SnapShot with Stefanie GorderSnapShot is a monthly column offering a collection of travel & networking concepts to destinations and activities worldwide.
Expose yourself to travel!
an emotional travel journey of self-discovery
Last fall, Pittsburgh hosted the National Tour Association Convention. This convention draws thousands of travel professionals from all over North America into one location to conduct a myriad of opportunities for business. A key feature for tour operators (companies that package travel) is participation in a familiarization trip. These “fam” trips allow an area to be showcased in the effort to convince an operator to create a tour that features their region. The team from the Laurel Highlands showed us a destination worthy of business and pleasure. What I didn’t expect was to feel both joy and sadness in this beautiful setting.
The first day of our adventure, I met up with my fellow woNTA’s (women of NTA). Shelley from Canada and Julia from North Carolina whom I consider “soul sisters” but also two strong women who make me laugh really hard about our misadventures.
The first night of networking was meeting our tour director Linda Mauzy, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau Group Marketing Manager who was to show off the best her region offered. Looking back, I think my downfall that evening was in getting caught up in the networking aspects (well, and the martini’s). The evening started innocently enough. Linda arranged for tour suppliers in the area to come out and meet the traveling delegates. Getting to know people in advance of seeing their product is a win-win situation. Later as Shelley, Julia and I met up in the lounge; the hours passed by too quickly as we started the dramatic process of catching up on each other lives. Up too early the next morning, we found that Linda really would keep a tight schedule regardless of our recently acquired self-induced health issues. She had us in and out of attractions and there would be no time for napping on the motorcoach. For the next few days, we were entertained and engaged in the local history and legends as the most remarkable regional representative kept our little group of travel professionals whipped into shape. Allow me to take you through my travel journey of self discovery in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. From the highs to the lows that forever altered our thoughts and made the Laurel Highlands a travel memory to last a lifetime.Flight 93 National Memorial & Flight 93 Memorial Chapel
Ever have one of those moments when you know if you try to speak the words won’t come out right and there are so many twisted emotions you can no longer think straight or take a breath? The power of certain destinations or memories so vivid that you lose track of the moment and actually feel every ounce of your environment. There is no preparation for feeling empty sadness and no one could have prepared me for the power of my feelings at this venue. On September 11, 2001 I had awoken early and watched the dramatic television clips unfold before my eyes with the feeling of dread.
Years later, standing at the site of the Flight 93 National Memorial on an overcast day fitting for the memories, I stood in silence with tears streaming for this horrendous loss of lives on an empty field before me. The silence was deafening and my colleagues could not see each other through the blur of tears. The empty seats recognizing each tragic death individually was so overwhelming I could hardly concentrate on the presenter describing the exact details of the day. All I could think about was what I could see but not hear. The silence between the spoken words. The solid and blank stares towards the field. A feeling of emptiness inside the soul. The sacred ground which honors the 40 heroes who changed history and the eeriness mixed with a peaceful quiet. I didn’t hear birds, I didn’t see the typical joy from the sights at a national memorial and I didn’t rejoice in the fact I was in Shanksville, Pennsylvania observing the silence. I was deeply saddened and thankful for those who will not let us forget these tragic events that changed us.The Temporary Memorial is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year. Be prepared for the constant breeze as the memorial is an open field. It is a place for reflection and expressions of respect for which these heroes deserve. The crash site itself is only open to Flight 93 families. Be sure to also stop by the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel, another tribute to the heroes. And bring plenty of Kleenex!
Quecreek Mine Rescue Site
A short distance away from the crash site of United Flight 93 is another story of hope, struggle and survival; this one ending on a happy note. Since the late 1800’s the mining industry in Somerset County has been a tradition carried through generations of families. If the opportunity to meet Bill and Lori Arnold arises, accept it with gratitude and your life will forever be changed. Bill and Lori own Dormel Farms, which in July of 2002 was the site of the largest mine rescue effort in nearly three decades. For five days their community was watched by the world as they helped save the lives of nine others. The story they share at the site is a testimonial to the determination to make a difference. This was not their intention when the phone rang late one night with news of 50 to 60 million gallons of water pouring into Quecreek Mine and trapping nine men working 240 feet below their farm.
The drive up looks innocent enough with the surroundings featuring large pastures in this quaint country setting of rural Pennsylvania. At the park, a 7 foot cast bronze coal miner honors miners everywhere. Inside the Dormel Enterprise Building, the actual rescue capsule that pulled the men out of Quecreek Mine is on display. Also view maps and other artifacts surrounding the rescue efforts. For our group, Lori took the stage and in a calm and clear voice told the unique story of the rescue where all miners in Quecreek were fortunate to get out with the help of an amazing community. The headline “9 of 9” was the front page on many newspapers across the world and the story is worthy of repeating. As I sat motionless listening to Lori Arnold describe her personal story, I again felt that sharp gasp of breath that is followed by overflowing tear ducts. Sometimes the best stories are connected with emotional outburst that we have no control over. Two for two that day.
The area is open for individuals and groups although calling ahead is highly recommended. The memorial site is open daily from dawn to dusk. For more information about the incredible mine rescue and the construction of their visitor center, see: http://www.quecreekrescue.org
Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect
Visiting Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands is spectacular during any season for the natural and man-made scenery. Many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs were inspired by the region’s setting. From the architectural masterpieces of the incredible Fallingwater to opening Kentuck Knob years later and only six miles away, this region now boasts three Wright-designed homes. All available for tours and now the 1957 Usonian home, The Duncan House accepts overnight guests. Frank Lloyd Wright was born in 1867 and remembered as a renowned American architect, interior designer, writer and educator. He designed more than a thousand projects all with engaging structure using the environment. In 1991 Wright was recognized by the American Institute of Architects as “the greatest American architect of all time”.
and then withal as gracious and lovable as may be." -Frank Lloyd Wright
Today recognized as his finest work, Fallingwater is a mountain retreat built over a waterfall for the Edgar Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh. It is superior in design and our interpreter integrated both Wright’s style with incredible commentary as we toured. Once finished, Fallingwater became famous and today is a National Historic Landmark. It is the only major Wright designed home to open to the public with all furnishings, artwork and setting intact. For more about Fallingwater, link to http://www.fallingwater.org.
After having fallen in love with the Kaufmann’s home, Bernardine and I.N. Hagan asked Wright to design a home for them. Kentuck Knob is a small one story Usonian house (meaning affordable for the common people) and a signature design of Wright’s. With the appearance of jutting out below the crest of the hills, Kentuck Knob appears almost a part of the surrounding Laurel Highland mountains. The Hagan’s sold the home in 1986 to Lord Palumbo of England who opened the home for tours in 1996.
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
McDonald’s Big Mac© Museum Restaurant
Did you know there was a museum built exclusively for McDonald’s Big Mac©? On our final day together, Linda announced due to timing we would not be able to visit the museum which is located inside an actual restaurant. The huge gasp of dismay from our professional group is still somewhat of a mystery to me since many on the bus were vegetarians. We quickly formed a Big Mac© democracy and decided the alternative to no visit was to take over the motorcoach and convince the driver to stop. After all, we came all this way and needed the reward of seeing the enormous Big Mac© that everyone in the region had been mentioning. To be perfectly honest, had no one mentioned the Museum we might have been able to complete our adventure without this visit. The call of an afternoon snack of those tasty French fries was too much and we ousted the dissenting voice of reason. Linda Mauzy had no control over us as we in a rambunctious, yet relatively peaceful coup encouraged our driver to take us to the McDonald’s Big Mac© Museum (well, that and promises of treats!). Once inside, we were stunned at the size of the Big Mac© monument and our laughter took on a childlike sound. Content with fries and ice cream dribbled down our faces, we departed happily and loudly reciting the Big Mac© jingle … "twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesonionsonasesameseedbun©".
The beauty of the Laurel Highlands combined with rich historical events and power evoking struggles make this destination worthy for all age groups. At Fort Necessity National Battlefield, step back into the time of George Washington and see his original saddle pistols and memoirs on display at Fort Ligonier. At the Johnston Flood Museum browse the museum and watch an Academy Award documentary of the 1889 flood. Children will love the Heritage Discovery Center where they can become immigrants from Ellis Island in an interactive museum showcasing the challenges, life and times of this melting pot community. For a visit completely different, visit Saint Vincent Gristmill where Benedictine Monks have been grinding grains to flour since 1854.
Take the headaches out of planning … call an expert!
Being in the travel business allows for meeting the best experts in destinations through networking. Linda Mauzy is one of the most professional members of the travel industry I have encountered in my twenty-five years. I want to publicly thank her for hosting our FAM tour which at times was uncontrollable yet always entertaining. We were enlightened and have a love for the Laurel Highlands due to her passion for the destination. THANKS LINDA! I suggest becoming a fan of the Laurel Highlands on Facebook and then head there to explore the regional wonders!
Planning a business meeting or vacation to the Laurel Highlands? Contact:
Association: Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands
Contact: Linda Mauzy, Group Marketing Manager
Email: lmauzy@laurelhighlands.org
Address: 120 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658
Phone: 800.333.5661
Web: http://www.laurelhighlands.org/
Travel Guide: http://laurelhighlands.org/pdf/LH_TG_2009_b.pdf
Link here for events in the Laurel Highlands:http://laurelhighlands.org/groups/specialEvents.cfm
Need a quality scheduled tour in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands? Contact:
Company: TravelStarz
Contact: Becky Wiegand, Owner
Email: TravelStarz46614@aol.com
Address: 19551 Gilmer St., South Bend, IN 46614
Phone: 574.291.1731
Web: http://www.travelstarzonline.com/
SnapShot is a monthly column offering a collection of travel & networking concepts to destinations and activities worldwide. Expose yourself to travel!
For more information, please visit Stefanie's TNNW Bio.
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