our way back to the Wildlife Management Parking Area. We started the hike at around 10:45am and finished it by 2:40pm (almost four hours of hiking). Along the way, we climbed two (2) hills, saw the migrating birds on the lake, got 'side-tracked' twice :), and most of all, enjoyed the scenic spots that this wildlife reserve offers. Dale suggested that hikes on this area would be highly enjoyable in late Spring (around April-May)...and we promised we will be back then.

SIDETRIP: Clay Bookstore which sells various maps.

Boston, Massachussetts

The City of Sam Adams & Quincy Adams


Boston has always been the front-runner in the fight for freedom and civil liberties in America. It has the widest concentration of intellectuals with its diverse educational community.

It also boast of its historic beginnings dating back to the American Revolution and the Mayflower Landing.

I have always wanted to 'live' here in Boston. After so many years in the consulting business, I finally landed an assignment in the 'HUB' (other name of Boston). I find the city almost the same size as Philadelphia (where I live most of my stay in the US) and much smaller than New York City.

Center of Boston, for me, is the Faneuil Hall District. With its 'old-town' establishments, it gives you the feeling that you are indeed in Small Town, USA from way back. Food and delicacies are abound inside the Quincy Market --- a nice place for the weary tourists to have a quick bite.

Across the Quincy Market building is the old Faneuil Hall itself. It is open to the public and it houses a Post Office and a Park Ranger Station. Also nearby is the big plain facade of the Government Center --- the seat of government of the City of Boston. There is a sprawling esplanade infront of the center and an Orange Line T Station. They have occasional celebrations and fairs on these grounds in Summer.