Scout Adventure #12 // A Weekend in the Woods in Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest

anna michener cabin

I've been feeling cooped up this winter. Shortly after the new year rolled around—and thanks, in part, to a plethora of snow days—cabin fever seemed to set in early. While reminiscing about summer fun a few months back, a friend and I came up with the great idea to go camping for my birthday, which is in mid-March. Let's just say it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Well, the cold weather didn't quit just because it was my birthday. The day of the trip I was relieved to find the weather was balmy. But when we started the mile-long hike into the campsite, there ground was covered in fresh snow.

anna michener cabin

Thankfully, we arrived at the campsite to find some friends had already started a rip-roaring fire. The rest of the night was filled with a campfire potluck, plenty of laughs, and even some birthday cake. What more can you ask for?

anna michener cabin

Before we knew it, our bodies had synched up with nature. We went to bed early(ish) and awoke soon after the sun came up. After some campfire eggs and pancakes (plus plenty of instant coffee), we were off on a hike to an overlook where we could laze around in the warm sunshine.

anna michener cabin

The rest of the weekend was filled with a mix of rest and relaxation. Well, at least in between all the wood chopping, fire starting, and tidying up. There's nothing like having to start a fire to boil water for coffee and washing dishes in a cold stream to make you appreciate modern amenities. The trip certainly rekindled my love for hibernating at home—at least until next weekend.

These images were taken at the Anna Michener Cabin in Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest.

Adventure Amidst the Foreign Stacks in National Libraries

Visiting a library might not top most people's vacation itineraries. Browsing the stacks is usually something done before heading out in order to find a good guidebook or something to read on the plane. The world’s national libraries, however, offer insights into the history of their countries and a chance to see some rare treasures you can't find in museums. Plus, they’re almost always located in the center of the capital, making them easy to visit. As an archaeologist and author, I’ve had the privilege of doing research in many fine national libraries. Here’s a sampling of some that are open to the public, and one that we may lose forever.

(above) The “King’s Library” at the British Library was the personal library of King George III. You can see it from the library cafeteria. Photo courtesy Andrew Dunn.

The British Library, London, UK While many national libraries are overlooked, this one gets many visitors thanks to its incredible collection of important documents and books. Here you can see the Magna Carta, beautiful illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages, a Gutenberg Bible, some of the earliest maps showing Britain, and much more. Stamp collectors won’t want to miss the huge philatelic collection next to the cafe. There’s also an excellent series of special exhibitions that tend to go beyond Britain to look at places as far away as Armenia and India. Find out more on their website.

The Divinity School at the Bodleian Library is a fine example of late medieval architecture. Photo courtesy John Lord.

The Divinity School at the Bodleian Library is a fine example of late medieval architecture. Photo courtesy John Lord.

The Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK This is by far the most beautiful library I’ve worked in. Located at the famous Oxford University, the Bodleian has been open to scholars since 1602. Like the British Library, it’s a copyright library and strives to have every book ever published in the United Kingdom. The behind-the-scenes tour takes you through the stacks to the elegant 17th century Duke Humfrey’s Library and the 15th century Divinity School, two architectural jewels familiar to fans of the Harry Potter films. There’s also a free museum with book-related exhibitions. Past shows have ranged from Renaissance magical texts to Arthurian romance.

The grandiose exterior of the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

The grandiose exterior of the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Biblioteca Nacional de España, Madrid, Spain The Biblioteca Nacional is a bit harder to get inside as a reader, thanks to some idiot a few years ago who cut up dozens of old atlases and smuggled out the maps to sell on the black market. Luckily there are still tours that take you to the reading room and the book-themed museum. Here you can see first editions of Don Quixote, early maps from Spain’s Age of Exploration, and much more.

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A 15th century Ethiopian portrait of the Negus (king) of Lalibela, from the Institute of Ethiopian Studies collection. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

National Library, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

At the center of the lush and relaxing campus of Addis Ababa University stands one of Haile Selassie’s old palaces. The ground floor is dedicated to the library of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies. Readers sit in what was once the throne room. Upstairs is the Institute’s museum with its extensive collection of art and artifacts from the nation’s many ethnic groups. The top floor is still preserved as it was when the Emperor lived here. The tour takes you through his bedroom, private chambers, and even his baby-blue bathroom.

Al-Assad National Library, Damascus, Syria My first experience studying in a national library was in 1994, when I spent several wonderful weeks visiting the ancient sites of Syria. I also did some research in the national library. It was here that I had a little incident that remains clear in my mind and reminds me how insidious sexism can be even for well-meaning men.

I’d been traveling in the Muslim world for several months and had become accustomed to seeing only men in positions of authority. When I went in to the National Library in Damascus to apply for a reader card the guy at the desk sent me upstairs to speak with the head librarian. I walked into the office indicated and saw a woman sitting behind a desk with a man standing next to her looking at some papers. I looked at the woman, then at the man, who nodded, and I realized it was the woman who was the head librarian. I turned back to her just in time to see her getting a frown off her face. Not one of my best moments. Nevertheless I got a reader card and spent many happy hours reading their excellent collection of archaeological journals.

As of January of this year the library was still standing. I have no idea what happened to the people I met there, or any of the Syrians who showed me hospitality on that trip. Hopefully they and their important library will survive the war.

Recipes from Abroad // Learning Where Chocolate Comes From in Mindo, Ecuador

Quality chocolate is hard to come by in Ecuador. The good stuff may be grown inside the country's borders, but Ecuadorians rarely get a taste—most of it is saved to be exported. In all honesty, it is pretty safe to say that most baked goods in Ecuador are not on par with my expectations from back home in the U.S. The cookies are too crumbly and the cakes fall a little flat.

I don't mean to knock Ecuadorian bakers. There's a real reason why the treats are mediocre. That familiar yellow box with the arm and the hammer? You just won't find it on shelves here. Baking soda is a controlled substance that can only be purchased from a pharmacy in small quantities.

Needless to say, after living in Ecuador's capital city, Quito, for several months, I was definitely craving sweets. When my friend mentioned there was a “Chocolate Tour” that we could take on our mini-vacation to Mindo, I had my fingers crossed that my $3 would buy some quality baked goods. As it turns out, El Quetzal makes some deliciously rich and smooth chocolate that fully satisfied my cravings—and everything is grown and made right in Mindo.

Mindo Chocolate Tour - The BE

This is where it all begins. Who knew?

Mindo Chocolate Tour: beans

The “pods,” the “nibs,” and the beans. The slimy outside of the pods tasted melon-y.

Mindo Chocolate Tour: Fermentation

The pods get taken here to ferment in boxes.

Coffee Drying

Next we went to the drying tent.

Dried chiles.

El Quetzal was drying chiles for some spicy chocolate experimentation.

Mindo Chocolate Cocoa Goo

Next the beans are roasted. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture—I think at this point I was mainly concerned with eating the chocolate. Which means I took a rather generous sample of this cocoa-goo that tasted awfully bitter without any sugar added.

Ecuador chocolate bars

A whole bunch of other stuff happens, and then voila! Chocolate bars. (Hey, I can’t give away all their secrets)

At the conclusion of the tour, you get to nibble on a brownie and then choose either a scoop of homemade ice cream or a hot chocolate to enjoy. Did I mention an Ecuadorian specialty is to melt cheese into hot chocolate? I will spare you the details of my stringy hot chocolate misadventure, but I would like to say that the chocolate tour in Mindo is well worth your money. If you’re like my friends and me, you’ll probably go back the next day to buy more brownies to snack on during the bus ride home. And to hoard for breakfast throughout the next week.