Kim Wood

Image Courtesy of Allie's.Dad

I posted about the Free gift from your Chester County Real Estate agent this morning and thought I should share with the awesome readers of ActiveRain!

If you live in the greater Chester County area - here is your opportunity to get Free Potted Mums from your Chester County Real Estate Agent !!! You get to chose the color too!

It's not a contest - it's a giveaway. Free. No obligation. No strings attached. You don't even have to be thinking about a Home Sale in Chester County at all!! No, you don't have to be moving to or from Chester County !

Why? RE/MAX Main Line, the brokerage I am affiliated with, began the RE/MAX Main Line Charitable Foundation about two and a half years ago. I contribute a portion of my commission from every sale whether from a Home Buyer or Home Seller. The foundation has been able to grant monies to various organizations in the communities we serve. This is the 3rd Annual Mum Sale and is one of a couple of fundraisers we do. So its a way I can support the foundation and show appreciation for my readers!

If you live in Chester County, Montgomery County, or Delaware County PA - you are a winner! Just email me at Flowers(at)KimWood.net by Monday, August 25th at Midnight with your choice of what color flowers you would like. You can chose from Deep Wines/Red, Golden, Pinks/Roses, Whites/Creams. 8" pots. We can arrange for delivery or pick up in Paoli or West Chester. One per household, please.

Watching the Philadelphia Phillies against the Washington Nationals the other night was such a treat in so many ways!

First, Kevin Sutera of Mortgage America gave away the tickets to the first person who emailed and said they'd like them. I wasn't first, but the person who was had a client emergency come up - so I was next in line :)

There were three tickets - so I invited two of my three daughters (the 3 yr old said she didn't want to go anyway). Here is a picture of us on the way to the game

I'd been to Citizens Bank Park before, and I love the patriotism that is so evident there

Not just the game was cool..... another part was the rescuing of Manti, the Praying Mantis. It was windy where we were (Mr. Mortgage guy doesn't know I'm a scaredy cat princess and the seats were high up - so I stood). Manti was having trouble.... so I thought.... until he got just where he wanted to be....

Watching the game!

That's not all!!! I got to see my friend, Bill Lublin, who was also at the game with some friends, family, and co-workers. Yep. That was the best part! I needed a real life hug from him! (We were talking when the Phillies won the game in the 9th inning! oops, Sorry Bill!)

I'm lucky that Philadelphia Sports are so close. From Chester County you can get to the pro-games in about 40 minutes. In a couple of weeks, I'll get to my first Eagle's game. I can't wait!!! For more things you can do if you move to the Chester County area, visit my West of Philly Burbs blog.

It’s not just a Local Yokel that knows and experiences the outdoors in the area parks….

You can experience them with me!

All the townships in Chester County have their own flavor of community parks with walking trails, preservation areas, soccer fields (especially full on Saturdays!), tennis courts, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc. There are also beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania; and I can’t forget the one National Park in Chester County.

I enjoy experiencing the different flavor of the parks in the surrounding areas of the Delaware Valley and try to change the place for my walks.

My favorite parks in CHESTER COUNTY:

Downingtown Borough: Kerr Park occupies a lot of space in my childhood memory bank. The tennis courts are still there that I used to keep myself occupied while “Mom” played. Kerr Park is where many of the festivities for Good Neighbor Day take place. The All-Abilities Playground is also a big hit!

East Brandywine Township: Community Park. They just added more fields and the walking trails go on and on... This is where I walk most often, due to convenience to my house :) You can catch entire families exercising and playing ball together many evenings. The energy is phenomenal. We often chase the ball around play tennis here.

East Caln Township: Bell Tavern Park is the place to be on hot weather days! The playground is one of the best in the area (even with sprinklers during the heat) and picnic tables come in handy. There is a sand volleyball court, roller hockey rink, tennis courts, and walking trail as well.

East Goshen Township: The East Goshen Township Park is located off of Paoli Pike and spans for 55 acres. They have tennis, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, putting green, totlot/playground, fitness trail.

I found myself during my walk removing my i-pod headphones to listen to the birds singing to me! They have a bird watching guide and preservation area around the fitness trail.

French Creek State Park: French Creek is our local get-away spot. Camping is offered and you can feel like you are miles away! Home to two lakes and 40 miles of hiking trails. There is a Frisbee golf course, pavilions, and geocaching available.

Hibernia Park (County) Park: Over 900 acres of trails, woodlands, fishing, picnics, camping – PLUS a 90 acre lake for small fishing and boating. There is a historic mansion, Hibernia Mansion (Built around 1744) which is also located in the park and available for limited tours.

Marsh Creek Lake State Park: This park includes 1,705 acres which includes a 535-acre Lake. Windsurfing, Boating, Kayaking, Fishing, Swimming are all some of the highlights of the park.

(An interesting tidbit about Marsh Creek Lake State Park. My grandmother’s family home is somewhere in the bottom of the lake – taken over by imminent domain.)

Tredyffrin Township: Their parkland has over 345 acres dedicated for parks. Wilson Park (90 acres) is located in Chesterbrook and has an All Abilities Playground, putting green, volleyball, and all sorts of sports fields.

Wait! You can’t leave the Local Yokel Tour of Chester County Parks yet……

Chester County also boasts to be the home of The Valley Forge National Park, one of the most famous parks in the world.

Video Courtesy of MrKlaffdotcom

Valley Forge Park not only memorializes the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation during the encampment of 1777, but there are stories told, tours given, re-enactments lived, and collections displayed.

Valley Forge Park includes cell-phone guided tours, and also story telling benches (a storyteller begins telling a 5 minute story when one approaches the bench), trolley tours, after hour tours, Guided Walks, Gallery Talks, Vault Tours, and special events taking place year round. During your visit you most likely will spot at the least deer, and quite possibly other wildlife including fox.

Trail System – Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking, you can do it all within the Valley Forge Park at different designated areas. 28 miles of authorized trails are located within the park boundaries. There are 19 miles of marked hiking trails designated just for hiking.

The beauty of Chester County abounds when you take a look at the parks. The rolling hills are home to parks that make you feel like you are in the deep forest (French Creek); relax by the water and sunbathe like you are on the beach (Marsh Creek); and get your fill of history lessons while going back in time (Valley Forge).

Chester County, Pennsylvania, a great place to call home, abounding in parks and outdoor recreation.

Are you relocating to Chester County, Pennsylvania?

I’d love to help.

Get ready! A big celebration is happening in Downingtown, Chester County, PA on July 4th! I sent our family's registration forms in for the 5K Walk. Are you participating?

July 4th kicks off with a 5K & 10K Run, 5K Walk, and 1mi Kid's Run... that's just the beginning! My mother has actually been running in this race for years - even flew back from New Mexico for 10 yrs+ just to run "at home" for the big day!

There are many happenings throughout the day, the best thing would be to check out their schedule of events.

Canoe Races, Duck Races, Carnival Rides & Food, Craft Booths, Wife Carrying & Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Log Cabin Tours, Music - - - and FIREWORKS!

Happy Independence Day, America! What a great way to celebrate in Downingtown, Pennsylvania! You might come and decide you love it so much you want to move to Downingtown! Guess who can help you buy a house in Downingtown, Chester County? Who would? Kim Wood!

Shhhh I'm not supposed to be telling anyone about this. So don't tell her I told you.

My daughter, AChrome (21) , is taking her Pennsylvania Real Estate License Exam soon. (I better not write the date in case a local reader reads and then says something to her - I'd be in Trou-ble!). She only told me cause she wants a celebratory dinner at Olive Garden in the case of a pass. I don't care why - I'm happy and honored she did!

I am so proud of AChrome (guess if she gets licensed, she'll be happy to have me plaster her real name all over the place :).....

She went to Real Estate classes while working full-time at RE/MAX Main Line and going to school full-time ! She also is heavy into social networking, works out at the gym, spends quality family time with us (and her almost 5 year old sister, LittleOne), and lives on her own in an apartment!

I don't know how she is fitting in study time - and she might just go "on-the-fly" to take this and see how she does. It's not an easy test - that's for sure, but regardless of the outcome.....

If you'd like to wish her well.... please do.... I'll let her see this... eventually :)