Outdoors

151 articles

Troy Weston and Melissa Hombosky

The accidental residents: “We forgot to move”

“We never intended to stay here,” Troy Weston and Melissa Hombosky said about their move to Happy Valley in 2002. “We just forgot to leave.” There seems to be a little more to the story than forgetting to leave.

Rolling Rails Lodge

Where to find your forever happy in Happy Valley

The wedding bells are ringing here in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania! As wedding season blooms alongside the tulips, crocuses and daffodils, brides and grooms are getting ready to tie the knot at some of Happy Valley’s most unique venues. Whether you long to be surrounded by grandeur or you have ambitions of a simple, intimate affair, there is no shortage of options here in Happy Valley. Provided you’ve left time to plan, of course! Venues for those special dates book fast, but be sure to check out some of these unique venues in your search for the perfect place to say, “I do!”

2023 Coburn Gathering Group Pic

Do pirates always return to the scene of the crime? They do at McFarland’s Coburn Gathering

The annual McFarland Gathering in Coburn, PA is a sacred ritual — a place where fly rod enthusiasts have met to cast, fish and enjoy each other’s company dating back to 2007. Members of the gathering range from 14 years old to over 80, and come from diverse backgrounds in consulting, teaching, IT, healthcare, and marketing. We all have one thing in common: the belief that the little hamlet of Coburn is proof of God’s benevolence in our busy lives.

ClearWater Conservancy

Getting’ Outside in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania

Exercise and spending time in nature are both scientifically proven to improve people’s physical and mental well-being, so it’s no wonder a place known as “Happy Valley” is a wonderland for all types of outdoor recreation. It’s also a great place to meet and befriend outdoor recreationalists of all stripes. Below, we talk to a handful of outdoor adventurers about how they enjoy the natural paradise that is Happy Valley:

AFT vista looking back at Allegheny Front 2905 ps mf

Happy Valley Vistas

Tussey, Nittany, Bald Eagle – Six mountains and the Allegheny Front traverse Happy Valley. All provide excellent opportunities to view picturesque valleys from constructed or happenstance vistas. Vistas can be hard-earned at the end of a rugged hike or a beautiful view that you discover while driving around the county.

Hawk Watch

“The juxtaposition is so interesting” Palmer Museum’s Sarah Anne Wharton on the best-of-both-worlds Happy Valley scene

After Sarah Anne Wharton graduated from Juniata College, she launched to Maine, New Mexico and Brooklyn, New York, never expecting to land back in Central Pennsylvania. Today, she proudly calls herself a Happy Valley local. She’s a champion for the area’s unique mix of outdoor adventure, vibrant research and — as communications specialist for the Palmer Museum of Art — art for everyone.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau publishes up-to-date event information at HappyValley.com/events