The Wandering Disciple

Walking up to the pathway to this mansion in Lancaster Township, you can see the elegance. In fact, the mansion almost looks fit for a president. Well that’s because it is the home of former President James Buchanan. Known commonly as Wheatland, the home served as the home to Buchanan from 1848 until his death. From the elegant mansion Buchanan served as the ambassador to Great Britain and as President of the United States.  Today Wheatland is part of the LancasterHistory museum. As part of your visit to the museum, you can learn about our country’s fifteenth president and get an opportunity to get an inside look at his home which hosted some of the most influential people during the period.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at LancasterHistory (Lancaster, PA)

For almost 100 years, the Landis Valley House Hotel was the crossroads of Lancaster County. From its strategic site in Landis Valley, the hotel was the center of life in the valley. But it was much more than just a lodge, it served as a restaurant, bar, post office, livestock auction, polling place and many more social functions. It was even the site of a shooting duel in 1886.  It was built in 1856 by Jacob Landis Jr. It served as a lodge up until 1930 when it became a restaurant. It would eventually be bought by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and is now on display as part of the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (Lancaster, PA) 

Perched atop the south end of Mount Penn, the Reading Pagoda has stood as a symbol of the city for over a hundred years. The Pagoda was built in 1907 to become the centerpiece of a luxury hotel. But the hotel never materialized and the Pagoda was gifted to the City of Reading in 1911.   Today it stands tall above Reading as a symbol of the city. You can see the Pagoda high above the hill from throughout the city. Or you can take the drive up Skyline Drive to the Pagoda and take in the panoramic view from the Pagoda and its adjacent park.  Taken: July 13, 2023 at Reading Pagoda (Reading, PA)

Fans of the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World may see some resemblance with this historic mansion in Jim Thorpe and the popular Florida theme park attraction. The exterior Harry Packer Mansion was the inspiration for the Haunted Mansion ride. But unlike the Florida attraction, you don’t need to become the thousandth haunt to spend a night in the mansion, the Harry Packer Mansion is now a popular bed and breakfast.  Built in 1874 by renowned architect Addison Hutton, the mansion features Victorian-age furnishings throughout the home. It was gifted to Harry Packer by his dad, Asa Packer who was a railroad magnate and eventually a political in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.   Taken: July 13, 2023 (Jim Thorpe, PA) 

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway sits in the station in downtown Jim Thorpe awaiting its next excursion into the wood. Operated by the Reading and Northern Railroad, the scenic train ride takes visitors along into the Lehigh Gorge State Park for a journey along the Lehigh River.  The train operates on the historic rails of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The Central was one of two railroads that serviced Jim Thorpe in late 1800’s and early 1900’s. While the Central and its competitor Lehigh Valley Railroad have given way to modern railroads, the tracks still remain in operation connecting Jim Thorpe with the east coast via rails.  Taken: July 13, 2023 at Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (Jim Thorpe, PA) 

In the tribal language of the Sac and Fox, Wa-Tho-Huck translates to “path lit up at night by a bolt of lightning”. This was the name given to a gifted athlete who would later be known as Jim Thorpe. Born in Oklahoma, Thorpe would become a three-sport athlete and an Olympian.  Following his death, his wife at the time made an agreement with Mauch Chunk to have Thorpe buried there and the town name was changed to Jim Thorpe. As part of this agreement, a memorial park was dedicated to Thorpe where is body was laid to rest. Today the park is filled with monuments dedicated to him including this once called “The Spirit of Thunder and Lighting” which pays tribute to his Indian heritage.  Taken: July 13, 2023 at Jim Thorpe Memorial Park (Jim Thorpe, PA)

The Keystone State is home to over 180 waterfalls and a bunch of them are found within the Poconos. Located in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, the Poconos are home to some of the best waterfalls in the state including the largest one found in the state. This is Dingmans Falls located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.  Dingmans Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. It rises 130 feet above the hiking trail along Dingmans Creek. It is one of eight major waterfalls that can be found in the Delaware Water Gap NRA and one of two waterfalls found on the Dingmans Creek hiking trail. Taken: July 13, 2023 at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Dingmans Ferry, PA)  Photo of the Day: July 25, 2023