36: Visited McConnell's Mill

                           Another Day                               Another State Park!

Well it only took a week or so after discovering Moraine that I adventured a few miles in the other direction to McConnell's Mill................................... I was most definitely NOT disappointed! Now do not start thinking that New Park means new love of my life hangout spot, because that is most definitely not true. For bike rides and lounging in the sun, you better look for me at Moraine, so far there is a 99% chance I will be found there. However, if I want to hike, without a doubt I will be at McConnell's........somewhere.

So prior to discovering and exploring McConnell's Mill I did ask some friends about the park as well as do a bit of research, mainly because of my friend's responses. McConnell's Mill was originally an old gristmill on SLippery Rock Creek owned by Daniel Kennedy in 1852, but in 1868 the mill was unfortunately destroyed by a fire but quickly rebuilt. In 1875 the Mill changed hands to Thomas McConnell, yes there is the name McConnell, and once he gained ownership McConnell replaced the old waterwheel, water turbines, and grindstones with rolling mills making the mill the first rolling mills in the country. With this happening the Mills became known as McConnell's Mill. During it's running time it processed oats, buckwheat, wheat, and corn until its unfortunate end in 1928. However, upon its end of work, its namesake and beauty were preserved, Thank Goodness. Thomas H. Hartman gained ownership of McConnell's but he then gave ownership to the Western Pennsylvania Conservatory in 1942, who transferred the land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1957, when the Mills was officially declared as McConnell's Mill State Park. Though McConnell's is only 2,546 acres, nothing compared to Moraine's 16, 725 acres, one friend's comment and warning for my safety was the ease of getting turned around backwards and upside down and sideways on the trails without even knowing it.

 And he was right. It turns out that there are various trails throughout the park as well as two rock climbing areas. Upon learning this I became more excited knowing that I could explore multiple trails and change things up a bit. I fell in absolute love with the hiking trails at McConnell's Mills mainly because while wandering those trails there were times where I truly felt like I was on some old school haven't been walked on in years trails that were gorgeous. Now I learned as I traveled that there were some parts that were flat out narrow dirt trails through brush in the woods, some that were relatively wide, some where you walked peacefully on asphalt, and even some parts where you were on hardcore, at least to me the armature hiker, treks across thick multilevel-ed tree roots, over huge boulders where you had to actually focus on where you put your foot, and up decent inclines complete with roots and boulders. Now for me, the inclines were the most difficult part of

 my adventure, primarily because I am from South Jersey which is incredibly flat so I am simply not accustomed to walking up hill in general, let alone on a hiking trail. But I am more than up to the challenge because I do love to climb. 

Upon entering the park, I was unaware that there were multiple entrances, and I also had no idea what to look for on my way in to even find the trails. So as I traveled down the road I was looking for any signs that would guide me anywhere of significance, or anywhere in general. I just wanted to see a sign! And finally I saw something!!!! A trail!!!! The only downside was that it was coming out onto the road. No parking area, not stopping area, no nothing, just forest and BAM! A path! SO i had to pass that one up, it was an extremely disappointing moment for me. SO I continued down the road remembering where I came from and where I saw the trail opening as well as praying to any god who would listen that I can easily come to that opening again but on foot next time. 

Finally I found a sign! It read parking and I was ecstatic. I pulled in seeing only a few cars and a restroom, so continued into the lot deciding on parking as far from the lot entrance as possible, and to my surprise there it was, a trail entrance. Now my nerves are going and my mind is exploding. What are these trails going to be like? I just want to climb, and climb I did.  So I started to head down the path that started as real wooden steps down to a road, then across the road the stairs continued, however these ones were created by boulders coming out of the earth, very awesome in my opinion. Now there was a railing for assistance, until about midway down where the trail kinda says, "Yo, you're in the woods now, good luck, don't get lost, don't get hurt, and don't get eaten, if any of the above happens to you, well then it sounds like a personal problem so good luck." And here I was, some chick from Jersey, trekking down into the forest of wonders on this beautiful day. 

Down and down I went, and no that's not down a rabbit hole, and I didn't stop until the trail hit a T, which even then I only paused for a moment. I had to choose left or right, but I went straight. I know my friends warned about the craziness and easiness of becoming lost, and signs prior to the second set of steps strongly warned against straying from the trail, as did the internet, however I heard the water and wanted to see it so went straight. I was not disappointed one bit, it was gorgeous. 

 I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. Here I was, standing on a ginormous boulder, in the middle of a state park, kinda illegally according to the signs, and it was simply the most amazing sight ever, or so I thought. The water was rushing down the river claiming anything that entered its territory and taking it down with it, which totally made sense why the signs said 'NO SWIMMING!' But I was unconcerned because I was nice and safe on my giant boulder, and yes I said my, because I officially claimed that boulder as my own, so no touchy. I made my way back to the trail and then had to make the decision of left or right. I turned left following the river down. In the end I was incredibly hopeful that the rushing water was rushing down towards the mills versus rushing away from exploding out of the mill further up stream. Either way I had no idea if I had gone the correct way, but I also didn't care because I knew that if I didn't see it this time, then I'd find it next time, or the time after that, eventually I would find it!

I continued on down the trails along side of the river gaping at every sight I saw. I truly was right in the middle of nature. I couldn't hear any cars or planes, no people or dogs, nothing that didn't belong there. The birds were singing away in their paradise and the slight breeze was perfect for the heat. I noticed it get a bit dark and looked at my watch seeing that it was only 2:30, that darn sun went behind the clouds hiding the beauty of the forest in the darkness and out of sight. Grrrrrrr, but it added to the mystery effect of wandering through forests so I secretly enjoyed it. Walking on down I took in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest falling more and more in love with my surroundings. Quite a few times I strayed from the trails again wanting to explore the rock formations which also gave me the exciting chance to do some minor climbing and exploration away from the trails. One time I passed other people on the trails, and the two women gawked at me when they saw me climbing atop a huge boulder that jetted out into the river turning up the water into small white rapids with the help from the boulders under the water.

The sights were breathtaking and yet I claimed another boulder. As you can see from the picture, it truly is simply the most perfect spot to hangout to get some sun or relax or get some reading or writing done. Either way I will be making great use of that boulder, especially since it is a slight distance from the trails so even if there are other peeps on the trails enjoying the scenery and whether, they will most likely pass me without even realizing I am there, unless they are adventurous like me. If that happens and a challenge occurs, I will

defend my boulder, well at least my rights for being there first on that day. I continued down the trails in pure amazement at everything I found around each tree and bush.                                                                                                                                                                                                          As I mentioned earlier, some paths were easy to cover and explore, while others added slight challenges of their owns, whether it was rough terrain, rocks or boulders of all shapes and sizes, trees and their untrustworthy roots, outreaching branches, occasionally with thorns, and those dang hills. If only there were more mountains in South Jersey, then I would be in slightly better shape than I am now. But those challenges were nothing for my determination. I was going to find that Mill.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           As I continued on down the paths I noticed three things occurring, one is that the slight breeze drastically picked up, two is that the soft rippling and bubbling of the river became a pounding crash, and three, the river got faster. It was fast before but now it was truly roaring on down it's own trail through the park. Again I was being extremely hopeful to find the mills down in front of me versus way up behind me past where I turned down. With my fingers crossed I continued, occasionally watching my step, especially at points where the trees attempted to grasp my ankles and being me down into the dirt. 

They are quite the schemers of nature, and very sneaky at that. Though they could easily slow someone up if they stumbled over the fingers, however, there is such beauty in just seeing the webbing of the roots stretching out among the rocks and through the earth. Those fingers just spiderweb everywhere and anywhere truly creating a work of art in the very earth we walk on, and the best part is that no two tree's roots are the same. Just as we each have our own individual characteristic and unique fingerprints, each and every tree has their own unique and beautiful roots that are equal to our fingerprints. 

I continued on again taking in everything that was surrounding me. The sights and sounds were amazing, though at this point, I hadn't seen anything yet. The river became louder so I strayed from the paths a bit more to be sure I didn't miss anything on my adventure, though at this point one of my favorite sights that truly made me laugh out loud was a single item that told hikers they were safe if they happened to fall in the river. YES, this beauty was peaking out of the trees at one point along the water's edge, 

and clearly it has not be used in quite a long time. If you cannot see due to the lighting and fading the 'life-saver' says McConnell's Mill State Park. Now when I first saw this 'life-sver' I honestly started to crack up. I understand that it was placed there in the case of an emergency, and later down the trail I did come upon a few more, however I personally would take my chances with a friend stretching out a branch to me or me latching onto a log jetting out into the river than this 'life-saver.' I mean honestly, the rope is probably older than me and that being said, from it living outside 24/7, I know it is rotted through and would probably snap from the weight of a small child in the river let alone a full grown adult. So the adorable 'life-saver,' may you never be needed, wanted, or used,                                                                                                                                               After I finally re-composed myself from my hysterical laughter, I continued once again down the winding turning paths that occasionally had other paths, or so they appears, attach to my path which is where I understood how some people could find themselves lost here. I had no worries though. For me I'm the woman who can get lost on clearly marked roads using a friend's directions as well as a garmin, but you throw me in the woods and let me wander for a few hours and I will come back out where I entered.

As I ventured back to the stream I heard the water rushing again and looked down river since I knew what was in sight upriver since I had already passed it. And then I saw it, the glimmer that I chose the right direction when i was upstream. 

The Mill Was In Slight!!!

Now I was ecstatic and the pep in my step jumped ten degrees in pace. I had seen the mill on post cards at a local restaurant but here was my chance to see it in person. Now here I was, next to a 'life-saver' that I'd never trust, and gawking at a beautiful old fashioned, first in the country, grist mill. I practically ran the rest of the way down the river. When I finally got down to the mill, I learned that saying it was lovely, gorgeous, beautiful, amazing, or fantastic were simply understatements. The Mill is Positively Breathtaking. And here I was staring at it in amazement at its beauty just relaxing in the sun on the river surrounded by the wildlife. I simply could not believe my eyes at its beauty. The post cards I had seen in the past gave it no justice, not any at all. This is truly one of the places that to me is a must see for anyone who ever visits western pa. And for everyone living out this way, if you have not seen the mill yet then Shame On You! You really are missing out on an amazing sight and experience as a whole. Whether you simply drive down to the mill across the gorgeous covered bridge, or do the hike enjoying everything McConnell's Mill State Park has to offer you, you need to get down there. I even hit one point where I told myself that I would love to have a wedding reception there. The sights and sounds are breathtaking, and for a small wedding, the space is perfect.

Clearly I took various pictures of the mills, I simply could not get enough of the mills, and if you are reading this I'm going to tell you right now that you need to see the mills for yourself! These pictures do not give its beauty any justice at all! I personally cannot wait to go back to the mills! And it really crushed me to have to leave in the first place, but due to weather....I HAD TO LEAVE! Yes earlier I noticed it get slightly darker and darker but I logically told myself, duh, it's cloudy. Hmmmmmmmm....probably should have checked the weather before going on my adventure. Actually should have most definitely checked the weather first because five minutes later I was caught in a torrential down pour, and as the cherry on top! I was in a WHITE TANK TOP! Yeah......OOOOOOPS! Big mistake on my end, and my two hour peaceful and gentle paced hike down to the mills became a forty minute or so rushed hike back up the mountainous terrain and towards my truck where I did get back to completely soaked through, and see through. It was fantastic! But luckily for me I only passed one couple so not too much embarrassment there. However, rain or shine I will be back at the mills soon! Though Preferably Shine!