For 12 people it's just a short hop from Baltimore, MD to The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, assuming you have 3 airplanes and a brilliantly cool day fall day for the jaunt. We did, about a week ago, and had a delightful day discovering Nemacolin and enjoying a tour and a decadent brunch. The place is full of eye candy – art (including an impressive collection of Norman Rockwell's work), food masquerading as art, sculpture, wild animals, antique cars, and vintage airplanes.
The Laurel Highlands is an area of rolling hills and sparkling streams that is east and south of Pittsburgh. In 1968, industrialist Willard F. Rockwell of Rockwell International created a private game reserve on the area that is now the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Over the years he added a hunting lodge, golf course, and airstrip as well as a couple of lakes. A natural creek was developed into a trout stream for fishing enthusiasts. The property changed hands a couple of times, a conference center was created, and townhouses and private homes built on the estate.
Then in 1987, Joseph A. Hardy III, founder of the 84 Lumber Company, purchased a large portion of the Nemacolin property, and working with his daughter Maggie, transformed it into a 3,000 acre world-class resort. These days Nemacolin includes a spa, wildlife habitats with white tigers, black bears, buffalo zebras, and wallabies, an off-road driving academy, plus specialty shops, winter skiing, even dog sledding. Add to that several restaurants and lounges, cooking classes, wine tastings, and a multi-million dollar art collection, and you can imagine the sensory overload.
The day was magnificent, and we made it home in time for Lee to watch the Raven's Game!
Here are a few of the delightful sights:
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How very cool! The kid on the bike kills me, though ...
Hi Margaret - You and Lee just have too much fun! It sounds like you all had a wonderful day...what gorgeous weather it looked like you all had! Do you have your pilots license, too?
I agree...I have played the courses there too many times to count......and the stay there is second to none. We have access to a cabin about 2 miles from there and when we need to get away, it dosen't get any better than this....Nemacolin is the place to see.
Mariana, The kid on the bike was pretty neat and whimsical.
Linda, It was a wonderful day! Nope I do not have my ticket.
Dan, Glad you have been able to experience this special place.
Margaret, I need the guy on the funny looking bicycle for my living room window! I enjoyed reading this! Makes me want to get over my fear of small planes and head up there!
Pat, Hope you have a very big living room window! He is larger than you think. We could get you over your fear whenever you are ready. Thanks for stopping by.
Margaret- What an AMAZING day you had! You told a great tale in pictures :)
Sandi, The hard part was which photos to eliminate...there were about 50 and most were good ones.
Looks like a very beautiful place, Margaret...truly an indulgence. Gorgeous photos !
Jo
Indulgent and decadent are two words to describe this place. We were only there a couple of hours...can you imagine how many photos if I stayed for a few days.
Margaret, What a super place!! What a great get away day for all of you. Did you take that aerial photo from your plane? The whole day must have been a blast! Who is that cutie in YOUR pictures....oh, that's Lee...what a great picture of him. He looks so happy and relaxed. You are living my dream of flying..I started flying lessons a few years ago, and had to put it aside to concentrate on my marketing business. It is such a thrill, and you and Lee sure do enjoy all the fun involved. Thank you for sharing this dream day with all of us. Cheers!
Pat,
Took that photo from the plane as we were leaving. The runway is right next to the resort...how convenient! Didn't know that flying was a dream of yours. Make sure you don't give it up... go for it!
Lee is pretty cute, isn't he? Sometimes refer to him as TLH (the lovely husband)... stole that idea from TLW
Pat, When are you going to start your flying lessons again?
Don't give up your dream!
TLH says 'hi' back.
Margaret, Well, wouldn't that be fun to start lessons again....hmmmm. Thanks for cheering me on. Give TLH my best.
Pat, I think you would love the flying lessons again. Make it a goal and go for it!
So 84 Lumber was started in that area? All this time I thought it was an Ohio start up LOL How egocentric of me. Fabulous photos and I see a few pieces of sculpture that would look good in my house :-) Margaret, you jet setter you!
Carole, I just knew you would appreciate the sculpture. BTW that elephant vase ,or one like it, was owned by Barbra Steisand.
I had a feeling it was out of my price range; now I know for sure :-) it's so whimsical I love it
Carole, I was referring to the elephant glass vase not the whimsical sculpture. It may not be out of your price range. Want me to call and find out?
Oooooh I am positive it's out of my range but it's very cool. You took amazing photos!
Carole, Easy to take good photos when you like the subject.