March is the month of the active migration of the Golden Eagle returning from their winter sites to northern nesting grounds. The Allegheny Mountain Ridge through Pennsylvania is one of the funnels for this homeward trek, with Tussey Ridge near Boalsburg and White Deer Ridge near Lewisburg as premier sites for spotters and counters.
Undisturbed Flyway
As the Flyway may compete with future Wind Energy development, this early spring is an important occasion for lovers of raptors, as well as those weighing the importance of both major ecological concerns. Tussey Ridge and White Deer Ridge are close enough for tandem spotting and counting during a getaway stay at The Chatelaine B&B and Aaronsburg Inn.
Two Inns for Tandem Spotting of Golden Eagles
The Chatelaine B&B in the village of Pine Grove Mills, founded in 1801, is just beneath the Jo Hayes Vista overlook at the crest of Tussey Mountain where parking allows visitors to walk 1/4 mile to the site of the official spotting and counting crew. The B&B opened in 1985 and provides a warm welcome to guests returning from pre-spring vigils on the mountaintop. Raptors of many species can be seen gliding throughout the year, from the grounds of the farmhouse. March and early April FEATURES the Golden. Not so beautiful, but truly spectacular, was the sighting of a huge flock of Turkey Vultures making a prolonged rest-stop in the farm's hedgerows and fences. To have such a pastoral setting just miles from the dynamic happenings of State College and Pennsylvania State University offers the best of all worlds.
The Aaronsburg Inn, circa 1805, located in the oldest village in Centre County, PA. Is a distinctive federal-styled inn and spa close to White Deer Ridge where eagles actually nest as well as fly over towards Canada. The Inn features the finest bedding in feathers and down, with linens crisply ironed, plus all other dreamed-of amenities to entice the most discriminating guest. The spa services are unique to Centre Country, and their furnishings are museum quality. Some say that Aaronburg is a mystical pulse point on the heroic Purple Heart Highway (SR45). The innkeepers act to reinforce that very special quality of inn-side ambience and exterior setting that epitomize the best B&Bs can ever offer.
Both B&Bs, situated on the Purple Heart Highway (SR45,) will offer Progressive or Individual Getaways during March of 2008. Guests should bring their binoculars, cameras and cold-weather gear to brave the lusty winds of the mountaintops. Hot boxed lunches will bring comfort during the day’s excursions and dinner reservations in Lewisburg or Boalsburg, PA. will warm the hearts of any traveler after this solemn mission. Ashless hearths in most bedrooms add the luster of open flames to the experience of a lifetime.
Still undecided? Go to www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.
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