Gring's Mill Rec Area

Gring's Mill Rec Area, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Gring's Mill was the starting point for a walk on the Union Canal Trail along the Tulpehocken Creek.

Union Canal Trail (part of the Schuylkill Trail System) offers scenic views of Gring's Mill, Red Bridge (covered bridge), Berks Heritage Center, plus other sites depending on how far you venture.

Summer highlights at Gring's Mill include annual festivals and the Summer Concert Series held at the outdoor amphitheater on Sunday evenings, Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Gring's Mill also hosts the Holiday Lights Program during the month of December.

Rental space is available for large groups, with numerous recreational activities.

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum

5513 engine, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

Following the memorable Hamburg Hamburger Festival, I passed the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum which was advertising later hours and yard tours for $5.

The museum has knowledgeable volunteers leading yard tours on the weekends; five on Saturdays and three on Sundays.

They have ambitious engine and train car restoration projects, plus the whole site design and landscaping.

I have a passive interest in trains, but the volunteers were so into the history, massive machines, and railroad culture that it was easy to share their enthusiasm about trains.