Wilds Are Working: Nora’s First Week in Bellefonte
- by Guest Contributor
- July 21, 2022
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Editor’s note: This blog is by a participant of the “The Wilds Are Working: A Remote Lifestyle Experience” initiative.
An update from one of the Wilds Are Working participants, Nora Noone:
By Nora Noone
It’s already been an eventful few days in the Wilds! After a 5-day drive from California, I arrived in Bellefonte on a Sunday afternoon. I dropped things off in my apartment (an amazing carriage house off Linn Street) and headed downtown on foot.
Sunday: My first stop was beautiful Talleyrand Park, where I ran into fellow Wilds Are Working (“WAW”) participant Mandy. We walked over to Big Spring Spirits and enjoyed some delicious Blueberry Gin Mojitos and Nomad Kitchen fare. On our way back through the Park, we were treated to live music coming from the Gazebo, part of the Bellefonte Historical & Cultural Association’s weekly “Summer Sounds” program.
Monday: Fourth of July! I explored nearby State College with my family who’d driven up for the day. The highlight was eating Suzie Wong eggrolls. I made a requisite stop at Target that night, making sure to catch a view of the 4th Fest fireworks on my drive home.
Tuesday: I headed down to Bellefonte’s historic railroad station (which acts as an outdoor coworking space during the week) for a welcome event with the larger WAW and PA Wilds group. Jamie was there to document things, namely me remembering what humidity feels like!
Wednesday: I went into Springboard, Bellefonte’s indoor coworking space. I took a desk overlooking Allegheny Street and an amazingly-named antique store, “The Great Mish Mosh.” Springboard has coffee, air conditioning, and a full kitchen—all the comforts a remote worker could want (even laundry!).
Thursday: A few of us WAWers met up at Good Intent Cider for happy hour. This is one of the businesses we can use our PA Wilds gift cards at, one of the generous perks of the WAW program. We all got cider flights (try Peachy Bean!) and charcuterie provisions to take onto their string light-laced patio.
Friday: I ducked into the amazing Plumb’s Drug Store and, at the first sight of its old-time soda fountain, was immediately taken back in time. After work, I went on a walking tour with Local Historia. The tour started and ended at The Gamble Mill, a historic flour mill dating back to 1786 that’s recently been converted into a bar, restaurant, boutique, and inn. I stayed for a drink at The Republic and got excited anytime a train passed.
Saturday: I went to Axemann Brewery after a nice hike on Mount Nittany. The factory-turned-taproom overlooks Logan Branch, a rushing stream on its way to join Spring Creek. I’m a sucker for any sort of water view, so I loved this place. I’m excited to try nearby Titan Hollow soon!
Sunday: I stopped by My Café Buzz (which sits atop the diverted water that once powered the Mill, I learned on my walking tour) for a smoothie and Shuey’s roadside market for vegetables. I ended up back at Talleyrand Park’s Summer Sounds and, in the golden hour light, marveled at how quickly my first week in Bellefonte has flown by—and how happy I am to be here!
More adventures to come!
About the project:
“The Wilds Are Working: A Remote Lifestyle Experience” is an initiative that offers remote workers the opportunity to live and work in the towns in the PA Wilds. These five participants applied and were selected to spend the month of July in the town of Bellefonte, receiving free housing and a gift card that could be used at locally owned stores.
By the end of July, the hope is that these remote workers and others who hear about the initiative will be encouraged to flip the script on what they value and what they want in their work-life balance. Once they experience the quality of life in the PA Wilds (being able to do things like literally go mountain biking before your first Zoom call), they could rethink the possibilities that are available for living and working here.
Click Here to learn more about all of the participants, including Nora.
About the Author:
Nora Noone is a PA-raised, LA-based creative, with experience beyond writing in event planning, photo styling, and office management (the irony of now working from home 24/7!). She has carved out a freelance career and loves the flexibility that doing so remotely affords her. When she’s not writing, Nora can be found out taking nature walks, cooking up something from her “Imperfect Foods” weekly delivery, or planning some sort of get-together with a close-knit group of friends. She loves grabbing drinks, soaking up the sun, hunting yard sales for tchotchkes, and dipping her feet in a nice cold body of water.
