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A quick jaunt from Pittsburgh for those looking for their next adventure

Submitted by Amy Camp

As a Pittsburgher who does some work in the Mon Valley (helping out with the Mon River Town Program when called upon), I’ve come to appreciate the area as a close-to-home day trip. I’m still pleasantly surprised to find the pastoral setting complete with rolling hills and two-lane curvy roads so close to the city. That’s why when faced with an extra day off this week, my wife and I headed for the river valley.

Here’s how we spent our day:

Triple B Farms in Monongahela

Even before reaching the farm, we’d been transported to another place. If you arrive via Raccoon Valley Road as we did, you may feel the same way. We were on a quest for black raspberries, but found so much more. The farm store was loaded with fresh produce (we went home with berries and sweet corn), homemade fudge, and all sorts of jams, jellies, and pickled items. And I’ll be back soon to pick up a 10-gallon bucket of sour cherries. The folks at Triple B meet a Michigan farmer halfway in mid-July and then haul them back to Washington County for waiting pie makers. If you’d like to be one of them, get on the list by July 11.

Outside, there were goats and other animals, an observation beehive, and pick your own fruits. The “pick your own” is weekends only and depends on crop availability. Call ahead (724-258-3557) or follow the farm’s Facebook page. Feeding the goats was a personal highlight. I have to say, the thrill of having a baby goat nibble feed from your hand extends into adulthood. Go see the goats!

Brownsville’s Historic Northside

I’ve been to Brownsville quite a few times but never parked the car and walked the Northside neighborhood, which is a National Register-listed historic district. The main thoroughfare, Market Street, is part of the Historic National Road. Pittsburghers may know of the astronomer John Brashear. His birthplace in a 19th Century tavern is just steps from one of the old National Road markers. When you go, take your favorite camera, because there’s a lot to shoot here – church steeples, historic homes and storefronts, and even an old hospital (Brownsville General) and nurses home being reclaimed by nature (no trespassing, of course). Poke around the area long enough and you’ll find great river views and a churchyard structure constructed from old gravestones.

Route 40 Classic Diner

We continued on from Brownsville and went to the Route 40 Classic Diner. While we went hoping for pie, our dishes pushed us over the eating edge and pie proved to be impossible this trip. This is bound to happen when you order chicken pot pie and chicken and biscuits, both daily specials that afternoon. The stainless steel diner looks as if it’s been there all along, but it was hauled 500 miles to this spot in 2007 – a great addition to the National Road.

North Belle Vernon

We made one more stop after the diner. We headed off for North Belle Vernon, where we’d done some antiquing last summer. We only made it to one shop – Broad Avenue Treasures – before closing and were pleased with our finds and shop owner Stefanie McCulloch’s hospitality. There are a few other vintage shops in North Belle Vernon (one where I bought my favorite cast iron skillet last year, a Griswold, made in Erie). The shops are collaborating to host “Antiques on the Avenue” on July 23. The event runs from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., rain or shine. Outside vendors can join them and set up along Broad Avenue. (Call Stefanie at 724-929-7467 to learn more.)

What we didn’t do

The list of stops we didn’t make is long. We could have spent time in any number of Mon River Towns or hit up any of these spots:

• We passed Keystone Bakery (open 90 years!) on our way home from North Belle Vernon. We weren’t able to stop this time, but will the next time we’re through. Check out their specialty and ethnic items page, which lists a number of goodies that celebrate the ethnic heritage of Mon Valley residents.
• Donora Smog Museum – we’ve been there before and enjoyed learning more about the smog event that was one of the impetuses for the environmental movement.
• Nemacolin Castle, Flatiron Heritage Museum, and Frank L. Melega Art Museum, all in Brownsville
• Antique shops in Monongahela, followed by a meal at Lenzi’s, a Mon Valley Institution
• High Point Restaurant and Lounge near California, where the river curves like a horseshoe – be ready for one of the best views in southwestern PA. The High Point is open Thursday-Saturday only in the summer.
• Mingo Creek County Park (those coming from Washington, PA, and other points west may be particularly interested in checking out the park and its iconic covered bridges)
• The Speers Street Grill and Back Porch Restaurant in Speers. In addition to its formal dining, the Back Porch has a Side Door Bistro, a casual lower level space that stands out with the exposed stone foundation.
• Further south, a few of my personal favorite stops are Friendship Hill National Historic Site (go for the FestiFall event in the fall and try the bean soup), the W.A. Young & Sons Machine Shop and Foundry (it’s so cool to see the volunteers get the old belts and pulleys running), the Greene River Trail, and Apple Annie’s restaurant, known for its desserts.

These are all spots that I know of and am personally attracted to. Mon Valley residents, leave a comment to let us know what you recommend.