What do you LOVE About Cameron County?

I wrote this post 1 year ago -- and felt that it wasn't the time to share it. Now -- I'm really proud of how far this project has come in the last year, and as we begin Phase 2 and collect your stories I'm so humbled by the stories people are sharing with us, the trust they have that we'll honor them and the faith they have that we can build bridges and make people feel heard. Please enjoy a little bit of what I LOVE about Cam Co, one thing that makes me #CamCoProud

This is my Cameron County. 

Ok *technically* the fore ground is Potter County...
​but that view...way out there...That's Cameron County.
The Salt Run Vista over looks Salt Run, and Salt Run, weaves its way into Cameron County, and I spent many summer days at Andrews Farm bothering Poor Mr. Andrews -- by hunting for his barn cats, riding my bike through his yard to build dams, fish or just wade in the water under the Salt Run Bridge on Nickler Road, or riding my bike over that bridge to see Ms. Ada Drum for snack and a story.  Upon moving back home,  when I was pregnant with my son, Elias, I would walk up the bottom portion of Salt Run Road, in the August heat, because I couldn't sit still. We even had our engagement pictures taken at Andrew's Farm -- because of how much it meant to me, and how beautiful it is.

Now, you see that dirt all over my car...that dirt is from Crooked Run. Crooked Run starts where Sizerville State Park first greets its visitors, and it brings you up to Ridge Road. Ridge Road transverses a large part of Potter and Cameron County. It's so long, that the forest type actually changes from the North end to the South end, and in the fall, it's a really great place to view the leaves. 
*Side Note: If Hiking is more your thing -- The Bucktail Path does the same thing. From its start in Sizerville State Park to its End in Sinnemehoning. You can day hike portions of it (I suggest Rock Run Trail or Chicago Springs Trail) or spend a couple days hiking through this coming spring*

---

So in case you haven't noticed, yeT....
​I'm kind of a landscape person. the beauty of cameron county's outdoor space, the recreational offerings, living surrounded by state forest and state game land affords us, and the ease of getting to a dirt road --is what I love about living here.

My Kids Kind of Like Nature, Too.

I feel like this project started in my office on Fourth Street, mulling over how to bring business to our town. But it really started out there.  The places I go to find solace and rest and process everything that happens in my life.

The biggest take away I have is this -- just because this is what I love about Cameron County, it doesn't have to be what you love about living here. It doesn't make me right. It doesn't make it better.  It just makes it mine, my Cameron County Story.  It helps me frame what I think is important when decisions are being made on my behalf.  So tell me -- what helps frame what you think?  What do you LOVE about Cameron County? What keeps you here or makes you want to come back?  Finding our shared values and using them to bring change we can agree upon to our community, build pride on in our community, raise morale in our community, that's our goal. 

Kind Regards from your Neighbor,
​Jess*

If you would like to share your story or sign up to be a story gathering volunteer -- please email me: [email protected].  I'd love to talk to you further!