ENCOUNTER 2005 Newsletter

January Edition

Valley Forge National Historic Park

Page 3

 For additional driving challenges with colorful scenery to match, take a 15-mile loop around the park:

A clockwise run of the loop begins at the Valley Forge Dam Knox covered bridge, bringing you onto Yellow Springs Road.  A half-dozen horse farms line the first leg.

A double dogleg follows the fenceline of Great Scott Horse Farm, 3/4 mile from Diamond Rock Schoolhouse, an eight-sided single room memorial to early 19^th century education. A sharp right turn at the schoolhouse onto Country Club Road puts us on Diamond Rock Hill.

Diamond Rock Hill is a true second-gear-only road course. You’ll climb 700 feet over a distance of  ˝ mile.

At the peak of  Diamond Rock Hill either bear right to continue on Country Club Road which after 2.5 miles  intersects Valley Forge Road (runs back through the center of VFNHP), or a more challenging & picturesque route can be negotiated by bearing left onto Clothier Springs Road.  There are several estate farms, including one that has been owned by the (Strawbridge) & Clothier family for well over a century.  Unfortunately, several of these are being subdivided for “mega-McMansions”.  Clothier Springs Road ends on Valley Park Road.  Make a right for 1.5 miles and then left onto Jug Hollow Rd.  A short distance beyond puts you back on Valley Forge Rd, (east) returning  to VFNHP or the Park Ridge Hotel.

Between the park and hotel, you’ll pass a few unique works of art by neighbors on Gulph Road and Red Coat Lane (off Thomas Road). 

For a timeline of the Revolutionary War and/or an accounting of the activities in and around VFNHP, click onto          www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/index.html 

Next month’s website will feature a pictorial tour of approximately 1 dozen historic and covered bridges within a 35-mile radius of our hotel.

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