Join us on Saturday July 12^th, for a back roads tour to two of western Pennsylvania’s State Parks.  We will visit McConnells Mill State Park on the Slippery Rock Creek.  The old grist mill was first built in 1852, but fire destroyed it and it was rebuilt in 1868.  One of the first rolling mills in the country, it processed corn, oats, wheat and buckwheat for local customers.  The mill closed in 1928 and became a state park in 1957.  There is also a covered bridge built in 1874 at the site.  The park is noted for hiking, picnicking and kayaking.  The Slippery Rock Creek is a very swift and dangerous whitewater creek.  Many people have drowned here and there are “No Swimming” signs posted throughout the park’s boundaries. 

After touring the mill, we will drive a short distance to Moraine State Park and Lake Arthur.  There, we will enjoy a picnic lunch.  Pack a lunch and if you want to bring a salad, desert or whatever to share, that would be great!  The only cost involved will be sharing the picnic pavilion rental fee of $66 (approximately $3-5 per couple, depending on how many sign up).    There are lots of scenic photo opportunities at both parks for you camera buffs.

After visiting both parks, we will drive to Volant, PA.  Volant is a quaint village founded in 1868.  It’s economy centered around its own grist mill, which was built in 1812, on the Neshannock Creek.  With the Great Depression came Volant’s decline.  However, in 1984, a renaissance began, with the old mill as its centerpiece.  Today it is a unique gift shop and antique store surrounded by 30 shops and restaurants on an old fashioned Main Street.  (Yes, there are ice cream shops in case you were wondering).  After touring the mill and some leisurely shopping, we will continue on to Columbiana, OH and supper at “Der Dutch House Restaurant”.

This tour will start at West Branch State Park at the “West Boat Ramp Picnic Area” off Rock Spring Road.  We will meet at 8:30 AM, and after a short drivers meeting, we will depart at 9:00 AM.  If the weather is “tops down”, I think you will find these parks very interesting and enjoyable.    

Please E-mail us at scotmiller@sssnet.com or phone us at (330) 868-4799 by July 1^st to sign up.  We hope you will join us for a look back into Western Pennsylvania’s history and enjoy some good back country roads driving as well.