The grounds, considered to be an Italian formal garden, are meticulously cared for by the Franciscan Friars of the T.O.R. Each side of the garden is bookended with long stone walls, topped with foliage-covered pergolas. At the center is a large pool that captures the reflection of the former Charles Schwab limestone mansion.

There is as much variety among the garden’s visitors as there is among the foliage. During our visit we struck up conversations with several plein air painters, witnessed a bridal party in search of the perfect spot for a wedding day photograph and were surrounded by everyone from young families to senior citizens enjoying a sunny Saturday walk.

A collection of photographs, courtesy of Johnstown photographer Shawn Schmalz, can be found on our Johnstown, PA-themed Flickr.

The Sunken Gardens are located just off of Manor Drive (State Route 1001) in Loretto, PA (click here for a map to the Sunken Gardens of Mount Assisi) and are open to the public daily from dawn until dusk. More information is available by calling (814) 472-8971.

Fortunately, there are some great opportunities to take in this view.

The Conemaugh Gap is known for being the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River–1,350 feet to be exact. The Gap can be viewed from the Conemaugh Gap Scenic Overlook, a pull-off on Haws Pike (Route 56 between Johnstown and Seward) or via the Laurel Highlands Trail. The Conemaugh Gap runs for seven miles and was formed by the Conemaugh River cutting through the Laurel Ridge Mountain.

Click here for a map to the approximate location of the Conemaugh Gap Scenic Overlook.

As the weather once again returns to the hot sunny days of summer, adults and children alike will soon be looking for new ways to cool off and enjoy the outdoors. Coal Tubin’, opening in Johnstown’s Moxham neighborhood on May 15th, will provide local adventurers with such an opportunity.

The Coal Tubin’ voyage consists of a tube down ride down Stonycreek River. Tubes are rented out at the Coal Tubin’ location in Moxham, and a staff member will shuttle participants to Greenhouse Park, where the real journey begins. Tubers will ride down the scenic Stonycreek River, taking in the sights while gliding along the water, returning to the Moxham location 2 to 3 hours later. “It allows people to get away to do something without driving for hours to get there” reports Coal Tubin’ co-owner Chad Gontkovic. “It takes the work out of it [with transportation being taken care of by us].”

“I’m a huge advocate of Johnstown,” says Gontkovic. “I see the resources we have here. Johnstown is one of those places that has so much.”

Indeed, it is not hard to see the appeal of spending a lazy summer day with friends or family, drifting along in the water, seeing the natural beauty of the Johnstown area.

Coal Tubin’ has already gained quite a bit of excitement in the area, utilizing their Web site and Facebook page to attract local residents and build anticipation for the opening weekend.

The business will open on May 15 at 10AM, and will be open every weekend this summer from 10AM to 5PM (depending on weather and river conditions), as well as during other special events such as Thunder in the Valley. Tubing is available for adults and children as young as 5 (children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult).

Coal Tubin’ is located at 303 Central Avenue in the Moxham neighborhood of Johnstown (click here for a map). Their website is at www.coaltubin.com. Click here to join their Facebook group.

The 11^th annual River Sojourn is a 3-day paddling and camping trip down the Stonycreek River, starting Thursday, June 3^rd at Greenhouse Park in Johnstown and ending Sunday, June 6^th at Summer’s Best Two Weeks campsite near Boswell, PA. Participants may sign up for just parts of the trek, or the entire journey. It is also open to both experienced paddlers and first-timers.

The trip involves both a chance to appreciate the waterway and surrounding wildlife from the boat, and to learn more about the local environment through presentations delivered at each evening’s campsite. The presentation topics include “10 Ways to Experience the Stonycreek” and “10 Stellar Paddling Trips.”

To learn more about the 2010 Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh River Sojourn, visit: http://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/recreation/skcs.html

With 36 miles of gravel trail, and many access points throughout the area, the trail is well-equipped for a casual afternoon bike ride or an all-day hike. The trail is one of many rail trails in our region, having been converted from the railways once connecting company towns, furnaces, and mines that have since been abandoned. Though little remains of these towns today, a walk down the trail is still a walk through western Pennsylvania’s industrial past.

Stand-out locations along the trail include Wehrum, the ghost town for which the trail was named (though there are a few other former town locations along the way). Though not much remains at this time, a marker has been placed to tell the story of the town, which was developed by Warren Delano, uncle of President Franklin Roosevelt. Another prime site is the Eliza Furnace near Vintondale, one of Pennsylvania’s most well preserved iron furnaces.

Access points nearest Johnstown are Vintondale and Nanty Glo in Cambria County and Wehrum and Dilltown in Indiana County. Parking is available at all access areas. Visit the Indiana County Parks & Trails Web site for maps and more information.

View additional images of the Ghost Town Trail in the “Nature and Outdoors” photo set on the Do Johnstown! Flickr photostream.

There is no getting around the sheer natural beauty enveloping the Johnstown region. Situated along the Laurel Ridge of the Allegheny Mountains, residents and visitors have ready access to forest areas and parks.

One of the more striking natural areas dotting our landscape is Buttermilk Falls, a 45-foot naturally occurring waterfall, barely a 30 minute ride from downtown Johnstown.

The magic of Buttermilk Falls lies in its rarity—waterfalls of this scale in our area require such a precise set of circumstances to form that the mere existence of such a natural wonder demands you stop and take notice.

Long-time area residents familiar with this waterfall are in for a treat. No longer is this some hidden treasure found by turning left at the Clyde Fire Hall and trying to remember the last leg of the journey before asking directions from a neighbor. In 2008 the area was given the royal treatment by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Access trails have been widened and surfaced, picnic areas established and on-site restrooms erected, making Buttermilk Falls as accessible as it is beautiful.

Directions to the falls from Johnstown, courtesy of the Indiana County Parks Web site, are:

• Follow Route 56 West to Route 22 in Armagh.
• Take ramp onto Route 22 West and proceed 1.75 miles to the village of Clyde.
• In Clyde, turn left onto Clay Pike Road.
• Follow Clay Pike Road 1.6 miles to Valley Brook Road.
• Veer left onto Valley Brook Road.
• Follow to falls parking area.

It is important to note that due to construction on Route 22 you will likely need to adjust to detours in that area. Upon our recent visit we needed to travel another 1/4 mile West on Route 22 and follow Bethel Cemetery Road to its intersection with Clay Pike Road, turning right and traveling approximately 1/4 mile before veering left onto Valley Brook Road.

Additional photos of Buttermilk Falls can be found in the “Nature and Outdoors” set on our Flickr site.

For more information, visit the Buttermilk Falls page on the Indiana County Parks Web site.

A trip outdoors doesn’t have to be a major excursion. Sometimes a little time on a small path can be just what the doctor ordered. So it is with the James Mayer Riverwalk. This trail, named after an area attorney who was dedicated to preserving the region’s natural resources, connects Johnstown’s Moxham neighborhood with the village of Riverside in Stonycreek Township.

Generally designated as an “easy” trail, the James Mayer Riverwalk is approximately a mile-and-a-half of generally level trail, with a crushed limestone surface. Convenient access, easy terrain and a gentle surface make it an ideal destination for a walk with a friend or a short bicycle ride that even young children can easily tackle.

Access and parking are available at each end of the trail. From the Moxham end, follow Central Avenue to Bridge Street; the entrance is located on the left, just before the Ferndale Bridge. From Riverside, access is found off of Eisenhower Boulevard, just across the Stonycreek River from Ferndale Boulevard. Turn southeast off of Eisenhower Boulevard onto Michigan Avenue. Continuing on Michigan Avenue the street becomes a dirt road, which leads directly to the parking area.