From the Edge of Glory to the Edge of Madness

Hi All,

So this is my first post on this new blog which will be primarily about my travel experiences. I hope you will find much joy, humor and excitement in this blog that will spur you to go create your own adventures. Please feel free to leave comments.

I revved up the engine of my trusty Ford Focus to set out on adventure into the wilderness of Adams County, PA today. Brian and I went on our yearly pilgrimage to Fuller Lake, an old quarry with a man-made beach. The Appalachian Mountains guard this exotic, little gem as the Secret Service guard the President. The cool air from the nearby creek and the shade of tall evergreens create a relaxing breath of fresh air and an "aaaahh" moment. The water, though not as clear and blue as what you might expect from a quarry, is nevertheless refreshing. I swam out into the deep parts, away from the splashing kiddies to find my own "aaaahhh" moment. At 26 feet deep, it's a little hard to not be afraid of the water. I had that nagging fear that we all sometimes get--that a snapping turtle would surface only to bite me where the sun doesn't shine. Suddenly, I found my mind wandering from snapping turtles to sharks and alligators. Hey, I know it sounds ridiculous, but it could theoretically happen, right? What happens when people find them growing too big for their aquariums? They have to be set loose somewhere...

Next, Brian wanted to show me Kings Gap--a view of the South Mountain (Cumberland Valley) between Shippensburg and Carlisle, PA. It's about 15 minutes along 34 (I wasn't really paying attention to cardinal directions, but I think it was North). At the top of the sprawling landscape was a mansion where, according to him, the state park rangers meet for conferences. Throughout the summer and fall, events are held, some free and some at a cost. We decided to return later in the summer for the guided historical kayak trip. For info, check out the state department of conservation and natural resources at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kingsgap.aspx.

As always we decided to rock out to the latest Lady Gaga hit on our way home. It's kind of like a closing ritual for a day of fun. Her new single, The Edge of Glory, describes the kind of day we had. I always like to do a little karaoke along with the music in my best opera voice. I think for Brian, I took the Edge of Glory to the Edge of... Awful! I don't have that rendition, but you can close your eyes and imagine. Until next time... Peace out, girl scout!