Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

Mother Nature is once again holding me prisoner in my room of reminiscences. The leaves I was going to mulch are stuck fast to the ground. I've given up on the stiff wind that might send them into the neighbor's lawn.

My mother used to say, "Don't be so impatient, son, for tomorrow is another day." There's a lot of wisdom in that.

As I try to gaze out the window, my view is obstructed by many items resting on the wide window ledge, each with a special memory attached to it.

The lamp is made with the antlers of the first buck I ever took, back in 1947 at Parker Run.

A large rock with the simple word, "Believe," etched on it sort of speaks for itself.

The same could be said for that distasteful pile of unpaid bills.

Three picture post cards with World War II fighter planes on them remind me of my years in the U.S. Air Force.

Nearby, my desk is cluttered and the walls around me are filled with more things than I care to describe.

I call this room the "Eighth Wonder of the World," because each of the items tells me a tale of awe and adventure. Sure, I could go see a shrink to see what my malady is, but being unstable helps a man survive in

this crazy world. So, sitting here in the Eighth Wonder makes me think of the other wonders of the world.

Some of the natural wonders that can be seen in this country are the giant sequoia trees in California, Rainbow Natural Bridge of Utah, Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Crater Lake, Wizard Island or Oregon, Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico and, of course, the Grand Canyon.

With the price of gas inching down, perhaps more people can afford to motor to some of the interesting attractions in Pennsylvania.

The City of Pittsburgh could keep you busy for three or four days with all of its fine venues. It's not on the same level as Broadway, but there's enough culture to satisfy the appetites of those with a taste for the fine arts. The night life is outstanding and they are three professional sports teams plus fine restaurants in all parts of the city. A ride on the Mt. Washington Incline, especially at night, provides a fantastic view of the city.

Point State Park holds Fort Duquesne and George Washington, then a 22-year-old lieutenant colonel in the Virginia Militia, built Fort Necessity farther to the south. Both can be visited today.

Any Civil War buff has to see the G e t t y s b u r g Battlefield. It takes about three days to take it all in. The carnage that happened in Gettysburg still sends cold chills up my spine. Americans were killing Americans, but the Union was preserved.

Two hours east of Gettysburg is Valley Forge, where General Washington's Continental Army endured such hardships. What dedicated patriots these hardy souls must have been.

A short drive from there is Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, in an area that can yield more history than you can ever imagine.

You can come back west by way of Rt. 6, the Grand Army of the Republic. The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is an impressive sight and the Lumber Museum in Potter County is steeped in history with authentic exhibits.

On down Rt. 872 toward Austin is a very impressive sight: the ruins of the dam that gave way in 1911.

The Seven Wonders of the World are spectacular, but the wonders of Pennsylvania number a lot more than seven.