Pennsylvania Wilds, and Cool, Clear Water

My husband and I had a lovely visit with family in the Johnstown area for much of the Easter holiday. The weather became unexpectedly beautiful - sunny and warm, almost summer-like. So on our return trip later in the afternoon, we decided to take a different back road home.

We seized the opportunity to hike in a section of Moshannon State Forest we had not visited before. We didn't really have the gear or the time for a major exploration, so it was just a quick reconnaissance mission. Rest assured that we'll be back again, for there is much more to explore!

The tract features one of the most beautiful natural springs I have ever witnessed in Pennsylvania. The water bubbles up from the ground cool and clear, and it drains into a pretty little pond. The spring's strong flow and green pathway reminded me very much of the springs of central Florida, which my husband and I have loved, but have not visited in far too many years. But the woods surrounding the area are pure Pennsylvania, lined with many big trees and rhododendrons.

The reason we have not visited this area before is that the land was not always part of the state forest system. It was acquired recently, and a statement from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources describes the acquisition thusly:

“Graced with several natural springs and a large pond, numerous hiking trails, and an important plant community, this tract is among the largest and most ecologically intact forest areas in southeastern Clearfield County."

Fresh, clean water is one of the world's most important and valuable resources; it is critical to the life and welfare of all living creatures on this planet. In many parts of the world, water is revered and treated as the precious commodity that it is. However, in Pennsylvania, many of us take it for granted. Standing by this spring on a lovely Easter afternoon, I took a moment to be grateful for the blessing of cool, clear water.

I've decided to include two songs about water with this photo. One is country and the other is rock. The first is a song I've been listening to my father play on the stereo at home since I was a little girl. I'm not sure this is the version we had at home, but some people consider it the best version: Hank Williams, with Cool Water. The song was notably covered by Bob Dylan and also by Johnny Cash. (And - if you can believe it - the song was also covered by Fleetwood Mac; it was a B-side to the Gypsy single.) And the second song is for the rockers! Here is The Who, with Water (live at Tanglewood, 1970).