The Lebanon Valley offers a unique blend of urban luxuries, countryside diversions, and out of this world wildlife opportunities. During the winter months we invite you to indulge, relax and be awe-inspired!
1. Indulge
When the snow begins to fall and the threat of Cabin Fever is real, it’s time to treat yourself to a fantastic dinner. Lebanon City offers local favorite, Trattoria Fratelli, or Trat Frat as their friends refer to them.
The minute you walk into the cozy little restaurant your senses are overwhelmed with the warm and wonderful smells of baking bread and homemade pizzas from the brick oven, combined with the kitchen smells of garlic and love.
With a big glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in hand, relax into your chair and let the worries of the day slip away. A comforting dinner of Capellini Pomodoro with Colossal Crab meat comes out of the kitchen, warming up body and soul. Just make sure to save room for the Opera Fudge cake, which garners ooh’s and ahh’s every time!
2. Relax
A retreat to the historic Londonderry Inn of Palmyra may be just what you’ve been missing this winter. Away from all the hassles and stress of everyday life, you can do anything or nothing at all. The hardest decision is which of the elegant, refurbished, historic rooms to choose.
The Africa Room with its warm, dark, earthy tones and luxurious furnishings make you feel a continent away. Accented with a large giraffe figurine and painting of lions cuddling above the fireplace mantel gives the room an exotic quality.
Furnished with a soft leather chair and warmed by the heat of a gas fireplace, it’s the perfect spot to cuddle up with a good book! A relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi tub ease away the tensions and stress of the day.
In the morning, the smell of freshly brewed coffee invites you into the elegant breakfast parlor, warmed by the sun shining brightly into the room and the mouth-watering smells of freshly baked muffins and cinnamon rolls.
3. Awe-Inspiring
Tired of being stuck indoors? Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area invites us to enjoy some fresh, cold, invigorating air. Drive by snow-covered, farm fields; snow geese, with their black-tipped wings, take off from the fields, forming a v-shape in the sky as though leading the way to Middle Creek. V- shaped formations of long-necked Tundra swans join the snow geese, heading for the partially open waters.
The lake, partially covered with ice, offers just enough open water for Tundra swans to glide elegantly over the water, vying for space with migrating ducks, diving for food. Binoculars are helpful to identify the varieties of waterfowl enjoying this spot on their migration.
The surrounding fields are full of snow geese, so tightly packed together they form a snow-like covering on the ground. Then the geese take flight, filling the sky and almost blocking out the sun in their mysterious, dance-like flight that attracts and mystifies both visitors and birders. Only the snow geese know the meaning of this ritual flight!
With the cold, crisp air blowing in your open car windows, travel the tour road; listening carefully for bird song. Spot red-winged blackbirds sitting on a post, brilliantly displaying their bright red epaulets as they trill their distinctive song.
Still too early for short-eared owls and meadowlarks, the birds are returning to Middle Creek and spring will soon be here.