Mosquito Beemers: Photos of Wellsboro, PA

Overnight Trip to Wellsboro Pennsylvania

May 19 and 20 2007

Our Spring Trip to Wellsboro, Pa was a great success! Located in Tioga County in the north central mountains of Pennsylvania, Wellsboro is an outdoor-lovers paradise. Just east of the town is a deep gorge carved by the Pine Creek which is often described as “The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” Forty-seven miles long and 1000 feet deep, it is a breathtaking sight.

Susan, Scott Butler and I rode out on Thursday May 18 (a day early) in light drizzle and cold temperatures. The drizzle evaporated about as fast as it collected, negating the need for sophisticated rain gear but it made hypothermia an ever present danger. We rode the suggested path of due East on Routes 88 and 358 to Franklin, PA and pick up Route 62 NE to Warren, PA. From Warren continue east on Route 59 to Smethport where it connects with U.S. Route 6. Continue east on U.S. Route 6 to Wellsboro.

We left Parkman at 9:00am sharp and stopped often to change layers and warm up. Stops included Sandy Lake for gas and coffee, Franklin (at a terrific coffee shop) for coffee and scones, Warren for lunch and Smethport for pie and coffee. We arrived in Wellsboro at 5:00pm after logging about 275 miles and ensconced ourselves in the Pen Wells Hotel. After hot showers we went to the hotel bar for drinks and gravitated to a great Italian restaurant across the street. After a stroll around town we all turned in early with the happy weariness of motorcycling.

Scott had to go back to Cleveland and left before Susan and I were up on Friday. We had breakfast and headed out to the east rim of the Grand Canyon. I had been here last December on a wood buying mission and was happy to share the majestic scenery. We rode forest roads south for about 15 or 20 miles. They were well groomed dirt that even my K1200GT did well with. It did so well that I dubbed it the "Adventure Model." Susan's F650GS ate these roads and asked for more. We ended up about 60 miles south in Woolrich, PA and the Woolrich Outlet Store. After some shopping we headed north to Wellsboro on Routes 220, 287 and 6.

Dick and Donna Beyerle and Pat and Pat Fletcher showed up around 4:30 and we compared stories of the road on the ride out. After cocktails in the hotel bar we crossed the street to the same Italian joint as the night before for a great meal, talk of all things two wheeled, shopping opportunities and good fun.

Saturday morning we met at 7:30am and walked to a great beagle shop for breakfast. Pat, Dick, Susan and I then rode out to the east rim of the Canyon. We then rode over to the west rim which was a really neat, steep, circuitous road built by the CCC in the 30s. The views from the summit were truly panoramic. After a lunch of so, so pizza (and a long wait) in Galeton we rode south on Route 144 to 44 ending up in Waterville. From here we took a county road northeast to English Center. Entering English Center we crossed a lovely suspension bridge built in the early 20th Century. From here it was Route 287 north to Wellsboro. The riding was full of twists and turns with off camber changing pavement surfaces par for the course. Another BMW club from the New Jersey Shore happened to arrive at the hotel with us. We compared bikes and traded good roads in the area.

We all took a siesta and met in the bar at 6:00pm for cocktails. The other club was there as well so there was no lack of motorcycle talk. The Mosquito Beemers then went across the street to the same Italian restaurant for a third night giving it a three star rating.

After a good night sleep everyone retraced their ride to home. Susan and I arrived home at about 3:00pm, tired and happy.

Ernie Conover
May 21, 2007