Day 3, Monday, July 15
The scenery improves as we move through western Pennsylvania: mountain roads with a canopy of tree branches, dairy farms, cattle pens, rolling creeks and steep valleys. The weather is cool and dry again, low 80's and clear skies.
We stopped in a little town called Six Points and found an old one-room schoolhouse built in 1875:
In front of the schoolhouse stood two old steam powered tractors:
Later that afternoon we pulled into Punxsutawney, home of Punxsutawney Phil, the famous weather predicting rodent. this is the band shell where the Groundhog Day celebration takes place:
Here's Phil:
A plaque tells us that Punxsutawney is an original Native American word. It doesn't tell us what it means. Thanks.
And another sign, a copy attached to each side of the band shell. Look at the last line - the grammar police will be out.
And everywhere you go you'll see groundhog statues. On every corner. In front of the library reading a book. A fireman groundhog in front of the fire station. You get the picture.
Later we arrived at Peoples Natural Gas Stadium in Altoona. (Somebody has to have naming rights, right?) The class AA Altoona Curve faced off with the Trenton Thunder, a New York Yankees affiliate. Altoona belongs to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Curve fell behind 2-0 in the second, but rallied to tie the game in the 4th. They added another in the fifth to take a one run lead, but gave back two in the 7th. That was all the scoring, Altoona lost 4-3.
The "Curve" is named after Horseshoe Curve, the great railroad engineering feat allowing the Norfolk Southern Railway's Pittsburgh Line to navigate the steep grade into the Allegheny mountains.
Here are some scenes from the ballpark:
By the way, we witnessed our first ever triple-play during this game. Altoona had men on first and second, nobody out. The batter tried to sacrifice bunt them along, but he popped it straight up. Both runners were caught off base without tagging up.
And the obligatory photo with mascot, Loco.
There is another mascot, Al Tuna. I'm not kidding. But he big-timed me. He only does videoboard stuff and on the field activities. A real celebrity. Loco does all the heavy lifting, working the crowds, etc.
Random observation from Randy: You'd think there would be a way to tip your mascot. They should wear G-strings, and then you could stuff them with dollar bills.
Favorite town names: Turkey City, PA
Turnip Hole, PA
Random observation from Randy: I think I'll change my password to Turnip Hole. No one would ever guess that.
Favorite signs: Butts' House
Road construction next 6.46 miles
Things and Stuff
Things we cannot hang around for: Volunteer Firemen's Festival in Allensville, PA
I am adding road construction where you have to come to a complete stop because it is one lane traffic to the counting list. Because they are aggravating.
Complete stops: 2
Confederate flags: 2
Shirtless drivers: 0 Still! Must be the weather.
Carnivals: 0
Next: Scranton/Wilkes Barre
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