not as eerie as one might think...
This weekend I was given the honor of officiating a dear friend's wedding up in Erie. So up, up, up I went on the longest drive I have ever personally driven. The wedding itself was held in front of the Perry Monument in Presque Isle State Park. According to the bride, it's the farthest to "north as you can get without going to Canada." The weather was absolutely gorgeous, but if you plan on visiting the monument itself, you should probably bring a jacket as this particular part of the park is a peninsula surrounded by Lake Erie and is colder and far windier than anywhere else in the city.
The reception was held at the nearby Colony Banquet Hall. The DJ wasn't over zealous, the food was the best banquet food I have ever consumed in my life, and there were cupcakes! Oh were there cupcakes! All in all, it was pretty wedding-y.
Since the Pittsburgh Marathon was on Sunday, the best decision was to stay in Erie after the wedding then slowly make the return trip back to the 'burgh Sunday afternoon. Hotel reservations were booked at the Glass House Inn. The Inn is a family-owned establishment that spans three generations. It is a clean, non-smoking, establishment and the rooms are incredibly affordable. In the morning they offer a light continental breakfast in the dining room allowing guests the opportunity to get to know one another, or at least eves-drop on a stranger's conversation. For example, did you know bridge tournaments are a thing? Well, now you do.
After breakfast a return trip was made to Presque Isle State Park to explore. Presque Isle, being an Isle, is home to a lighthouse. Built in 1872 it was known as the "loneliest place on earth", upon the night of the inaugural lighting, the keeper wrote, "This is a new station and a light will be exhibited for the first time tonight - there was one visitor." In order to attend school, children would walk 1.25 miles to the other side of the peninsula and catch a ferry across to the mainland. Known as the Sidewalk Trail this route can still be walked by visitors today.
The weather at the park was absolutely gorgeous, perfectly sunny with just enough of a breeze to keep the heat at bay. Some visitors took the opportunity to fly a kite, up to the highest heights. Well, airplanes probably fly higher...
After the park was lunch at the Colony Pub and Grille, which is obviously owned by the same people who own the Colony Banquet Hall, though I didn't figure that out until the owner and waitress inquired if I had been at a wedding the previous evening. Erie is apparently the town version of Cheers, everyone knows everyone else and even if they don't know you they will still be incredibly friendly. Even the cashiers at Giant Eagle treat you like a long lost friend, it's nothing like the level of service you get in Pittsburgh.
The food portions at Colony are HUGE and they don't skimp on the house salad, using leafy greens mixed in with your standard iceberg lettuce. Their point of pride is the charcoal oven in which they cook everything from meat to grilled vegetables. If you want to experience the Colony Pub & Grille without the two hour drive, never fear, they are opening a sports bar on Fifth Avenue, right across from the Consol Energy Center. Certainly the vibe will be different than that of Colony, but I'm sure it will have the same amazing service.
On the way home what was meant to be a quick stop off in Edinboro to visit the Hurry Hill Maple House, happily, turned into a much longer visit. Unlike most attractions which take Sunday as a day of rest, the Hurry Hill Maple Farm is only open Sundays 2 pm to 5 pm from March to the end of May and then again September through November.
The owner, Jan, is a wonderful host. A retired educator she loves sharing her knowledge with others and it really shows. The museum is filled with exhibits that you are encouraged to touch and explore as you munch on maple confections. "Nothing is sacred here!" You can even hold a Newbury Medal in your hand!
Jan made us promise to tell at least five people about a menace threatening our maple trees, so you, dear reader, are my five people. Be on the lookout for the Asian Longhorned Beetle, a menace who bores into trees to lay its young. Though it has yet to be seen in Pennsylvania, it has been found in New York, Chicago, and Massachusetts. If you find one, collect it in a zip lock baggie, put it in your freezer, and call (866)702-9938 to report the sighting.
All commercial syrups only contain about 3% of the real stuff so if you are truly interested in purchasing real maple syrup, you have to be picky about reading the labels and willing to fork over more money than you would for Mrs. Butterworth's. You can usually pick up a jar for about $10 at your local farmers market. I usually get mine from the East Liberty Farmer's Market. If you're inclined to drive for your syrup, you can pick some up at the maple house along with maple cream (tastes just like icing), maple BBQ sauce, and maple cotton candy!
The reception was held at the nearby Colony Banquet Hall. The DJ wasn't over zealous, the food was the best banquet food I have ever consumed in my life, and there were cupcakes! Oh were there cupcakes! All in all, it was pretty wedding-y.
Since the Pittsburgh Marathon was on Sunday, the best decision was to stay in Erie after the wedding then slowly make the return trip back to the 'burgh Sunday afternoon. Hotel reservations were booked at the Glass House Inn. The Inn is a family-owned establishment that spans three generations. It is a clean, non-smoking, establishment and the rooms are incredibly affordable. In the morning they offer a light continental breakfast in the dining room allowing guests the opportunity to get to know one another, or at least eves-drop on a stranger's conversation. For example, did you know bridge tournaments are a thing? Well, now you do.
After breakfast a return trip was made to Presque Isle State Park to explore. Presque Isle, being an Isle, is home to a lighthouse. Built in 1872 it was known as the "loneliest place on earth", upon the night of the inaugural lighting, the keeper wrote, "This is a new station and a light will be exhibited for the first time tonight - there was one visitor." In order to attend school, children would walk 1.25 miles to the other side of the peninsula and catch a ferry across to the mainland. Known as the Sidewalk Trail this route can still be walked by visitors today.The weather at the park was absolutely gorgeous, perfectly sunny with just enough of a breeze to keep the heat at bay. Some visitors took the opportunity to fly a kite, up to the highest heights. Well, airplanes probably fly higher...
After the park was lunch at the Colony Pub and Grille, which is obviously owned by the same people who own the Colony Banquet Hall, though I didn't figure that out until the owner and waitress inquired if I had been at a wedding the previous evening. Erie is apparently the town version of Cheers, everyone knows everyone else and even if they don't know you they will still be incredibly friendly. Even the cashiers at Giant Eagle treat you like a long lost friend, it's nothing like the level of service you get in Pittsburgh.
The food portions at Colony are HUGE and they don't skimp on the house salad, using leafy greens mixed in with your standard iceberg lettuce. Their point of pride is the charcoal oven in which they cook everything from meat to grilled vegetables. If you want to experience the Colony Pub & Grille without the two hour drive, never fear, they are opening a sports bar on Fifth Avenue, right across from the Consol Energy Center. Certainly the vibe will be different than that of Colony, but I'm sure it will have the same amazing service.
The owner, Jan, is a wonderful host. A retired educator she loves sharing her knowledge with others and it really shows. The museum is filled with exhibits that you are encouraged to touch and explore as you munch on maple confections. "Nothing is sacred here!" You can even hold a Newbury Medal in your hand!
Jan made us promise to tell at least five people about a menace threatening our maple trees, so you, dear reader, are my five people. Be on the lookout for the Asian Longhorned Beetle, a menace who bores into trees to lay its young. Though it has yet to be seen in Pennsylvania, it has been found in New York, Chicago, and Massachusetts. If you find one, collect it in a zip lock baggie, put it in your freezer, and call (866)702-9938 to report the sighting.
Maple production only takes place in Southeast Canada and Northeast United States. More specifically, 80% of maple production takes place just in Quebec! For just one gallon of maple syrup you need at least 40 gallons of maple sap.
