Laurelville Retreat Center was a perfect location for this program. It reminded me of summer camp, which is not surprising since it is the location of summer camps as well as other kinds of year-round programs like this one on Frank Lloyd Wright.
I don't normally set my alarm for early morning rising while on vacation, but I was eager to enjoy the natural environs and the optional hikes. I've consolidated the pictures from the various walks here. None of the pictures of buildings were interesting enough to include.
The first morning Leah was our guide for an easy hike along Jacobs Creek. The creek was named for "Chief" Jacob. According to a plaque near this sculpture of him, his full name was Samuel Jacob and he was leader of one of the Delaware tribes settled in the area. He received his English name when he converted to Christianity.
Jacob was killed in a 1750 attack on his settlement. His son was accused of robbing the stage that ran through the area and the lawmen were trying to find him. The son was later apprehended and hung for his alleged crime.
We weren't told if the son received any due process or not.
The relationship between Europeans and Native Americans in 18th century Pennsylvania was as fraught with treachery and deceit as anywhere else in what became the U.S.
The sculpture by William C. Galley was completed in 1937.
Jacobs Creek is interrupted by a small dam on the border of the retreat center. It's a popular fishing spot.
On the afternoon of our first day, the "people mover" took us to a vantage point overlooking the neighboring hills and valleys. There had been recent torrential rains, and although the road had been regraded, it was a rough ride.
A labyrinth crowned the rise. A woman and her young son were walking its paths, but the arrival of noisy tourists could not have helped their meditations and they soon left.
The view over the Laurel Highlands is beautiful and worth contemplation.
It's hard to believe we are within 60 miles of Pittsburgh.
Many of us decided that walking back to the retreat center was better than the tooth-rattling people-mover.
I was experimenting with what passes as a "macro" capability of my camera. This tiny plant may be healall. The leaves don't look the same, but this is the closest I could find.
There were many wildflowers along the way.
Bluets were common throughout the retreat center.
They are also tiny flowers as can be seen by the bee visiting them.
Red trillium were here and there. They are supposed to stink, but I confess that I didn't get my nose close enough to tell.
Lichens of all sorts were everywhere. I like the circular patterns on this rock.
Rue anemone were plentiful.
Back at the retreat center there were plentiful, decidedly non-native, but lovely, iris.
Some yellow iris are invasive, but these aren't.
Jacobs Creek on its way to the Youghiogheny, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.
We will visit the Youghiogheny later in the week.
I was doing more experimentation with my camera settings. Shooting into the sun from a shaded area doesn't work very well so I tried an HDR or "High Dynamic Range" setting. It was only partially successful, but the result was interesting so I've included it here.
Click your "back" button to return to the previous page or click for our picture album.