You’re On the Trail to Something Big

Enjoy the romance of fine dining with the one you love, a weekend getaway with someone special, or plan some fun activities to embrace your love of the great outdoors. During the winter months in northwestern Pennsylvania, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy your favorite passion.

TASTE THE ROMANCE

The Flickerwood Winery & Lounge in Kane, PA hosts a Valentine Wine & Chocolate Tasting that will surely sweeten your lover’s day. On Saturday, Feb. 11, the winery (located at 309 Flickerwood Road, just off of Scenic Route 6), will pair wines and chocolate delicacies. The event, which starts at noon, is the perfect way to celebrate the weekend and your love. www.flickerwood.com

Red roses, a sign of true love, are always a favorite during February. But for something different, why not combine a unique mix of flowers presented in a vase decorated with jewelry? Visit Grahams Florist and Gift Shop at 9 Kennedy Street in Bradford, PA and ask Candy to design a personalized gift for your sweetheart on this special day.

If food is your passion, while in Bradford, stop at The Grocery Stretcher, 32 Main Street, to make up a gift basket of Amish cheese and meats, adding some fresh-from-the-oven specialty breads from John Williams European Pastry Shop, located just around the corner at 20 Mechanic Street.

Check out Tortugas West Texas Bar & Grill, 109 Main Street, if you are more of a chicken wing and beer couple. This restaurant offers 34 flavors of chicken wings, including peanutbutter and jelly, whiskey BBQ, butter and garlic parmesan, cinnamon sugar, lime and jalapeno, and maple brown sugar.

One flavor that is hot right now - literally - is the Phantom wings. The chefs at Tortugas are putting out a challenge to anyone who thinks they can tackle these wings. On Sundays, if you can eat 20 Phantom wings in 20 minutes, you receive the wings for free, $10 from the chef working that day and a free drink to wash it all down. Up to the challenge? Sign up on the restaurant’s website at www.tortugasrestaurant.com.

LOVE IN THE OUTDOORS

The Marilla Winter Trek, hosted by the Tuna Valley Trail Association, is an annual event that takes place at the Marilla Reservoir on Route 346 just west of Bradford. The event takes place from noon-4pm on Saturday, Feb. 11 and includes cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, geocaching or walking the Marilla Trail System. If you are new to these winter sports, have no fear - there will be lessons on snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and guided snowshoe hikes to the top of Marilla Springs Trail. There will also be shuttles to the top of Marilla Springs Trail and refreshments available. For more information, call 814-362-9928.

Want to plan your own outdoor adventure? You will go nuts at the Country Squirrel Outfitters, located at 3 Main Street in Ridgway, which rents cross-country skis and snowshoes and sells many more items. Backpacks, clothing, equipment, hats, gloves, and goggles are just a couple of items available here. For more information, go to www.countrysquirreloutfitters.com.

ROMANCE PACKAGES

Romance Packages are available at two exclusive lodges in the Allegheny National Forest Region.

The Gateway Lodge in Cooksburg, PA offers a Valentine Romance Package which features a two-night stay in one of the lodge’s deluxe fireside Jacuzzi suites. Available Feb. 3-5 and again Feb. 10-12, this special includes breakfasts and a Saturday night candlelit chef tasting for two, complete with wine parings and live musical entertainment. Prices are $499 per couple Feb. 3-5 and $599 Feb. 10-12.

A Moonlight Romance Package is available Feb. 17-19 and 24-26. It includes two nights in a suite, breakfast both mornings and dinner one evening. Couples can also take advantage of the Spa Romance Package, which includes Elemental Nature massages, roses, champagne and chocolates. Call 814-778-8017 for reservations or click on www.gatewaylodge.com.

A Two-Night Romance Package at the Lodge at Glendorn in Bradford offers a choice of accommodations in the Main Lodge - a wonderful historic redwood grand lodge; or two nights in the master suite of a deluxe cabin. Four-star fine dining, breakfast, lunch and dinner for two are included. Chocolate covered strawberries, champagne and candles are delivered to your suite on your first night’s turndown service. In the suite, fireside couple’s Glendorn Signature massages are included with this package.

Guests also have a choice of other on-site activities such as horseback riding that will create great memories of your forest getaway. Glendorn robes and mugs are your keepsake gifts with this package. Phone 800-843-8568 or visit www.glendorn.com.

To find out more about the Allegheny National Forest Region or to request a free travel guide and map, call the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau at 800-473-9370 or log onto www.visitANF.com.