Thursday, October 15th, 2015

Thursday, October 15^th, 2015
Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania

On Top of the Hill


While walking down cool downtown State College, one café was playing the local radio station broadcasting through the speakers.  It just so happened that the chorus of My Sweet Lord was playing as I passed the café.  Yes indeed, the sound of George Harrison’s voice came through on the chorus of that beautiful musical piece at that moment.  What are the chances of that happening?  I took it as a good omen.  What else about State College?   It's where you find Pennsylvania’s largest university.  Two young female students working on a film project spontaneously had me in a queue for questions about pumpkin picking.  The camera started rolling:
“Have you ever picked pumpkins?” was the first question.
“As someone who grew up on a farm, I’ve harvested about everything, except for pumpkins.”
The interview started off light but it became more grave as we moved along and started to discuss about my purpose for walking.  The notion of pilgrimage was discussed.  The interview was done and personally I believe that the girls were charmed by having a guy answering questions in pumpkin-coloured attire.
Our evening in Tyrone, a town of 5,000 plus, was something to remember.  We took a chance to stay at a bed and breakfast called ‘Stoney Point’, a sort of old mansion on top of a hill.  We found out later on that this place was rated as the number one B&B in the state, number 3 in America, and number 14 in the world.  It’s no wonder because Paul, the host, is a real human with a big heart.  This place had charm.  The ambiance was great and it’s not what the three of us in our team are usually used to although we’ve been very lucky to stay at temples and people’s homes and on occasion, a motel.   
It was great to pull out our dolak drum and to chant in the living room with Paul and other tenants in the house.  It was as if the wood of the fireplace got lit up by the stroke of a chant.  The place became so cozy and warm.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km