This is US-62, where it follows--and occasionally hugs--the Allegheny River, way up north. To think that I paddled this stretch of the river on Independence Day, when it was 2 degrees cooler than the surface of Venus.
It could be the wintry setting for the novel Ethan Frome, or it might just be the Ice Planet of Hoth--from The Empire Strikes Back. I've had my eye on this abandoned farmhouse for years. It sits right on Route 62, just above the river. Sadly, it belongs to the US Forest Service, which is letting it fall into ruin, and it has No Trespassing signs clearly displayed. The barn that served this erstwhile farm sits across the road and very close to the river. The Forest Service seems to be using it as a bat sanctuary. I understand that the beleaguered Allegheny National Forest cannot be in the business of restoring historic buildings, but this is just such a waste. Can you imagine living in a place like this, overlooking the river and its wooded hills?
Everything feels like it's made of snow and ice.
My well froze up at the house up north. The friendly folks from the local well service came out and got it going again. They said that in the winter, you need to bury the opening in a mound of snow like an igloo--seen here--to keep the wind chill from reaching the warmer water below.
Here's the Allegheny River, as seen from the bridge in Tidioute. I've never seen it frozen solid like this. I was tempted to try my luck at walking out onto it, but memories of a recent backpacking trip to West Virginia prevented me. (Falling through the ice is a terrible thing.) Lake Erie is frozen solid, too, which I never would have believed. The downhill drive into Tidioute was a little harrowing on narrow, slippery roads.
There's no shortage of abandoned farmhouses along the river. This one is visible from the bridge, and is located on the edge of Tidioute, where it sits above the river on US-62--just like Ethan Frome's house, above. I'm learning how hard it is to maintain an old house. My Pittsburgh house is currently being bat-proofed and cleansed of all guano for THOUSANDS of dollars. But truly, how could anyone have the heart to walk away from such beautiful places as these?
