Mature Life Features

Whizzing along the pavement winding through the hills of northeastern Pennsylvania is like sailing through the treetops, which are trying mightily to change colors right now. This is hard-coal country and site of vicious battles fought by railroad barons and mine owners and workers. The scars no longer show — although  small strip-mining operations here and there recall the era — but trauma was caused by such vicious conflicts as that between Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires and strike-breaker Pinkertons imported by the mine owners. A more pleasant operation in these parts is the Yuengling Brewery, where you can stop for a tour and sudsy sip before heading back home.