Street Level Weather Bureau
  • Home
    • $17 Billion & Some Sense
    • Aluminum Sun
    • Anti-Maim
    • AWOL Road
    • Arabian Knight
    • Art Train
    • Art Was Here
    • Banned Aid
    • Barrels of Fun
    • Battle for Swatara
    • The Best Conga Player on Pennsy Road >
      • Learn Beguine with Joe "Papo" Daddiego
      • Do You Yambú?
      • Learn Ginga with Joe "Papo" Daddiego
      • Learn Merengue with Joe "Papo" Daddiego
      • Learn Rumba Tres Golpes with Joe "Papo" Daddiego
    • Building a World of Love >
      • Blowing the Whistle (Again)
    • Bullying & the Workplace
    • Capoeira in Lancaster Square
    • The Circle Unbroken
    • Civilian Complaint Form Lancaster City Bureau of Police
    • Crafting With the Stars
    • The Cruess Legacy: Francis Howse Cruess >
      • Return of the Elegantarian
      • Blending Shadow and Light
    • The Cruess Legacy: Helen Rutter Cruess >
      • Unboxing Helen
    • Dance of the Radiant Baby
    • Dry Your Tears, Africa
    • Eek! Oh, Tourism?
    • Free Men May
    • A Freeway Runs Through It
    • Girl's Gun Wild
    • Good-Bye Greenway, Hello Thruway
    • H2S -- the "Other" Greenhouse Gas
    • The Happy Felon
    • Here There Are Heroes
    • Hidden Treasures
    • The "I"s of the Hurricane
    • Know Power
    • The Leap in Leipzig
    • Liberty Street Pedestrian Bridge
    • The Longest Walk
    • The Man Who Told the Truth
    • Marriage = One Human + One Human + One Love
    • Medical Cannabis Grows Up
    • Mi Bici (My Bike)
    • The Monster in the Basement
    • Mural Adds Splash to American Bar & Grill
    • Music for Everyone Community Chorus-Celebrate Lancaster 2012
    • Ninja Ho
    • One of Ours
    • An Open Gate
    • Put Lancaster County Into the Convention Center
    • Report from Williamsport: Protect State Forest
    • Report from Williamsport: A Bad Idea
    • Rx for HealthCare.gov
    • Say Hello to the Velomobile
    • Scandal of International Standards
    • Shale Game
    • The Silent Religion
    • Sinking the Competition?
    • Spiral Q & the White Dog
    • Time Stood Still
    • Weaving Prison
    • What Love in Public Looks Like
    • When Push Comes to Shove
  • Street Level Weather Bureau

The Circle Unbroken

Swatara River from Appalachian Trail Bridge
Swatara River from the Appalachian Trail bridge, looking north.
     I met Angel Croll one cold, late winter day in 2010 in her office at Memorial Lake State Park. Originally from Texas, she was now superintendent of both Memorial Lake and Swatara State Parks.

     I was looking for volunteer work in the outdoors. Angel welcomed me as a walk-in and we talked for nearly three hours (and I am not a talker). I left with pages of notes, Swatara's historic master plan, and great enthusiasm.

     Angel was instrumental in starting Friends of Swatara State Park, coordinating among different groups: hunters, horseback-riders, Swatara Water Trail volunteers, canoe and kayak enthusiasts, mountain bikers, hikers, and history buffs.

     Park projects had long been planned but never developed. Then last fall Tropical Storm Lee destroyed sections of the rail trail. But since then work has progressed.


Picture
A new guard rail where none existed before! And triple-wide and smooth. This is getting way civilized!

New rail-trail bridge Swatara State Park
This new bridge restores the rail crossing over Mill Creek.  Now people can connect with Swopes Valley Road and complete a circuit without having to use State Route 443.

Picture
This is a new parking area for the planned boat launch near the  famous fossil pit.

Picture
Imprint of an ancient sea shell. Almost every rock you pick up here contains fossils.

Picture
View of the Appalachian Trail bridge looking south.
     Last spring Angel wrote a letter to the Friends group telling everybody she and her family had decided to return to Texas:

     "It has been my pleasure to witness the creation of Friends of Swatara State Park," she wrote. "I believe parks are for people to enjoy -- relax or be active, to be social or solitary, to learn and observe nature.  I am proud of the work you've accomplished in a relatively short period of time. Continue to share your knowledge and passion so others will appreciate Swatara State Park as much as you do."

     One note of caution: This ain't your suburban park. It's always been hunting country. Be mindful of that, and wear blaze orange, both on you and your pets.


Picture
My trusty bike stands guard against bears at the fossil pit.