You will "Fall Into The GAP"

One doesn't just go to West Newton, Pennsylvania. It's not this great, glitzy, trendy city for the kids, nor is it a bustling job hub for movers and shakers. In fact, most of the inhabitants travel elsewhere for work and entertainment (hint: West Newton is about 55 minutes south of Pittsburgh). No, it seems that the only claim to fame that this pioneer town that was founded in 1788 has is the Youghiogheny Bike Trail, which is one of the smaller trails that are part of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). You had heard cool things about this trail, and decided to look it up.

The Great Allegheny Passage is a disused railway track that's been converted into a multi-use path, and goes through Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Yough Trail runs along the Youghiogheny River, and is primarily used for hiking, biking and backpacking. You decided that you wanted to check it out this spring, because that's what the West Newton website advised was the best time, and you also learned that the Bright Morning Bed and Breakfast housed trailblazers, and was next to the trail itself. Their website said that they had 13 well-equipped rooms spread between four historic houses. You decided to book right away for you and your main.

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Spring has arrived! You've packed up the car, and with your honey in tow, you head out. You know that you're in the right place when, as you travel on Pennsylvania State Route 136 East, you see the Welcome To West Newton sign. You pass a car dealership and a Rite Aid Pharmacy on your left, and oh! There's the Trailside Restaurant that you read about on the right. You have plenty of time to check that out, though.

You take the left before the West Newton Bridge, where you cross the trail, and hang another left that brings you to Bright Morning. It looks just like the pictures online: 4 houses right next to each other with big homestead-like porches. You're just in time for the 3 PM check in, so you both grab your luggage and go in. You're given the room key and you go to where you'll be spending the next couple of days. The room is spacious, the bed looks comfy (you both collapse on it...it is comfy), and you love the private bath. No time to relax...you're hungry, so you decide to explore this town.

You jump back in the car and drive towards the bridge. You make a mental note of the Fox's Pizza Den that is steps away from the B&B... good to know. You drive across the bridge, neither one of you even bothering to turn navigation on. As you see the quaint main street of downtown West Newton ahead, you notice a Subway restaurant that overlooks the Yough River and decide to stop there for dinner. After you enjoy your sandwiches, you leave your car in the parking lot to stroll down the street and look around.

You both pass by the local businesses: a law firm, a couple of banks, a men's barbershop that only takes walk-ins! You see the Cornerstone Building apartment, which is mentioned in the tourist brochure you both are looking at. It seems that building has been in the heart of downtown forever!

You circle back to the car and to the B&B (first stopping at Rite Aid for snacks). You head up to your room, grabbing a six-pack of beer from the bar to enjoy a relaxing evening, binge watching shows on Netflix on your Google Chromebook (no television in the room, but they do have Wi-fi).

You're both up at 6 AM to get ready to take on the trail. At 7 AM, you head down to the dining area for a breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage. Once your tummies are full, you head out to your car and drive the short distance to the Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters, the area's canoe and kayak rental service. They have a travel package deal where you can pick your biking destination on the trail, then they will meet you there with your rented canoe or kayak. They bring your bikes back to the base while you float down the Yough, and then you can pick them up when you get back. This sounds right up your alley, so you purchase the 2-hour trip from Cedar Creek Park.

After you sign the paperwork and pay for the trip, you head over to the West Newton Bike Shop to rent a couple of bikes. You see that the shop is right under the Trailside Restaurant. You know that you'll be going there tonight.

After you pick out the bikes and purchase them, you and your main leave the the shop, walk them to the trail, and you're on your way. It's a pleasant spring day for a bike ride; not too hot, not too chilly. You see others making use of the day as they bike or walk the trail. There's a lot of nature to take in as you bike your way to Cedar Creek Park, that has direct access to the Great American Passage.

You get to the park, stop at a vending machine to get some water, and there you see the canoe guys! They take out the canoe with a paddle (apparently, there's minimal paddling needed on the Yough.) They ran over the basics with the both of you earlier, so you felt confident that you won't overturn it! They help you into the canoe, and push you off the embankment, sending you down the river, opposite the way you came. The canoe guys reassured you that your bikes will be at their shop when you get there.

As you float leisurely down the river, you have a great view of nature on each side of the river. They were right...you can see the fish in the water. It was a relaxing two hours, catching all of the sights and fresh air from the canoe. You see West Newton getting closer. As you approach the Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters, one of the guys meet you on the embankment to drag the canoe up. He helps you out, and asks how it went. Both of you answered ecstatically: "So much fun!"

After you get your bikes back to the bike shop, finally head over to the Trailside Restaurant, Pub and 6 Pack Shop, stomachs growling. It's your typical full service bar, with 20 domestic, craft and seasonal beers on draft. You both promptly order a couple beers and decide to split some BBQ wings and fries. A Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game is on the TV, and rock music softly plays in the background as you enjoy your meal. Satisfied, you pay your bill and take the trail back to the canoe place. You both are pretty tired from your adventure.

The sun sets as you get in your car and drive back to the B&B, both of you happy that you checked out the trail, and West Newton in general. It's not a big city, but there's definitely a lot to do and fun to be had.

So, what about you? Does this guide pique your curiosity of this GAP town? Let me know at [email protected]