The natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands is stunning any time of year. With so many of us spending more and more time outside, exploring new nooks and crannies of our great outdoors, it got me thinking about the region's array of fascinating flowers and wildlife. I'm certainly no botanist, naturalist, or biologist, so I reached out to…

Take bubbling brooks, greenery in abundance, add birdsong, the odd woodpecker pecking away in the distance, the serenity of being outdoors, in the woods, and the result? My mood just soars! Hiking is most definitely food for the soul, and boy, do we have a ton of hiking trails in the Laurel Highlands to explore and fuel YOUR soul. With two state…

WHAT YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW We know, Fred Rogers is our native son, and our love for him knows no bounds. But if you have spent any time looking into Latrobe, Pennsylvania (or is it Luh-trobe?), you’ll quickly discover there’s more to be found than only America’s friendliest neighbor. View this post on Instagram…

Spanning 3,000 square miles across some of the most diverse landscapes in Pennsylvania, the Laurel Highlands is home to scenic views, lush forests, rushing rivers, and roaring waterfalls. Let’s take a closer look at some of the stunning natural wonders in the Laurel Highlands. Perhaps you will recognize a few gems and discover some new…

What comes to mind when you think of mosaics? Roman villas? Mosaic kits from Michael’s craft store? Or those mosaic tiles for the kitchen? Well, prepare yourself for the full spectrum of color in the form of Sager Mosaics. Meet Rachel Sager, the founder, mosaicist, artist, and blogger extraordinaire of Sager Mosaics. She’s about as…

When you think of ski patrol, most people picture ski patrollers on the steep sweeping slopes of the local ski resorts, where most ski patrollers are located. There is another segment of ski patrol that patrols the remote, quiet, and gentler slopes and trails in the Laurel Highlands. This is the land of cross-country skiers where peace and solitude…

In my last blog, I shared with you some helpful info for beginner snowshoeing in the Laurel Highlands as a cure for cabin fever. My quest for more info on outdoor adventures led to cross-country skiing. It’s something I personally have never done but might have to try it out. In my quest for knowledge and insider tips, I reached out to the…

I do not know about you, but my family is starting to get a bit of cabin fever. Humans were not meant to hibernate, so I have been looking at new things we can do as a family this winter. Something that has piqued my interest is snowshoeing. Seems like something we could do together or even just my husband and me. Naturally, I had a bunch of…

Art and music. The perfect escapes in what can be very grey winter months, especially in our time of isolating at home. This month’s Heritage Happenings episode is full of color, hope, and all-around joy. I was so thrilled to talk with the Chief Curator at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, as well as her work associate from the…

I don’t know about you but, I LOVE an open fire, especially one burning in the hearth of a historic building. Nothing quite beats nostalgia, especially at times like these when we’re living life through a pandemic and anything cozy and comforting reassures and reinforces the simple pleasures in life. If you’re like me and seek…