Here are some photos that I took while on my trip that I have not yet posted. This is what I typically see as I drive through north central PA where our family and friends live. Nothing but trees, mountains, farms, homes, some smaller businesses and on occasion you might see some wild turkeys, bears, deer and even a fox or two.
Until recently....the big companies are drilling for natural gas all throughout the area. Mostly what people talk about are the gas royalties they are getting from the mineral rights on their land. Many folks have become what the rest of us might consider rich from the natural gas drilling.
As I crested the top of this hill .....this is what I saw:
Hmmmm, that does not look like anything I've seen before.....almost surreal....
So, from an absolutely amazing view of the farm, corn, barns silos.....comes this giant tower/rig.
Now this is what the farmers back field looks like.....almost like a small city complete with trailors....dumpsters.....a parking lot.....storage tanks......
As I crested the top of this hill .....this is what I saw:
Now this is what the farmers back field looks like.....almost like a small city complete with trailors....dumpsters.....a parking lot.....storage tanks......
I hope when they are finished it still looks like this.....without any ill affects on the environment and those that I love.
Smiles,
Kelly
Kelly, I know what you mean about the gas wells. They are just all over in my area of PA too. We have a well less than 1/2mi. from our home and yesterday I heard this noise (kinda like a roar)-it was flames coming out of the pipe at the gas well. The amount of traffic is unreal for a "quiet rural area". I know that it has kept the economy going in this area during a bad time but ultimately is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed your time in PA!
It is sad to see that type of progress, I don't think I would want to live like that.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I have the same fears. We all need to figure ways to solve our energy needs without this. Responsible wind and solar have got to take top priorities.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying you get your wish. The devastation of the BP explosion in the Gulf of Mexico will remain for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful scenery....and I am sure, time will tell as far as the environment.
ReplyDeleteOh no. I hate natural gas - with all the explosions recently [CA, a furniture store here that killed two, and recently PA] it terrifies me. And to see this beautiful countryside altered in such a way....oh dear. Although, I must say I'm glad someone is making money in this economy.
ReplyDeleteSure is sad to see the nature over run with "progress". Have you seen the documentary "Gaslands"? I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of allowing this on their land. Quite interesting and sad to see what some people are going through now that their lands have been drilled on. Not sure a payday would be worth the health of my family. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe before photo's look so lovely. I hope that it is all worth it but Man seems to dirty alot of what nature has.
ReplyDeleteYup, looks like home to me. And that area is really rich in natural gas.
ReplyDeleteAmen, my friend, AMEN!
ReplyDeleteYes, Kelly, I hope they can leave it fairly unmarked too so all we'll see is in your 'pipe/fence' picture. AND we do need our fuels to come from our own country instead of IMPORTING. Doesn't the gas burn cleaner too? We need to conserve our useage of all!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing our concern, Kelly, and we are indeed concerned.
ReplyDeleteI live in southeastern Washington state and they have ruined all our scenery with windmills. We took a trip last month to Maui and they have even ruined the sunset with more windmills. They seem to be everywhere with no end in sight. I try and tell myself that the power generated is worth it but more times than not the blades on the windmills are standing still an no power is being generated.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean they have taken over the farming fields? Are the farms not producing, just living off the riches from the gas companies? The first pictures were beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the 4th photo (barn scene). It'd look great framed.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing photos of my home state of PA. It really brought back a lot of memories!
ReplyDeleteMicki
I was really homesick when I looked at the photos at the beginning of your blog, but now I just feel sick. I left northern PA a few decades ago, and have only gotten to go back a couple of times since. None of this stuff was where I happened to be a few years ago, and I hope that it never is! Progress is just not all it's cracked up to be, and sometimes money is just not as valuable as what you must give up to get it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful day for a lovely drive.
ReplyDeleteSewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Wow, the photos of the unblemished countryside are really beautiful, but it must be heartbreaking to see what the gas drilling has done to that area. I think that would be really painful to see my childhood homelands "developed" in that way.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful. Trees are very difficult to grow here, because of the wind.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see our farmlands being used like that. I hope they don't completely ruin the land, trees, water, wildlife, etc.
ReplyDelete