Welcome to “It’s Not That Far,” a travel blog dedicated primarily to destinations within an easy drive of eastern Pennsylvania. I say “primarily” because we will stray beyond that boundary on occasion — such as when I take a longer trip that I think is noteworthy. But for the most part, we will visit the exciting and interesting places within two hours of home – which, to me, is the Lehigh Valley.

Unlike many other bloggers, I am an experienced newspaper journalist and writer. That means I know what questions to ask and how to present the answers in an interesting and readable story format for your enjoyment. First, let me answer a question that has probably already occurred to you: What is there to do within two hours of eastern Pennsylvania?

Dutch Springs, a former quarry now used for scuba and swimming, is one of many unique destinations in our region.

A lot.

One of the things that has fascinated me during a long career of professional people-watching is that many of us will travel thousands of miles to see something we probably wouldn’t bother with if it was in our own neighborhood. That’s just silly. There are stretches of the Delaware River every bit as scenic as the Colorado, if you know where to look. The Mercer Museum in Doylestown is as fascinating as the Smithsonian. Independence Hall is the birthplace of a nation that was preserved at the Gettysburg Battlefields. The Allentown Art Museum may not be big but it can be as enticing as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Five miles to one side of where I sit, there are jasper mines dating back 11,000 years. Five miles the other way is where the transistor ushered in our modern technological age. There are many, many attractions here — enough to keep us busy for a long, long time.

And they are all close to home.

So let’s get going. After all, It’s Not That Far.