As a small town girl born and raised in Bellwood, Blair County, I’ve been through Huntingdon County many times but haven’t visited since a freshman field trip to Lincoln Caverns .
Since I was hired as an editor for The Daily News, diving head first into the community and getting around the area has been my mission.
I have an understanding and appreciation of local communities and the impact small businesses have on the community. Huntingdon County is rich in history and full of attractions to educate and share. Since I don’t know the area as well, I thought planning road trips was the best way to dive.
For four weeks, I plan to take day trips all over the county and share my experiences. I will visit affordable and free destinations that won’t drain the tank while spending the day with my friends and family. {p dir=”ltr”}Susan Penning, Marketing Manager of the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, helped me plan these trips and organize economical and fun tours that showcase the county. She said she’s considering vacationing a bit off the beaten track, where expenses are likely to be much lower.
“We locals are our region’s best ambassadors,” Penning said. “Creating a must-see list or a must-visit can really help guide visitors who may not be familiar with our area. We don’t want them to miss out on the amazing experiences we offer.
The current cost of air travel is driving travelers’ attention back to short car trips, Penning said, which could be more accessible and cost-effective. The Lake Raystown area is only moments away for travelers from many major cities, including Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and even New York.
“The attractions we have in the Lake Raystown area tell an important and interesting story of an area rich in geological resources and fundamentally important to American history,” Penning said.
The first week started with a stop at Standing Stone Coffee Co. for lunch. When people enter they are greeted by the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and baked goods. This unique cafe on the corner of Mifflin and 13th Street in Huntingdon has been around for 14 years. Owner Greg Anderson started the business with a plan to design a community gathering space to feel comfortable and welcome, while maintaining healthy “good food” as a priority.
“We wanted a creative, quality menu to serve our guests,” Anderson said. “We work to source local produce whenever possible while using our own recipes to deliver authenticity and the best of the best.”{p dir=”ltr”}All of their materials are compostable and their ingredients are sourced from local farms . They proudly roast their own coffee and use a specialty coffee blend of the top 1% of all coffee produced in the world. They focus on the terroir of coffee growing, the natural environment in which a particular wine, or in this case coffee, is produced. Factors include soil, crop and environment.
“Getting to know coffee and bringing out the nuances is important to getting the quality flavors we want,” Anderson said.
Anderson started retailing coffee online and now has 70 wholesale customers nationwide, roasting 45,000 pounds of coffee a year. Since the pandemic, online sales have taken off, he said. They offer tea blends, coffee blends and more.
Popular Standing Stone products include seasonal drinks and the Montana Mountaineer Sandwich, which accounts for one-third of all sandwich sales at the restaurant.
I enjoyed a vanilla latte which was the perfect balance of coffee and flavor. I loved the foam patterns of the hot latte. The holly berry wrap was the perfect mix of sweet and healthy tones with fresh blue cheese, cranberry lettuce and nuts. These menu items made a perfectly balanced lunch to prepare for a hike at Trough Creek State Park.
After enjoying a healthy lunch, I ventured out to Trough Creek. If you haven’t had the pleasure of traveling through Huntingdon, this approximately 40 minute drive from Standing Stone to Trough Creek is scenic and beautiful on a 90 degree sunny summer day.
Upon arriving at the park, I started looking for signs directing me to the trails. I wanted to visit the attractions such as Rainbow Falls, Suspension Bridge, Balanced Rock and the Lookout. Trough Creek offers more features and educational programs for all ages.
Entering Trough Creek is a path full of bridges and windy roads. Along the way, signs indicate the paths, pavilions and many benches to rest. First I came across Copperas Rocks and stopped to take pictures of how the water reflected off the rocks above.
As I continued, I enjoyed the view of how the trees create a canopy over the narrow road. Shortly after, I saw a sign that said Suspension Bridge, Rainbow Falls, Balanced Rock, and the lookout. Parking is available at each departure. In preparation for a hike in 90 degree heat, I grabbed my bag full of water, granola bars, and sunscreen, before heading out onto the Balanced Rock Trail. The first feature you come across is Suspension Bridge, pretty quickly. This bridge is not for the weak. It is a bridge over a stream, loosely constructed so that you can experience the swaying sensation while walking over the water. As a child, I remember crossing these bridges to live out my “Shrek” dreams of sprinting in hopes of not falling into the hot lava below. As an adult, I wasn’t as excited but found joy in laughing at myself stepping on it, hanging on to my life.
You will walk on the path until you come across a bench, this bench is different from the others, because it is “in memory of love”. Beyond this bank will be the famous Rainbow Falls. The falls are majestically placed, creating a jet of water flowing into a pool of water below. They are fuller in the spring, when the snow and ice melt. This area holds a beautiful waterfall and creek setting.
Continue across the falls bridge and up the trail, which is a stone staircase in case you are unaware like me, will take you to Balanced Rock. Balanced Rock is a famous feature of exactly what it sounds like: balanced rock. This phenomenon seems to fall from one minute to another but yet it remains. There is an area to overlook the creek below. After stopping here you will descend back down this path and continue on the Abott Run trail. This trail is a steep but rewarding path to the lookout, veering to the left of the trail. Once you get to the point where you want to give up, you’re probably 100 feet from the lookout. You will come out on a path that hardly looks like it, on the left. But when you notice the mound overlooking the mountain, you’ll know you’ve made it. This was my favorite part of the hike. Standing on the mound, overlooking the mountains and trails below, I felt at peace and like I had succeeded. I enjoyed the accomplishment of completing a hike on my own. It was a different factor that made it all the more interesting because I didn’t have anyone to push or challenge me. I made it myself.
This trip was fun, informative and rewarding. You can experience the rich natural beauty that Huntingdon County has to offer, while stopping at a unique and friendly cafe for the healthiest lunch you can whip up. Enjoying freshly roasted coffee was definitely something I didn’t know I had to try. I recommend you try it for yourself if you need a day trip to distract you from the world and your responsibilities.
Raystown.org is the area’s best resource for where to find places to stay, things to do, events, restaurants, shopping, and local resources, as well as the printed Huntingdon County Visitor’s Guide “Raystown times”. Their @RaystownLake Facebook page and @RaystownLakeRegion Instagram feed are also great places to start planning and exploring. Stay tuned for next week’s travel plan.
