Laurel Highlands Fall Foliage
We took a trip over the past three days to see the fall foliage at the Laurel Highlands and see Fallingwater in the fall. Here is the itinerary:
1. Drove to Somerset (about 3 hours).
2. From route 30, took Laurel Summit Road (a lot of it gravel) south to Beam Rocks. The trail to the rocks is easy, about 1/2 mile on level ground. You can see a long ways from Beam Rocks. The leaves are muted this year, but still saw a lot of color. The Beam Rocks are huge and shear, without any improvements, such as handrails, so care is needed.
3. Continued south on Laurel Summit Road to Laurel Summit State Park. Took a short trail to the Spruce Flats Bog. The Bog was easily 15-20 acres. There was a wooden walkway about 50 feet into the bog. I don't recall ever seeing a bog that large before. As we were leaving, a family was going into the bog to pick cranberries.
4. Continued south to Penn Scenic View. Tried to follow the Google Map instructions, but the roads in the forest were not marked. We turned when it seemed about right. Somehow we made it with only a couple of wrong turns. Penn Scenic View is a private area that has a tower at the peak of the hill on the property. It is open to the public for free. The tower provided a beautiful view. The wind was easily 30 mph.
5. By this time, it was late enough in the day that we needed to get to Fallingwater. Followed 653 west to 381 and then south on 381 to the Fallingwater entrance. The leaves were much more colorful as we went down in altitude. Bought grounds passes for $8 each and wandered the grounds, especially trying to get pictures of Fallingwater from the downstream lookout point. Wanted to get pictures without anyone in them, but it was a very busy day and did not succeed.
6. Had supper at the Lucky Dog Cafe in Confluence. Interesting place and the food was good. They had T-shirts and hoodies with their logo, name, and Volkswagen Bus. We can't resist a Volkswagen Bus, so we bought a hoodie.
7. Stayed the night at Hartzell House B&B. This is the third time we have stayed there and recommend it highly.
8. The next day, we went to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. While my wife went to the Spa and had the Woodlands Classic Collection, I golfed at The Links. Very expensive, but it was my wife's birthday and she had never been to a spa before. She was literally glowing when I finished golfing and met her at the spa.
We had never heard of the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort before our first trip last year to the Laurel Highlands. I don't know why they don't advertise it more in the DC area. It is a huge resort, with the spa, 2 golf courses, shooting academy, a zoo, and many other activities. It is, however, very expensive.
9. Back to the B&B. The next morning, David, one of the owners of the B&B, took us to the Addison Toll House, where he is doing some restoration work. It is one of the few remaining toll houses on the National Road. It is owned by the Daughters of the Revolution, and it is open infrequently, so we were glad that David could show it to us.
Back home.
