PARKS: There are more than 300,000 acres of state parks in the state of Pennsylvania in 124 state parks managed by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

How many have you visited?

We had the opportunity recently to drive through parts of Cook Forest State Park and Clear Creek State Park along the Clarion River. It was a gorgeous day, and folks were taking advantage of the campgrounds and the recreation along the river.

Even in the middle of a hot afternoon, wildlife was out and about — deer, squirrels, eagles, turkey and even some large turkey vultures.

After spending time in some of the state’s larger cities, like Pittsburgh and Erie, which have beautiful sights in their own right, one can appreciate even more the greenery and peacefulness of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

There are 29 state parks in the Wilds region, eight state forests, 50 state game lands, the 500,000 acre Allegheny National Forest and the Allegheny and Clarion rivers.

There’s the largest elk herd in the northeast, some of the darkest skies in the country and a rich heritage of oil and lumber.

The land mass is 25% of the state.

There are Pennsylvania Wilds Conservation shops at Kinzua Bridge State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park. The shops feature the work of local artisans, craftspeople and producers.

The Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, is in the Wilds, in Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks.

The Elk Scenic Drive has 23 viewing sites to pull off and see the elk and other wildlife.

The point we’re making is this — how much have you seen of the lovely area where we live?