Hawk Mountain

Hiking is one of my favorite past times, and summer is one of the best times to go in Lancaster, PA. While it can be hot and buggy, it’s always exhilarating to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Luckily for you, Adamstown Inns and Cottages is located around many trails, parks, and recreation areas. If you’re like me and get a thrill from breathtaking views on the top of a mountain after a strenuous climb, than you’ll have plenty options for a day hike during your visit to the Lancaster County area. 

While perusing the Adamstown Inns website, you will come across a nature page that describes trails in order to help you find the one that excites you the most. While I haven’t been to all of the recommended locations, I have been to a few.

Hawk Mountain is definitely one of the more well known sanctuary's that visitors enjoy. It’s almost an hours drive, but a trip well worth making; especially since you’ll pass Cabela’s, which is an adventure within itself! I’ve been to Hawk Mountain a couple times and had a different experience during each trip. The first time I was there, I had actually hiked there via the Appalachian Trail connecting to the Skyline Trail, which takes you up the back side of the mountain to the lookout. That trail is not one that I would recommend for beginners! It was rather difficult with many rocks and cliffs that we had to scale, with backpacks on too! Needless to say, I survived that trip, only acquiring a few cuts and bruises! Now don’t panic and think that this nature spot isn’t for you... If you’re like 99% of the population you would drive to the visitors center and take an easy to moderate trail to the lookout. One section of the trail is a natural staircase, and my favorite part was seeing trees with huge root systems on the side of the mountain! Once at the top, there is a large lookout area where you are free to stay as long as you like! It’s a great day trip, especially when you pack some sandwiches and eat lunch while watching the hawks soar overhead.

Stay tuned next week for two more outdoor adventures. And remember, the air conditioning, jacuzzi tubs, and comfy beds at Adamstown Inns & Cottages will be such a relaxing treat after a long day playing outside!

Mt. Gretna Art Show

So much to do, yet so little summer left to do it all. It seems like everyone wants to get as much in as they can before all the kids go back to school. One of those annual events that you do not want to miss before the summer ends is the outdoor art show in Mt. Gretna on August 15 and 16. Last year Tom and Wanda attended the outdoor art show and enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere in lovely Mt. Gretna as well as the fantastic presentations by the artists. The art show hosts about 285 different artists and welcomes into their community some 20,000 visitors. The Mt. Gretna outdoor art show has captivated art lovers for 33 years. From its genesis of local resident artists simply desiring to display their work to its current form of hundreds of artists showing off their pieces to thousands of art enthusiasts. Mt. Gretna also offers an array of various other activities such as canoing, kayaking, swimming, biking, hiking, the Gretna theatre, and lots of great food and ice cream. So if you are thinking of squeezing one more thing into your busy schedule before school perhaps you would like a relaxing stay at the Adamstown Inns and Cottages and to browse the Mt. Gretna outdoor Art show.