Travel bloggers recently voted the Laurel Highlands region as one of the top thirty emerging travel regions on the entire planet.

Someone else’s new and shiny object is another’s tried and true treasure.  Our family has been enjoying the area for many years.  As newlyweds, the Queen Bee and I skied at Bear Rocks  and Laurel Mountain.   We spent most summer weekends boating on Youghiogheny River Lake, or the “Yough” as we referred to it.  Finally, we ended up recreating on Deep Creek Lake in nearby Garrett County, Maryland.  Technically, I don’t think Garrett County is considered part of the Laurel Highlands, but they share many similarities.

If you’re out of the area, now you have a new destination for your bucket list.

The Laurel Highlands inspired many of my paintings.  Pictured below is Aurelia, a historic home situated along the National Road in Addison, PA.

A Yough Afternoon reflects a wintry day on the Youghiougheny River.

Visit my Outdoor and Rural collections to see more Laurel Highlands inspiration.