Journey of Hope: Day 30

Miles to Date: 10,525  // States Visited: 39 // Towns of Hope Visited: 14

Happy, Happy Valley! This is my second visit to Happy Valley in the past four weeks. The difference is the first time was in OR., and tonight I’m in PA; about 2,670 miles away. Funny thing; I’ve driven about 9,450 miles since then. I’d say that’s a rather circuitous route! It’s my understanding that the PA. Happy Valley area got its’ name during the Depression in the 1930s. Due to the presence of Penn State University, this area apparently didn’t suffer as much economically compared to many other areas. Judging by the area’s growth that I saw this evening; both on the university campus and the surrounding State College, PA. area, I’d say the name Happy valley is still appropriate.

Driving on I-80 in central PA is usually a quick-moving jaunt unless there’s an at-home PSU football game, or it’s snowing, or there’s construction! Construction was the issue today, so I jumped off the interstate and headed south on U.S. 15. Remember, it’s the 15^th anniversary of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, so I’m always on the lookout for 15’s!  Anyway, I had the opportunity to get on two-lane roads for about 60 miles which took me through farmlands of beautiful hilly terrain. I’m a native of PA, and have traveled extensively throughout the state. However, I was never on PA 192 before. The combination of the well-maintained green fields running up slopes to the woods, the early evening sunshine, and little traffic, made for a relaxing hour or so. I must say, I’ve never seen a pick-up pulling a trailer loaded with bales of hay, attempting to pass a tractor pulling a wagon loaded with more bales of hay. The way the flakes were blowing off both loads, I had visions of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz being blown around by a tornado.

Not long after the dueling hay masters, I was in front of Penn State’s Beaver Stadium. With seating capacity of over 106,500, it is the 3^rd largest stadium in the world. NOTE: Did you know that the largest stadium is actually in Pyongyang, North Korea? After that, it seems like each year Penn State, the Univ. of Michigan, and Ohio State all look to fill any additional nook and cranny so they can get top honors in the U.S.

Have a great weekend, and Give A Little Whistle!