Hello! I have a friend who also hails from Pennsylvania (though the Western portion), and another who is pursuing his doctorate there; I've therefore been in the state a few times, and happen to find it among the most beautiful in the country. The word "sylvan" (as per the name) barely begins to describe it. My friend's family is part of the Pennsylvania Dutch community, and so he is fascinated by the traditional aspects of that cultural group. Perhaps you're familiar with it, as well?
Glad to have you back on the forums after the move, Wombat!
"There is no such thing on earth as an uninteresting subject; the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person."
- G.K. Chesterton