Meeting Blogger Friends

We have been fortunate in our years of blogging to have met several bloggers both in the U.S. and abroad. These meet-ups have always been wonderful get togethers with bloggers who had already become friends, so that an in person meeting was extra special. Several of these have lead to additional get togethers.

Linda & Bob

That was the case with our recent PA road trip which included a reunion with blog friend, Linda, and her husband, Bob. They've had visited Nashua, NH, twice before (2021 and 2023) as family live nearby in nearby Amherst, NH. 

This year, we wanted to reciprocate by visiting their home in Warren, PA. Over a series of texts, we mutually agreed on the best time. It's an 8-1/2 hour road trip between the two cities, so this visit was combined with a road trip as we really don't need too much encouragement for one. Last week's post described an overnight stop in Corning, NY, a  6-hour drive from NH, which presented the opportunity to visit the amazing Corning Museum of Glass.

Plaza Restaurant, Warren, PA

We met up with Linda and Bob late the next day, which by a happy coincidence was their 27th wedding anniversary. After asking for a restaurant suggestion, we treated them to dinner at the Plaza Restaurant in Warren. Surprises are always nice. It was great to treat our visit hosts.

The Plaza is a family-owned restaurant and a favorite downtown landmark that's been serving Greek and American comfort food for over 60 years, open daily except Sunday. If you ever have reason to visit Warren, PA, it should be a definite stop.

After dinner there was enough time and daylight for a short walking tour in downtown Warren. The city was named for doctor and Major General Joseph Warren killed June 1775 at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Most of us are familiar with the midnight ride of Paul Revere and others who rode to warn colonists that the British militia (Redcoats) were closing in to nearby towns. But, what I learned was that it was General Warren enlisted Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn the militia that the Redcoats were closing in. 

General Joseph Warren (portrait by John Singleton Copley) and Warren, PA, memorial

Fourteen U.S. states have a county or city named for this Revolutionary War hero, none in New England (unusual as Warren was born in Roxbury, MA). As for Warren, PA, the city was laid out in 1795 by General William Irvine, who named it in Warren's honor. There's a statue of General Warren in a small pocket park downtown that's named after him and is the only statue of Warren outside of Boston, MA.This one was commissioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution and unveiled on July 4, 1910. It was refurbished in 2011 when a new sword was attached to replace the original that had been missing for years. 

The 1896 (left) and 1891 views of Flatiron Building in Warren, PA

Another central landmark in downtown Warren, PA, is at the intersection of 2nd and Pennsylvania Avenues. Architecturally striking is a triangular building known as the Flatiron building. This historic eight-story triangular building dates to the late 1800s. Built of Hummelstown brownstone (dense sandstone named after the town it was quarried in), it features a clock tower with a dragon weather vane. The building's history connects to the Warren Savings Bank. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1889 and rebuilt by 1891 as the current structure. Today, it's known as the Key Bank Building and occupied by that bank. The building is referred to as the Flatiron; however, this name has never been a formal part of the record.

Historic Flatiron building in downtown Warren, PA

Directly in front of the Flatiron building, today, is a large ornate fountain. This historical fountain is located in the City Square. The fountain is known for its design that features local wildlife. It was completed in 2010 and was the centerpiece of Warren's Downtown Revitalization Project. It underwent a major renovation in 2022, which included adding a new bird statue. The fountain is a a venue for local events and a popular visitors' spot. It's been referred to as the Northwest Bank fountain and also Heritage fountain.

Veterans Memorial Bridge across Allegheny River in Warren, PA, and photo opp

Our next day's adventure was a road trip with Linda and Bob as navigators and tour guides. What would have been a half hour drive became an hour-long journey due to road closures. Our first stop was Rimrock Overlook located in Warren County in the Allegheny National Forest which offered great views of the Allegheny Reservoir.

Rimrock Overlook was a great photo opp background

The Allegheny Reservoir was created by the controversial damming of the Allegheny River in the 1960s and construction of the Kinzua dam. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the dam and its resulting reservoir created significant controversy and had a devastating impact on the Seneca Nation of Indians. 

View of Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River

Thanks to Linda and Bob we had a wonderful outing filled with a lot of information, but it wasn't over yet. The highlight of this day trip was Kinzua Bridge State Park, home to the Kinzua Viaduct, built in 1892 and once the longest and highest railroad structure in the world. Because of its long and fascinating history, that stop will be the subject of a separate next post.

If you ever have the opportunity to meet up with blogger friends, we highly recommend doing so. I'm hoping to do so again at the end of the year in NYC.