Kooser State Park

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 04:15:55 GMT

Kooser State Park

I was recently gifted a Pennsylvania State Park Passport Book! If you’re not familiar, the book is full of information about the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, our state parks and state forests. There is a slot to record your visit to each destination. Most have a stamp you can put into your book to remember your visit!

Not so long ago I took a day trip to Kooser State Park. Just over 14 miles from Foggy Mountain Lodge & Pub, Kooser is conveniently located along PA-31.

I personally went for the hiking. My group decided to take the Kincora Trail. According to the PA DCNR the trail is considered “More difficult” and is 1.0 mile long, out & back. We did not encounter any other hikers on our trip, we had the woods all to ourselves it seemed like. I enjoyed the trail! It was well marked by yellow blazes on the trees.

When we finished the Kincora we decided to pop over to the Tree Army Trail and walked a portion of it. It takes you along Kooser Run and offers the soothing sounds of water. We did happen upon several people fishing in the stream some were having luck and some not quite yet! The Tree Army Trail makes a nice afternoon stroll.

Picnic tables are easily accessible so make sure you pack yourself a lunch and enjoy the beauty of this Pennsylvania State Park!

If you are looking for more information on Kooser State Park, check out the PA website here !

Welcome to Foggy Focus!

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:00:00 GMT

Welcome To Foggy Focus

Welcome to our new blog, Foggy Focus! We are so excited you stopped by to check us out! As the main authors of this blog, Jim & Amanda, we are excited to have you! Our goal is to let you know about all the happenings in the Laurel Highlands and around the Foggy Mountain property!

Before we focus on all the fun, let’s cover the basics about us!

Jim

I was born and raised in Canonsburg, Pa. I basically was transplanted to the Laurel Highlands in 2000. My wife Karen and I were searching out a place to be married and found Foggy Mountain. My friends came from Canonsburg, Washington County ,and her friends came from Reading, Berks County and we were married in front of the big fireplace in the restaurant of Foggy Mountain Pub. We had our reception in a tent in the center of the property. We continued to return for visits and purchased a dilapidated house on the Foggy property which we renovated. When the Foggy Mountain property came up for sale we put in a bid and purchased the property in 2004. We have worked on improving the property ever since. Karen is the event coordinator at Foggy's Walnut Hall and I basically do anything that is needed.

I worked a 43 year career in the insurance industry and retired in 2020. My Laurel Highlands love was instilled in me as a child. My parents would take us to Ohiopyle for a day of fun and picnic.

Karen and I have traveled quite a bit over our 23 years of marriage but recently have settled into a routine of going to Myrtle Beach for a break as we can conveniently fly out of Arnold Palmer Airport in Latrobe. We currently live on the Foggy property with our two dogs. Between the two of us, we have five children, all married, with 11 grandchildren spread from Reading, Pa to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Amanda

Growing up in the Laurel Highlands as a self proclaimed bookworm, I love this region. There’s nothing better than sitting outside listening to the sounds of nature and reading! I have lived outside the Laurel Highlands, but always gravitate back. I’ve always been a traveler, in more recent years I have taken to hiking.

On the weekends, when I’m not taking care of my dogs, cats, chickens, or goats, or gardening my vegetables or flowers, I’m often in a state park or winery!

In the past 45 days I have visited 7 state parks, 1 state forest, 2 national parks, and countless other tourist attractions. I’ve taken one round trip plane ride and driven hundreds of miles. Why? Because I love to explore and see new things. I have my Pennsylvania State Park passport book as well as my National Park Passport book. I recently had to buy the extender pack for my National Park Passport! (I’ve only had it a little over a year!)

When I’m not experiencing life, I do work. I own a small business bookkeeping firm, in addition to my role as the office manager at Foggy, I work the on the Walnut Hall team for events. As office manager I also help out at the pub and with lodging when needed! Around here, we all pitch in to help each other!