Cycling the NW Lancaster River Trail

Located along the Susquehanna River 

on the western edge of Lancaster County 

is a paved multi-use trail. 

View from Koser Park

The trail extends 14 miles 

between the river to the west

and the river towns of 

Falmouth, Bainbridge, Marietta and Columbia

to the east. 

White Cliffs of Conoy

These cute towns are accessible from the trail. 

Look for the signposts that indicate 

the businesses in town. 

Columbia is the largest of the towns and appeared 

to be the busiest ,

so finding parking may be easier at another access point.  

We accessed the trail at Falmouth and rode south to Columbia. 

East Donegal Riverfront Park

Columbia offers a River Park 

as a half-way point destination. 

There are restrooms, tables and seating. 

We packed a lunch and ate at the park. 

Directly across the street is a 

take out stop if you'd rather not pack food. 

As you can see the trail is very scenic.

Chickies Rock Park

Columbia Wrightsville Bridge

Our lunch seats in Columbia.

After cycling we drove to Chickies Rock Overlook 

where we saw the train in the photo below. 

From Chickies Rock Overlook

From there we went to Weaver's Orchard 

and saw the typical Lancaster scenes on the way. 

Lancaster, PA

I highly recommend this ride! 

A good trail, great views, 

interesting towns to ride around...

and can easily do over 30 miles.

Click here to view the full photo gallery. 

Click here for a downloadable trail map.

 

Golden Fields of Sunflowers

A magical field 

owned by a car wash 

showcases an annual attraction 

of sunflowers. 

Sunflower lovers flock 

from near and far 

to enjoy their golden splendor.  

The field is open to the public

and free of charge.

(...but it would be nice to 

wash your car there 

to thank them!) 

Please Wash Me

1 Yeingst Dr, Elverson, PA 19520

A relatively new player 

in the sunflower field experience 

is located at 

Kohler Farms.  

This sunflower field 

is a memorial to 

Chuck Kohler.  

I hope to see this field continue 

and grow in coming years 

because every community 

needs a sunflower field. 

Kohler Farms

1262 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA 19002

Do you have a local sunflower field?

Top Attractions of the City of Lancaster

Prince Street Parking

Lancaster County...

rolling hills dotted with Amish farms 

is what comes to most people's minds. 

But Lancaster has a city too, 

also named Lancaster. 

A Farm in Lancaster County

I have been to the county plenty of times, 

but never visited the city until now. 

As far as cities go...

well it isn't a very big city in size, 

but its colonial history makes up for that. 

Lancaster, named after the House of Lancaster, 

was part of the Penn's Woods Charter of 1681. 

N. Mulberry Street, Lancaster, PA

In 1777, during the American Revolution,

Lancaster served as the US Capital for one day. 

It also served as Pennsylvania's capital from 1799-1812 

until the state capital was moved to Harrisburg.

The top attraction in the city is the 

Central Market

which boasts being 

the oldest continuously running market in the country. 

It is only open 3 days a week. 

Central Market

The market offers such things as 

 produce, meats, cheeses, breads, candies, and crafts. 

We bought cheeses and smoked pork chops. 

If you haven't tried smoked pork chops, 

they are delicious. 

(And I don't like pork chops.)

Fulton Theater

The second attraction is the Fulton Theater.

Similarly, the theatre is the oldest running theatre in the states. 

Wheatland, the home of President James Buchanan,

is also located nearby

and you can experience a guided tour. 

Admission is charged. 

Shops on Queen St. 

There is also quite a resurgence of small shops and eateries 

in the four blocks surrounding the visitor center 

located at King and Queen Streets. 

There you can pick up maps and information.

This area also marks the historic district. 

The Ecclesial Center of Lancaster

You could spend a weekend here 

and find plenty to do. 

I enjoyed the historic architecture. 

Click here for more images from this set. 

Click for more attractions.