Hiking in Pennsylvania is great, but here in Pine Creek Gorge at the gateway to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon it's amazing! I pulled into a Rails-to-Trails parking lot and got some hiking gear together. The smells of the forest hit me right away. Moss, wet earth and most notably ferns, caused me to take a deep breath which got me started. Walking through the towering hardwoods that stood like sentinels all around me I felt small and insignificant. Upon my return the rumbles of hunger were starting. With just a few miles to go to reach Slate Run and the Hotel Manor, I fired up the Sportster and the blast of his pipes echoed through the gorge. We cruised up the next section of road, which got narrower and with huge drop-offs to the left and lose rock cliffs to the right and there was no room for error. I reached the turnoff to Slate Run, passed Wolfe's General Store and Fly Shop and across the bridge.\r
\r
A grand structure of wood and glass, with a design somewhere between Swiss chalet and classic A-frame, awaited me on the other side. The building rose from its surroundings like a sculpture amidst the gallery of nature. Huge glass windows reflected the lines of the steep angled roof, as well as mirrored the immense deck and sparkling creek in the foreground. On the deck were market umbrellas and I could see tables and chairs underneath and most of them were filled with folks enjoying dinner.\r
\r
If the outside wasn't amazing enough, the inside just blew me away. At this point, it was clear that everything I was seeing here was new and absolutely beautiful! Since they were so busy, I just walked up to the bar to get something to wash down the dust of the road. I braced myself for the usual rural offerings of only big-batch, small-taste beers, but what I saw almost brought a tear to my eye. It was a sign that read ""Tröegs - Proudly Served at the Hotel Manor.""\r
\r
Was I still asleep and dreaming, or had I unknowingly passed through a wormhole and came out in a parallel universe where men and women realize the beauty of craft beer and going local? But maybe I had simply come across a new breed of restaurateur. Well, according to the scientific principle Acoms Razor - the simplest solution tends to be the correct one. So I asked for a cold bottle of Tröegs Rugged Trail and made for the big Adirondack chairs on the porch.\r
\r
We enjoyed our meals and chatted for an hour or so before Mark appeared again, this time bearing dessert. He sat with us while sipping coffee and told me more about his place. He is as passionate as they come and lives to serve connoisseurs, fisherman, locals and travelers like me. His place is smoke-free and he uses local produce whenever he can. The Hotel Manor is also a licensed, certified Angus Beef restaurant and Mark said he's open to accommodate all dietary needs.\r
\r
And if the spacious dining room, the fly-fishing inspired bar, and the huge deck overlooking Pine Creek weren't enough, the Hotel Manor is also as its name implies, a hotel too! Breakfast is included with your stay and I was tempted to check in for the night. However, I had my heart set on sleeping under the stars. So with the daylight beginning to wane, I thanked Mr. Zimmerman for all his generosity and taking the time to hang out with me. I also thanked Mark for his hospitality (and dessert). I mounted my bike and headed north towards my next adventure.\r
more