Kelly & I were up early – but I didn’t sleep well. I usually manage the day well on little sleep but right now I’m losing steam. I baked the scones while Kelly finished getting ready. We picked Kathy up at 8am and headed to Johnstown. A day in the mountains! First we drove past the house on Meadow Drive where Kathy and Paul lived when Sarah was born. It’s a beautiful neighborhood. Johnstown – and the drive up – was a beautiful peaceful area.
Our first stop was the Incline. It wasn’t running but the overlook was open. We walked out and took a bunch of pictures and studied the city. A lot happened there – the worst of which was in 1889. We learned a lot!
At the top of the incline.
The park near the incline
The step faces were painted in patriotic pictures
Kathy and Kelly with the city behind them.
Johnstown nestled in the mountains.
It’s a long way down.
The city and the rivers.
City after the flood.
Once we had our fill of the spectacular view, we drove downtown to the Flood Museum. Got there just as they were unlocking the door! We watched the movie first, which really helped make sense of the displays. We started on the third floor, which was a multi purpose room – gym and walking trail and private/public events. Kathy gave us a demonstration on the ‘silent’ organ.
Ornate staircase in the museum
Multi-purpose room with walking track around the top and displays around the room.
Kathy’s premier performance.
Look closely at this door. If you stepped out — down you go!
We went down to the first floor and read through all the displays and information. There was a diorama that had color coded displays of the time line – including the warnings that were issued, the path of the flood waters, the destruction, and the devastation. There were also descriptions of the recovery, the determination, and the donations and contributions to rebuild the city and the lives of the survivors. It was moving and amazing.
Airbill – COW!
Reminder of the flood – May 31, 1889.
There was also a cabin (Oklahoma Cabin) – one of many that were donated to Johnstown for the survivors to live in while the city was being rebuilt. The stories were moving.
The main room of the Oklahoma House
We left there and walked back to the car – and look some pictures of the caboose by the parking lot. It was cool and breezy all day (about 60*) but sunny.
Kelly and I posing.
We parked and walked to the point where the Little Conemaugh and the Stoneycreek River met. Kathy was now playing Titanic!
The Stone Bridge with a train going over.
The bench of HOPE on the point.
Kathy playing ‘Titanic’!
A small spillway.
OK – we left the point and drove over to the other side of the stone bridge – and took some pictures there.
Stone Bridge – train route
Stone railroad bridge with Incline in the background – flag at the top.
We headed up to South Fork to the visitor’s center for the lake and the dam. As it turns out one of the docents was a friend of mine from Hanna’s Town and he gave us a separate, detailed account of the reason for the lake and dam and what happened and why. We watched another movie – which was sort of spooky and very jarring – pretty vivid description of what happened to the people – both those who were swept away (of which 750 out of 2209 were never recovered) and those who survived. It’s something you would never forget.
This house was right on the lake (behind it)
The lake before the flood – notice the house….
Replica of the debris – see the guy handing on the roof to the far right?
The tree that fell through the house.
This was the dam – you can see where the gap is between the two mounds.
By the time we left that museum we were very hungry – and stopped at the 1889 Park and ate our lunch and made plans for Gettysburg next week. I requested a detour going home and we stopped at the Dillweed B&B in Dilltown. We got home about 5pm and took a 20 minute break – then I started putting away the day’s supplies and Kelly headed home. We had a really good day, learned a lot, and are looking forward to our next adventure!
A quick stop at the Dillweed B&B
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW April 28th is:
Biological Clock Day; Global Pay it Forward Day; National Blueberry Pie Day; National BraveHearts Day; National Cubicle Day; National Great Poetry Reading Day; National Superhero Day; Save the Frogs Day; School Bus Driver Appreciation day; Workers’ Memorial Day; World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
It would be nice to pay it forward. God bless…
MOVIE from 2025:
Great movie! I loved it!
After seeing this movie I added ‘Grand Ole Opry’ to my bucket list!
On this day in History: 1810 Ludwig van Beethoven composes his famous piano piece “Für Elise”
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